3 years is the minimum agreed training standard for the AFPA.
AFPA agreed professional standards for Acupuncture Education and Training in Ireland are informed by established of acupuncture training programmes in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and The World Health Organisation Guidelines for Acupuncture training and HETAC level 7 standards for Complementary Medicine.
The criteria for meeting AFPA standard of Acupuncture Training Courses:
Introduction
AFPA requirement for Acupuncturists is that training programmes meet the professional requirements as agreed by the Board and the membership so that their graduates can meet the agreed professional practice requirements.
Essential Competences & Standards
Professional acupuncturists should meet the following criteria on completion of their training, incorporating all learning outcomes, in order to achieve the agreed professional standard of AFPA for membership and practice. (HETAC Level 7 standards for complementary medicine refer to these).
They should have an integrated knowledge, understanding and a systematic approach to care within the domain of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.