Netherlands

History

In 1972, the Dutch Working Group of (naturopathic) Practitioners NWP established a branch of the British Acupuncture Association, the Anglo-Dutch College of Acupuncture as well as the first acupuncture outpatient’s clinic. The philosophy of TCM was fundamental at this college. In 1977, some students from the Anglo-Dutch College of Acupuncture and the school of Pakua, who were all physiotherapists, initiated the NVA. From there NVA developed into a professional, strong and leading branch organisation. NVA is a member of the ETCMA from the start, being one of the founders.

All NVA members are trained in acupuncture and other TCM-modalities. They all practice acupuncture, combined with other TCM-modalities. They practice in private practices, alone or with colleagues in complementary and alternative medicine, or in practices with GP’s and/or physiotherapists, whether or not as integrative medicine. There are initiatives of integrative medicine.

Becoming a member

A full NVA-member has successfully graduated at an acupuncture/TCM institute recognised by NVA, has a Bachelor diploma in Western medicine or a basic Western Medicine certificate (WMB) of at least 40 ECTS plus extra medical training.

Visit our website www.acupunctuur.nl for more information. We even provide information about becoming a member in English at https://www.acupunctuur.nl/pages/information-in-english Be welcome to fill in the application form for membership of the Dutch Acupuncture Association. See the requirements in case of a foreign acupuncture/TCM and medical diploma (i.e. not Dutch), as well as our policy concerning commanding the Dutch language. We offer opportunities to measure up to these requirements in the first three years of your membership. The Department of Education and Science will judge your medical and professional education and will advise you if necessary. If you need help, don’t hesitate to call the NVA-office.

Requirements for continuing membership

• continuing professional education (TCM plus WM);
• professional liability insurance (collectivity available);
• certificate of good conduct;
• regular practice inspection (for free);
• complying with NVA Code of Practice;

Benefits of being NVA-member

• representation of your interests by a highly professional branch organisation;
• professional office at your service, easily accessible by phone and email;
• reimbursement by health insurance companies, depending on insurance policy of the patient;
• all information you need (p.e. about legal affairs) available on the members portal and by a weekly digital Newsletter;
• ‘Starters Guide’ to help you start a practice;
• full colour magazine Huang Ti four times a year (plus digital edition);
• PR-materials available: leaflets about complaints, brochure, NVA shield, notepads, NVA office-agenda, NVA-mug;

Laws and regulations in The Netherlands

Acupuncturists lack a legal status and are not recognised as health professional by the government, as COVID-19 pandemic once more made clear. Our profession was ranged and restricted as a so called ‘contact profession’, like hairdressers and nail stylists. However, acupuncturists do submit to laws, concerning medical treatment agreement, the Act for quality, complaints and conflicts in healthcare (Wkkgz), General Data Protection Regulation etc. In November 2021 acupuncturists were saved from closing during lockdown because of being submitted to Wkkgz. That was a big relief and a sign of recognition.

From 01-01-2022 new acupuncturists have to report their practice at the Inspection of Healthcare and Youth (IGJ). No worries, we can help you with this kind of challenges.

Of course acupuncturists pay legal taxes, although after many years of inequality and several legal fights, even at the level of the European High Court, all well qualified complementary therapists are set free from VAT.

Chinese herbs and herbal products are classified as foods and food supplements, and they can be imported based on the EU Directive on herbal products and marketed without registration or notification.

Funding of treatment

In general clients of a TCM practitioner need to pay for their own treatment. Depending on the rules of their additional health insurance a health insurance may pay for their treatment. Quite often there is a maximum for reimbursement per treatment or a maximum for an annual reimbursement. The rules for reimbursement vary per health insurance. Health insurances do require that a therapist is a member of a professional TCM organization.

NVA celebrates every 5 years NVA anniversary with a festive congress for members as well as for visitors.

Both nationally and internationally a delegation of the board visits congresses of sister organisations, p.e. the AGTCM Rothenburg congress.

The NVA board seeks cooperation with and responds to requests of cooperation from scholars, both in regular and complementary medicine, to promote acupuncture and improve its position.

• Practitioners membership: persons successfully graduated at an acupuncture/TCM institute recognised by NVA, medically trained at Bachelor level or basic level with extra medical training and practicing acupuncture (and other TCM-disciplines) in a professional setting, complying with the NVA code of Practice.

• Special membership (non-practicing): persons with the same training as NVA-practitioners, but (temporarily) not practicing acupuncture or (temporarily) not meeting the required quality standards for practicing membership.

• Aspirant (student) membership: persons studying at an acupuncture/TCM institute recognised by NVA or persons with an acupuncture diploma, studying for the required western medicine certificate.

• Senior membership (non-practicing): retired acupuncturists, still involved and interested in acupuncture and possibly active in supervising, teaching, research, writing.

• Honorary membership: persons who made great contribution to NVA or TCM society in genera