To protect the public, the state of Virginia currently requires acupuncturists seeking licensure: 1) to gradutate from a 3 year, accredited program totaling 1905 hours, at least 660 hours of which must be clinical, 2) to pass three national board certification exams and a separate Clean Needle Technique exam, 3) to complete ongoing continuing education to maintain their national board certification status. The legislation being proposed by the Virgina State Physcial Therapy Board would endanger the public by allowing the practice of acupuncture without any of the education and safety requirements currrently required to practice acupuncture. This legislation should NOT be passed. If physical therapists wish to practice acupuncture, then they should become properly educated and licsensed to do so.