State of Arizona Acupuncture Board of Examiners—Board should improve its processes for issuing licenses and certificates, revise its complaint resolution process, and improve its provision of public information

The State of Arizona Acupuncture Board of Examiners (Board) regulates the practice of acupuncture in the State by issuing acupuncture licenses and auricular (ear) acupuncture certificates, investigating and resolving complaints, and providing information to the public about licensees and certificate holders. We found that the Board has not consistently obtained all licensing information before issuing licenses, and has renewed some licenses without verifying compliance with continuing education requirements. In addition, although the Board generally resolves complaints in a timely manner, the Board’s complaint resolution process is not adequately designed to protect the public and the Board has not developed complaint-handling policies and procedures to appropriately guide staff. Finally, the Board did not consistently provide accurate information about licensees and certificate holders over the phone.