Professional codes

The British Acupuncture Council is committed to ensuring that all patients receive the highest standard of professional care during their acupuncture treatment. Our Code of Professional Conduct governs ethical and professional behaviour, while the Code of Safe Practice sets benchmark standards for best practice in acupuncture. All BAcC members are bound by these codes.

All members are accountable to the BAcC for their professional behaviour and the codes are rigorously enforced. If members break the BAcC’s rules they can be cautioned or have conditions placed on their practice. In more serious cases, members may be removed or suspended from the BAcC register.

Although we are currently a voluntary self-regulating body, our reputation as the lead body for acupuncture in the UK means any sanctions we impose are taken seriously.

Underlying these codes are the British Acupuncture Council Standards of Practice for Acupuncture that BAcC has created to set out the practices that our members should adhere to.

Professional conduct

The Code of Professional Conduct sets out the high standards of personal and professional conduct required of BAcC members.

Concerns about a member’s behaviour should be referred to our Professional Conduct Officer who will explain the formal complaints procedure and collect preliminary details. Complex cases may take some time to resolve because of the need for thorough and impartial investigation.

Please see our Complain about a BAcC Acupuncturist page for more details.

Safe practice

The British Acupuncture Council believes patient safety is paramount. All BAcC members are required to meet and maintain the standards for safe acupuncture practice set out in our Code of Safe Practice.

The BAcC Standards of Practice for Acupuncture

The BAcC Standards of Practice for Acupuncture reflect the artistry of professional practice expected of an experienced practitioner.

There are six standards that our members work to.

• Practice context
• Diagnosis and treatment
• Communications and interaction
• Safety
• Professional development
• Business management