§ 18.15. Practice responsibilities of acupuncturist who is not a medical doctor.

 (a)  Responsibilities to patient. In relation to the acupuncture patient, the acupuncturist shall comply with the following:

   (1)  Received, in writing, from the acupuncturist supervisor, approval to initiate acupuncture treatment.

   (2)  Comply strictly with conditions or restrictions that may be placed on the course of acupuncture treatment by the acupuncturist supervisor.

   (3)  Not diagnose a physical or mental ailment or condition or prescribe or dispense a drug.

   (4)  Comply strictly with sterilization standards relative to aseptic practices.

 (b)  Responsibility to acupuncturist supervisor. In relation to the acupuncturist supervisor, the acupuncturist shall comply with the following:

   (1)  Consult promptly with the acupuncturist supervisor regarding a new ailment or condition or a worsened ailment or condition of an acupuncture patient.

   (2)  Consult with the acupuncturist supervisor upon request of either the acupuncturist supervisor or the acupuncture patient.

   (3)  Practice acupuncture only under the general supervision of an acupuncturist supervisor.

 (c)  Scope of acupuncturist’s responsibility.

   (1)  An acupuncturist is responsible solely for acupuncture evaluation and acupuncture treatment. The medical diagnosis is the responsibility of the acupuncturist supervisor.

   (2)  An acupuncturist is not required to practice acupuncture in the physical presence of the acupuncturist supervisor or at the location where the acupuncturist supervisor provides medical services. Where the acupuncturist may provide acupuncture services, and whether the acupuncturist may provide acupuncture services without the acupuncture supervisor being physically present, shall be determined by the acupuncture supervisor.

 (d)  Identification of acupuncturist. An acupuncturist who is not a medical doctor shall wear a tag or badge with lettering clearly visible to the patient bearing his name and the title ‘‘acupuncturist’’. The use of the word doctor on this tag or badge is prohibited.