Florida Acupuncture Physician
Scope of Practice
In Florida, a licensed Acupuncture Physician is legally recognized as a
Primary Care Provider under Florida Statute Chapter 457.
At Díaz Acupuncture & Integrative Health, your care goes beyond symptom management. As a Florida-licensed Acupuncture Physician, Adalys E. Díaz uses modern diagnostic tools alongside Eastern medicine principles to uncover root causes and build a treatment plan designed specifically for you.
As your Acupuncture Physician, Adalys is authorized under Florida law to:
- Order laboratory tests and interpret results
- Order radiological imaging
- Perform physical examinations
- Provide nutritional counseling and lifestyle medicine
- Prescribe and administer herbal and homeopathic therapies
- Perform acupoint injection therapy
- Refer patients to other healthcare providers when needed
Ready to Experience True Integrative Primary Care?
What This Means for You as a Patient
When you come to Díaz Acupuncture & Integrative Health, you are working with a Florida-licensed Acupuncture Physician who can serve as your primary care home, ordering your annual labs, reviewing results in detail, creating a personalized treatment plan, and referring you to the right specialist when needed.
This is integrative primary care, evidence-based, root-cause focused, and completely personalized to you.
SECTION: Florida Statute — Chapter 457 (Updated 2024)
457.102 Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Acupuncture" means a form of primary health care, based on traditional Chinese medical concepts and modern Eastern medical techniques, that employs acupuncture diagnosis and treatment, as well as adjunctive therapies and diagnostic techniques, for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and the prevention of disease. Acupuncture shall include, but not be limited to, the insertion of acupuncture needles and the application of moxibustion to specific areas of the human body and the use of electroacupuncture, Qi Gong, oriental massage, herbal therapy, dietary guidelines, and other adjunctive therapies, as defined by board rule.
(2) "Acupuncturist" means any person licensed as provided in this chapter to practice acupuncture as a primary health care provider.
(3) "Board" means the Board of Acupuncture.
(4) "License" means the document of authorization issued by the department for a person to engage in the practice of acupuncture.
(5) "Department" means the Department of Health.
(6) "Oriental medicine" means the use of acupuncture, electroacupuncture, Qi Gong, oriental massage, herbal therapy, dietary guidelines, acupoint injection therapy and other adjunctive therapies.
(7) "Prescriptive rights" means the prescription, administration, and use of needles and devices, restricted devices, and prescription devices that are used in the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine.
64B1-3.001 Definitions — Adjunctive Therapies
Adjunctive therapies shall include but not be limited to:
(a) Nutritional counseling and the recommendation of nonprescription substances which meet the Food and Drug Administration labeling requirements, as dietary supplements to promote health;
(b) Recommendation of breathing techniques and therapeutic exercises;
(c) Lifestyle and stress counseling;
(d) The recommendation of all homeopathic preparations approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Homeopathic Pharmacopeia Committee; and
(e) Herbology.
64B1-4.011 Diagnostic Techniques
Diagnostic techniques which assist in acupuncture diagnosis, corroboration and monitoring of an acupuncture treatment plan or in making a determination to refer a patient to other health care providers shall include: traditional Chinese medical concepts and modern oriental medical techniques, recommendation of home diagnostic screening; physical examination; use of laboratory test findings; use of imaging films, reports, or test findings; office screening of hair, saliva and urine; muscle response testing; palpation; reflex; range of motion; sensory testing; thermography; trigger points; vital signs; first-aid; hygiene; and sanitation.
64B1-4.012 Acupoint Injection Therapies
Effective March 1, 2002, adjunctive therapies shall include acupoint injection therapy which shall mean the injection of herbs, homeopathics, and other nutritional supplements in the form of sterile substances into acupuncture points by means of hypodermic needles but not intravenous therapy to promote, maintain, and restore health; for pain management and palliative care; for acupuncture anesthesia; and to prevent disease.
64B1-9.007 Advertising — Authorized Titles
It shall not be considered false, deceptive, or misleading for any persons licensed or certified under Chapter 457, F.S., to use the following initials or terms:
L.Ac. — Licensed Acupuncturist
A.P. — Acupuncture Physician
D.O.M. / Dipl. OM — Doctor / Diplomate of Oriental Medicine
R.Ac. — Registered Acupuncturist
Frequently Asked Questions:
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No. A Florida-licensed Acupuncture Physician is a distinct primary care provider trained in a four-year graduate Master’s-level program in Eastern medicine, including western medicine, biomedical sciences, injection therapy, and clinical practice.
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To become licensed in Florida, an Acupuncture Physician must complete a four-year graduate Master's-level program in Eastern medicine — which includes Western medicine, biomedical sciences, injection therapy, and clinical practice hours. Upon graduation, candidates must pass the Florida licensure examination, currently approved by the Florida Board of Acupuncture as the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) Exam. This comprehensive board examination consists of five modules: - Foundations of Oriental Medicine - Acupuncture - Point Location - Biomedicine - Chinese Herbology. Only upon passing all required boards and meeting all state requirements is a candidate granted licensure as an Acupuncture Physician in Florida.
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Yes. Under Florida law, Acupuncture Physicians are authorized to order laboratory tests. At Díaz Acupuncture & Integrative Health, we order standard wellness panels through Quest Diagnostics (covered by most major insurances) and functional medicine labs for deeper root-cause analysis.
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Yes. Florida law authorizes Acupuncture Physicians to order radiological imaging. When imaging is clinically appropriate, we can order it — and we will always refer you to the right specialist if findings require further evaluation.
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Yes. Physical examinations are within the authorized scope of practice for Florida Acupuncture Physicians. We offer Functional Medicine Annual Physical Exams that go far beyond a conventional physical — including comprehensive lab review, health history, lifestyle and nutritional assessment, and a personalized wellness plan.
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Absolutely. Integrative primary care does not mean doing everything alone. When your care requires a specialist — a cardiologist, endocrinologist, neurologist, or any other provider — we coordinate that referral. Your health always comes first.
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Yes. Several insurance plans provide coverage for acupuncture treatments. At Díaz Acupuncture & Integrative Health we are in-network with Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, VA, and select Medicare Advantage programs. We also bill out-of-network for BCBS members. Contact us to verify your specific coverage. Discount packages are available for out-of-pocket patients.