Wongu Program Approved by California

After months of planning, adjusting and applying, Wongu University’s Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM) program has finally been approved by the California Acupuncture Board to be listed as a board-approved training program. This means that Wongu students are now qualified to sit for the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE). Unlike most other states, the California Acupuncture Board only allows students who graduated from an approved program to sit for the CALE. A program can be approved if it meets certain requirements, such as being accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) and offering at least 3,000 hours of education and training. With this new approval, Wongu students have the option to become licensed in California if they choose to do so. You can find the list of approved programs here: www.acupuncture.ca.gov/students/schools.shtml

Due to a large community of Asians and a general culture of heightened interest in wellness and healthcare, California is a fantastic place to practice acupuncture as there is high demand. As of 2021, California has the largest number of licensed acupuncturists (LAc.) by far with 3282 certified diplomates according to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). The next closest is New York with 1821 certified diplomates. It is apparent that acupuncture is very common and accepted, resulting in a big market for future acupuncturists to tap into.

Huge shoutout to Dr. Wong, Dr. Lee, Dr. Wellman, and Dr. Brandt for all their hard work and effort to make this possible! Thanks to them, this opens up a whole new world of possibilities for Wongu students.