Acupuncturist License Renewal
Acupuncturist licenses are renewed annually through MELS (Mississippi Enforcement and Licensure System), per Mississippi Law.
Fee: $150 annually, plus a convenience fee, payable through MELS. View full fee schedule.
Renewal cycle: Biennial (every two years).
CE requirement: 30 hours of acupuncture-related continuing education per two-year cycle. A current 4-year NCCAOM recertification is also accepted (per Mississippi Administrative Code, Part 2625, Rule 1.9).
How to Renew
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Log in to MELS
Sign in at the MELS gateway using your existing username and password.
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Certify your CE compliance
Confirm you have completed 30 hours of continuing education within the current biennial renewal period.
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Complete your renewal in MELS
Follow the prompts in MELS to complete your renewal.
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Submit the renewal and pay
Pay the biennial renewal fee through MELS.
Continuing Education Requirements
Each licensed acupuncture practitioner must complete 30 hours of continuing education within each biennial renewal period. Hours must be from a Board-approved continuing education provider.
If a licensee does not obtain the required hours, the license may be renewed for just cause as determined by the Board, provided the deficient hours and unpaid fees are made up during the following renewal period in addition to the current requirements. If a licensee fails to make up deficient hours or unpaid fees, the license will not be renewed until all fees are paid and all required hours are completed and documented to the Board.
Late Renewal
License expired but not lapsed
An expired license may be renewed at any time within 90 days after expiration upon filing of an application for renewal and payment of the renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date. If the license is not renewed within 90 days after expiration, the licensee must pay the renewal fees plus a late fee set by the Board.
License Expired More Than Four Years
License cannot be renewed after 4 years
A person who fails to renew his or her license within four (4) years after expiration may not renew that license, and it may not be restored, reissued, or reinstated. The person may apply for and obtain a new license by:
- Taking and passing a suitable examination, or demonstrating continued practice and continuing education acceptable to the Board; and
- Paying all fees that would be required if an initial application for licensure were being made.
Inactive Status
While a license is valid, or expired but not lapsed, the licensee may request that the license be placed on inactive status. While on inactive status, the licensee is not subject to fees or continuing education requirements. To reactivate, the licensee must demonstrate good standing, pay reactivation fees, meet continuing education requirements equivalent to those that would have been met in the preceding two years, and establish that they are qualified to practice.
Questions?
Contact the Board at 601.987.3079 or through the Contact the Board page.
Mississippi Administrative Code: For complete rules governing this license type, see Mississippi Administrative Code, Part 2625 (Acupuncturist rules) on our Laws, Code & Policies page.