To become licensed in Washington state in acupuncture (L.Ac.), an applicant must have graduated from a Washington-approved school and be nationally certified in acupuncture by the NCCAOM. The applicant must have completed at least 450 hours in biomedical science with study in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pathology and medical referral. In addition to at least 750 hours of acupuncture academic education, he or she must also have completed 500 hours of clinical training. The Seattle Institute is an approved school in Washington and its program exceeds all state requirements. For more information on Washington state regulation of acupuncture and Oriental medicine contact: Acupuncture Division, Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, WA, www.doh.wa.gov.