Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th Edition
The Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Manual plays a vital role in preparing acupuncture students for safe practice, state licensure and certification by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). The manual summarizes best practices in acupuncture needling and related topics and is intended to support the work done in introductory acupuncture technique courses in accredited acupuncture and herbal medicine programs.
The information in this manual contributes to the educational curricula in the areas of acupuncture & herbal medicine office procedure safety, bloodborne pathogens, and risk reduction concerning acupuncture and other adjunctive therapies as practiced in private practice, conventional and complementary alternative medicine integrated clinical settings, and in the teaching clinics in accredited programs.
Notice to CCAHM CNT Candidates: The CNT Manual is required reading for the course. Each lecture module specifies reading requirements, however candidates are responsible for reading the manual in its entirety. While candidates are encouraged to download/print and use the manual throughout the lecture modules portion of the course, any use of the manual is strictly prohibited during the written and practical exams.
CNT MANUAL (latest revision 2/24)
Permissions: The CNT Manual (7th edition) is a copyrighted publication. Permission is granted to download, print and/or reproduce the unedited manual from this website only. As the manual is periodically updated, printing or reproduction from any other website may result in obtaining obsolete content. The Council does not provide hard copies of the manual. Any person may link to the CNT Manual on the Council website without securing permission. No content of the CNT Manual may be translated into any language unless the translator has entered into a prior written agreement with Council.
Intended Audience: The CNT Manual is intended for use primarily by state-licensed acupuncturists, students at accredited colleges, licensed healthcare professionals in other disciplines and non-U.S. acupuncturists. The manual is not intended for use by persons without formal training and regulatory authorization to practice acupuncture.
Disclaimers: The manual focuses on safety and is not a guide to appropriate treatment for particular health conditions. While the manual is intended to reflect best practices as of the date of publication, opinions as to best practices may differ and change over time. Ongoing study and debate concerning best practices within the academic and practitioner communities is encouraged. The Council assumes no liability for any injury that may occur as a result of a practitioner's use of, or reliance upon, any safety protocol contained in this manual.
Comments: Comments concerning the content of the CNT Manual are welcomed. Please reference the specific page(s) in the manual and a specific source that supports the comment (e.g. a CDC or OSHA standard or authoritative safety studies). Comments that involve an immediate safety issue will be addressed as soon as possible, but please allow up to 60 days for response. All comments will be considered when the manual is reviewed annually.