New Independent Occupational Code for Acupuncturists: 29-1291

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has just published its proposed 2018 BLS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) changes. BLS announcement of the publication of the July 22, 2016 federal register showed Acupuncturists now have an independent SOC! It is Code #29-1291.

The report explained “Multiple dockets requested a new detailed occupation for Acupuncturists, which are classified in 29-1199 Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners in the 2010 SOC. The SOCPC accepted this recommendation because the work performed by Acupuncturists is sufficiently distinct to reliably collect data, as required by Classification Principle 9. The SOCPC recommends establishing a new code for this occupation, 29-1291 Acupuncturists.”（ http://www.bls.gov/soc/2018/soc_responses.htm(link is external)）

“This is a monumental step forward for the profession.” Said by Kory Ward-Cook, Ph.D., CAE, the Chief Executive Officer of NCCAOM, who has contributed for this special over years.