Certificate of Anatomical Acupuncture
Examination Guidelines
Eligibility
Members in good standing with their licensing bodies, who are currently members of AFCI and have completed courses AA1 and AA2. For those who have not completed their training through AFCI, submit documentation with a minimum of 150 credit hours from another approved training program, or from the College of Physical Therapists of Alberta. An assessment will be made on an individual basis.
Objectives:
- To examine the candidate's knowledge as taught in the Certificate of Anatomical Acupuncture curriculum.
- To ensure safety and competency to practice acupuncture within the candidate’s scope of practice.
Format:
The written examination consists of 3 sections and is completed within a 2 1/2 hour period.
Section A: In this section, questions will be multiple choice or fill in the blanks. The questions are all taken from the course materials as summarized in the Curriculum Reviews found in each manual.
Sample written multiple choice question:
MARK AN X IN THE SQUARE OPPOSITE THE ANSWER THAT YOU FEEL IS CORRECT
1. Location of the Acupuncture Point - Large Intestine 4 is:
a) Between the first and second metatarsal bones [ ]
b) Between the lateral epicondyle of the humerus & the biceps tendon [ ]
c) Between extensor pollicis longus and brevis [ ]
d) Between the first and second metacarpal bones [ ]
e) None of the above [ ]
Section B: In this section, candidates will be required to identify points and label acupuncture points on diagrams.
Section C: In this section there will be one essay type question and a section of short answers and fill-in-the-blank questions.
The essay is a case history, for which you will need to follow this plan:
• Diagnosis
• Differential diagnosis
• Treatment principles and goals
• Acupuncture points and techniques
• Follow-up
Practical Examination Description -
View Exam Schedule by Location and Fees
Format:
Each candidate is examined for 35 minutes by a panel of three examiners.
Emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s approach to the patient, not just his/her knowledge of acupuncture.
Candidates are rated by each examiner in five areas:
1) Clinical Approach (case scenario to determine safety)
2) Treatment Approach (acupuncture treatment of conditions)
3) Safety of Practice
4) Point Location and Meridian Description
5) Needling Technique
Note: There is an automatic failure of the practical examination if the candidate demonstrates a needle direction which would be fatal to the patient; a direction or depth of needle penetration which would perforate an organ; or if the shaft of the needle is contaminated prior to insertion.
AFCI Exam Policies
AFCI Exam Policy: Candidates who have passed both the written and practical portions of the examination are awarded the Certificate of Anatomical Acupuncture and are entitled to use the designation "CAFCI" after their names.
AFCI Policy re: Written Exam Passing mark is 75%. Any candidate who fails the written component of the AFCI Examination may repeat the failed exam ONCE. The attempt must occur within two (2) years of the failed exam.
Any candidate who fails the written examination two (2) times shall not be eligible to retake the exam a third time unless the candidate first takes further training or education deemed satisfactory and pre-approved by the Director of Education Administration. If the candidate fails on the third attempt, he or she will be permanently disqualified from writing the exam.
AFCI Policy re: Practical Exam Passing mark is 75%. Failure of the practical portion of the exam may be followed by one more attempt at the practical (after at least three months waiting period) without repeating the written exam. Failure of the practical on the third attempt (following success on the written exam a second time) disqualifies the candidate permanently.
Please Note for Practical Examinations - Three examiners are at all times required as well as a minimum of 13 students registered for a scheduled location. If a practical exam is scheduled where there are no courses taking place, a minimum of 10 students must be registered for the exam or it will be cancelled, unless those who have registered are willing to pay the extra costs involved to cover the administrative expenses, traveling, hotel costs and fees for the examiners.
Privately run practical exams can be scheduled through your Provincial Chapters, if there are 10 students and the students are willing to pay a higher fee to cover expenses. Contact your Chapter President, who will make these special arrangements with the AFCI office.
AFCI Exam Appeal Process:
AFCI has a formal appeals process for the two components of the AFCI written and practical examinations. Candidates who wish to appeal their exam results must file their appeal within 21 days of the exam results letter. A copy of the Appeals Process may be obtained from the AFCI office. Make your request through the website Contact web page.
Exam Cancellation, No Show, Refund and Transfer Policies - click here