ETCMA - Svenska Akupunkturförbundet Traditionell Kinesisk Medicin (SATCM)

www.akupunkturforbundet.se

Membership information

Members	288
Member categories	TCM acupuncturists and herbalists
Membership fee	Skr 2,500 + insurance fee Skr 800
Required continuing education	24 hours in a period of 2 years
Requirements for continuing membership	Practice inspections are made by the environmental health authorities.
Becoming a member	After graduation, applicants have to fill in a form and send to the association together with copies of their examination certificates of both TCM and western medicine. At the moment, there are six approved TCM schools in Sweden. The Swedish Acupuncture Association has a central examination/test for applicants.

Legal situation in Sweden

In Sweden we have two acupuncture systems: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and a Swedish invention that consists of stimulating the afferent sensory nervous system. TCM acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are classified as CAM therapies in Sweden, and by law are not allowed to be used in the official healthcare system. The afferent sensory nervous system acupuncture is the method used in the Swedish healthcare system after 14 days of training. This method is just for pain relief.

Insurance reimbursement

There is no reimbursement in Sweden for TCM or other CAM therapies.