Correction – January Newsletter – Year of the Tiger

The January Newsletter – Year of the Tiger,  Legislative News section, lists questions which ‘have no answers yet’. This statement is incorrect, and the answers are listed below

Guide to the Professional Doctorate (FPD) in AOM
 

Q. What if there wasn’t a transitional doctorate available in the state of Oregon?

A. That is not possible.  The ‘title’ is controlled by the state, but the educational title is controlled by institutions. This will be available through distance learning.  Practicing and living in Oregon will not necessarily limit one’s ability to obtain a transitional Doctorate.

Q. Would there be a bifurcation of the profession? – those without the doctorate eventually retiring or stopping their practice?

A. NO, there would not be a bifurcation, as there was not after the transition to the Masters Degree.  It is important to understand that no state has required additional  education for already licensed professionals for a change in license title. This has been true in NM, FL, AR, SC and RI. Usually, through the legislative process, a state will change the title, and all previously licensed individuals are “grandfathered” into the new licensure title. This is the same situation the AOM profession encountered over 15 years ago when the educational institutions and ACAOM upgraded from a diploma program to the master’s degree. There was much concern and dissent over the presumed splitting and yet, no such split occurred. The transition was far smoother than anticipated. The majority of the students that have entered the profession at the master’s level in the last 15 years are entirely unaware of the history. And most of the practitioners who were already practicing when the upgrade occurred experience no negative effects as a result of the change in degree title.

   Q.  If there was a transitional doctorate would there be extensive or expensive course work required, or online opportunities?

A. No, it would not be expensive. A transitional doctorate is an upgrade path for people who are already practicing in the field when a new first professional degree evolves. For example, transitional doctorates are being offered to individuals who hold the master’s in physical therapy and wish to receive the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). Ideally, these programs are convenient (including distance learning), relevant, inexpensive, and take into account competencies learned though their professional experience.

Q. Also on the state level would there be a “Grandfathering” of the doctoral title by license, with or without additional educational requirements?

A. The question is not well formed.  However, Grandfathering applies only to licensure, not to earned degrees, and is defined by each states’ practice act. It is important to understand that no state has required additional education for already licensed professionals for a change in license title. This has been true in New Mexico, Arkansas,  Florida, South Carolina and Rhode Island, where the practitioners all hold a Doctorate title. Usually, through the legislative process, a state will change the title, and all previously licensed individuals are “grandfathered” into the new licensure title.

Q. Would present MAOM LAcs then be considered Doctors?

A. L.Ac., or, licensed acupuncturists with a masters degree can not call themselves “doctor”. MAOM L.A.c would only be considered doctors if they completed doctoral level courses.