Sec. 205.303. ACUDETOX SPECIALIST. (a) The medical board may certify a person as an acudetox specialist under this section if the person:

(1) provides to the medical board documentation that the person:

(A) is a licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed psychologist, licensed chemical dependency counselor, licensed vocational nurse, or licensed registered nurse; and

(B) has successfully completed a training program in acupuncture detoxification that meets guidelines approved by the medical board; and

(2) pays a certification fee in an amount set by the medical board.

(b) An acudetox specialist may practice acupuncture only:

(1) to the extent allowed by rules adopted by the medical board for the treatment of alcoholism, substance abuse, or chemical dependency; and

(2) under the supervision of a licensed acupuncturist or physician.

(c) A program that includes the services of an acudetox specialist shall:

(1) notify each participant in the program of the qualifications of the acudetox specialist and of the procedure for registering a complaint regarding the acudetox specialist with the medical board; and

(2) keep a record of each client's name, the date the client received the acudetox specialist's services, and the name, signature, and certification number of the acudetox specialist.

(d) The medical board may annually renew the certification of an acudetox specialist under this section if the person:

(1) provides to the medical board documentation that:

(A) the certification or license required under Subsection (a)(1)(A) is in effect; and

(B) the person has successfully met continuing education requirements established by the medical board under Subsection (e); and

(2) pays a certification renewal fee in an amount set by the medical board.

(e) The medical board shall establish continuing education requirements for an acudetox specialist that, at a minimum, include six hours of education in the practice of acupuncture and a course in either clean needle technique or universal infection control precaution procedures.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.059(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 892, Sec. 33, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.