Disciplinary Guidelines

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Acupuncture

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B1-9.001Disciplinary Guidelines

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 46 No. 126, June 29, 2020 issue of the Florida Administrative Register.

The changes are in response to JAPC comments, but are also based on public comment, and discussion and information received at the September 25, 2020 public meeting of the Board.   

 

64B1-9.001 Disciplinary Guidelines.

(1) When the Board finds any person has committed any of the acts set forth in Section 456.072(1) or 457.109(1), F.S., or a telehealth provider registered under section 456.47(4), F.S., it shall issue a final order imposing appropriate penalties as recommended in the following disciplinary guidelines. The language identifying offenses below is descriptive only. The full language of each statutory provision cited must be consulted to determine the conduct included.

(a) Attempting to obtain, obtaining, or renewing a license to practice acupuncture by: bribery, or fraudulent misrepresentations, or through an error of the Department or Board.

(Sections 457.109(1)(a), 456.072(1)(h), F.S.)

1. Error of the Department or Board

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern, or laws and rules continuing education	$1,000 fine
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Llaws and rules continuing education	$1,000 fine
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rrevocation

2. Bribery or fraudulent misrepresentation

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	$10,000 fine and revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	$10,000 fine and revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rrevocation

(b) Having a license to practice acupuncture revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the denial of licensure, by the licensing authority of another state, territory, or country.

(Sections 457.109(1)(b), 456.072(1)(f), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	Suspension and/or fine and/or continuing education revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$500 fine and suspension and/or continuing education	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Letter of Concern reprimand	Suspension and corrective action plan revocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Oone year suspension and corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(c) Being convicted or found guilty of, or entering a plea of nolo contendre to, regardless of adjudication, of a crime in any jurisdiction which relates to the practice of acupuncture or to the ability to practice acupuncture.

(Sections 457.109(1)(c), 456.072(1)(c), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Llletter of Cconcern	Suspension and/or fine and/or continuing education, $10,000 fine
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Suspension and/or fine and/or continuing education $1,000 fine	suspension or  Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Oone to two year suspension	Rrevocation

(d) False, deceptive, or misleading advertising or advertising which claims that acupuncture is useful in curing any disease.

(Section 457.109(1)(d), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	$1,000 fine
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Suspension and/or fine and/or continuing education $1,000 fine	suspension or Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	Rreprimand
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Suspension and a corrective action plan reprimand	Rrevocation

(e) Advertising, practicing, or attempting to practice under a name other than one’s own.

(Section 457.109(1)(e), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	$1,000 fine
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Suspension and/or fine and/or continuing education $1,000 fine	suspension or Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	Rreprimand
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Suspension and a corrective action plan reprimand	Rrevocation

(f) Failing to report to the Department any person who the licensee knows is in violation of this chapter or of the rules of the Department or Board.

(Sections 457.109(1)(f), 456.072(1)(i), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	$500 fine
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Suspension and/or fine and/or continuing education $500 fine	suspension or Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	Rreprimand
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Suspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(g) Aiding, assisting, procuring, employing, or advising any unlicensed person to practice acupuncture contrary to chapter 457 or 456, F.S., or to a rule of the Department or Board.

(Sections 457.109(1)(g), 456.072(1)(j), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $500 fine and continuing education	$5,000 fine and or suspension
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$5,000 fine and/or suspension	suspension or Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(h) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation placed upon a licensed acupuncturist.

(Sections 457.109(1)(h), 456.072(1)(k), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern and $500 fine	Ssuspension and $1,000 fine or revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Suspension and $1,000 $500 fine	suspension or Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(i) Making or filing a report, signed in the capacity of a licensed acupuncturist, which the licensee knows to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file a report or record required by state or federal law, willfully impeding or obstructing such filing or inducing another person to do so.

(Sections 457.109(1)(i), 456.072(1)(l), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Llette of Cconcern and $500 fine	$5,000 and or suspension
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$5,000 fine and continuing education	Ssuspension or revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(j) Exercising influence within a patient-acupuncturist relationship for purposes of engaging a patient in sexual activity, or engaging or attempting to engage a patient in verbal or physical sexual activity.

(Sections 457.109(1)(j), 456.072(1)(v), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $500 fine	$10,000 fine, suspension and or revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$5,000 fine and suspension	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rrevocation

(k) Making misleading, deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations in or related to the practice of acupuncture or employing a trick or scheme in the practice of acupuncture when such scheme or trick fails to conform to the generally prevailing standards of treatment in the community.

(Section 457.109(1)(k), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	$10,000 fine and revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	$10,000 fine and revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	Rreprimand
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(l) Soliciting patients, either personally or through an agent, through the use of fraud, intimidation, undue influence, or a form of overreaching or vexatious conduct.

(Sections 457.109(1)(l), 456.072(1)(y), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	$10,000 fine, suspension and or revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	$10,000 fine, suspension and or revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rreprimand	Rrevocation

(m) Failing to keep written medical records which are consistent with the standard of care in acupuncture.

(Section 457.109(1)(m), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern and continuing education in documentation	Reprimand and $1,000 fine
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $1,000 fine	Pprobation and or suspension
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSES	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(n) Exercising influence on the patient to exploit the patient for the financial gain of the licensee or of a third party.

(Sections 457.109(1)(n), 456.072(1)(n), F.S.

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $1,000 fine	Suspension and/or $10,000 fine, suspension and or revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$2,000 fine and suspension	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rreprimand	Rrevocation

(o) Being unable to practice acupuncture with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness, use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type of material or as a result of any mental or physical condition.

(Sections 457.109(1)(o), 456.072(1)(z), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension until such time as the licensee can provide Board’s satisfaction to demonstrate ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety	Rrevocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Ssuspension until such time as the licensee can provide Board’s satisfaction to demonstrate ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(p) Gross or repeated malpractice or the failure to practice acupuncture with that level of care, skill, and treatment which is recognized by a reasonably prudent, similar acupuncturist as being acceptable under similar conditions and circumstances.

(Section 457.109(1)(p), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern and continuing education	$1,000 fine, suspension and continuing education
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Pprobation or suspension and/or $5,000 fine	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(q) Practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope permitted by law or accepting and performing professional responsibilities which the licensee knows or has reason to know that he or she is not competent to perform.

(Sections 457.109(1)(q), 456.072(1)(o), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern and continuing education	$1,000 fine, suspension and continuing education
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Pprobation or suspension and/or $2,000 fine	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(r) Delegating or contracting for professional responsibilities by a person when the licensee delegating or contracting for such responsibilities knows or has reason to know that such person is not qualified by training, experience, or licensure to perform them.

(Sections 457.109(1)(r), 456.072(1)(p), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern and continuing education	$1,000 fine, suspension and CE
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Pprobation or suspension and/or $2,000 fine	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a correction action plan	Rrevocation

(s) Violating any provision of Chapter 457 or 456, F.S., a rule of the Board or Department, or a lawful order of the Board previously entered in a disciplinary hearing or failing to comply with a lawfully issued subpoena of the department.

(Sections 457.109(1)(s), 456.072(1)(q), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern and $500 fine	Ssuspension and or revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$500 fine and suspension	Ssuspension and or Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(t) Conspiring with another to commit an act, or committing an act, which would tend to coerce, intimidate, or preclude another licensee from lawfully advertising his or her services.

(Section 457.109(1)(t), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	$1,000 fine
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$1,000 fine and suspension	suspension or Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	Reprimand
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Revocation

(u) Fraud or deceit or gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct in the operation of a course of study.

1. Gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct:

(Section 457.109(1)(u), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $2,000 fine	$10,000 fine and probation or suspension revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Suspension and $2,000 fine	$10,000 fine and revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rrevocation

2. Fraud or deceit:

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	$10,000 fine and revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	$10,000 fine and revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension	Rrevocation

(v) Failing to comply with state, county, or municipal regulations or reporting requirements, relating to public health and the control of contagious and infectious diseases.

(Section 457.109(1)(v), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $500 fine and continuing education	Reprimand and $1,000 and continuing education
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $1,000 and continuing education	Reprimand and $5,000 and continuing education
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(w) Failing to comply with any rule of the Board relating to health and safety, including, but not limited to, the sterilization of needles and equipment and the disposal of potentially infectious materials.

(Sections 457.072(1)(w), 456.072(1)(b), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $500 fine and continuing education	Reprimand and $1,000 and continuing education
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $1,000 and continuing education	Reprimand and $5,000 and continuing education
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a correction action plan	Rrevocation

(x) Failing to comply with continuing education requirements, including requirements for HIV/AIDS education.

(Sections 457.109(1)(x), 456.072(1)(b), and (e), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension until continuing education completed	$1,000 and suspension until continuing education completed
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Ssuspension until continuing education completed	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern Concern	Rreprimand
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan

(y) Having been found liable in a civil proceeding for knowingly filing a false report or complaint with the department against another licensee.

(Section 456.072(1)(g), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $500 fine	Ssuspension and $1,000 fine or revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Suspension and $2,000 fine revocation	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rreprimand	Ssuspension
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension	Rrevocation

(z) Improperly interfering with an investigation or inspection authorized by statute, or with any disciplinary proceeding.

(Section 456.072(1)(r), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	$1,000 fine and/or suspension
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$2,000 fine and suspension	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	Rreprimand
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Suspension and a corrective action plan revocation

(aa) Failing to report to the Board in writing with 30 days after the licensee has been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a pleas of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction.

(Section 456.072(1)(x), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	$2,000 fine and CE’s
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $500 fine	$2,000 fine and CE
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Lletter of Cconcern	Rreprimand
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a  corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(bb) Using information about people involved in a motor vehicle accident which has been derived from accident reports made by law enforcement officers or persons involved in accidents pursuant to section 316.066, F.S., or using information published in a newspaper or other news publication or through a radio or television broadcast that has used information gained from such reports, for the purposes of solicitation of the people involved in such accidents.

(Section 456.072(1)(y), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $500 fine	Ssuspension
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $1,000 fine	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(cc) Being convicted of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any misdemeanor or felony, regardless of adjudication, under 18 U.S.C. s. 669, ss. 285-287, s. 371, s. 1001, s. 1035, s. 1341, s. 1343, s. 1347, s. 1349, or s. 1518, or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1320a-7b, relating to the Medicaid program.

(Section 456.072(1)(ii), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	Rrevocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Reprimand and $10,000 fine	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rrevocation

(dd)  Failing to comply with, failing to successfully complete or or being terminated from an impaired practitioner treatment program.

(Section 456.072(1)(hh), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Suspension	Revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Suspension	Revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Suspension and corrective action plan	Suspension and corrective action plan
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Suspension and corrective action plan	Revocation

(ee)(dd) Failing to remit the sum owed to the State for an overpayment from the Medicaid Program pursuant to a final order, judgment, or Stipulation or settlement. Section 456.072(1)(jj), F.S.

(Section 456.072(1)(jj), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension until complied	Rrevocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	Ssuspension until complied	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(ff)(ee) Being terminated from the state Medicaid Program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., any other state Medicaid program, or the federal Medicare program, unless eligibility to participate in the program from which the practitioner was terminated has been restored. Section 456.072(1)(kk), F.S.

(Section 456.072(1)(kk), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Rrevocation	Rrevocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rrevocation

(gg)(ff) Being convicted of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any misdemeanor or felony, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which related to health care fraud. Section 456.072(1)(ll), F.S.

(Section 456.072(1)(ll), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	$10,000 fine	$10,000 fine and/or suspension or revocation
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$10,000 fine	$10,000 fine and revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Rrevocation

(hh)(gg) Willfully failing to comply with Section 627.64194 or 641.513, F.S., with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice. Section 456.072(1)(oo).

(Section 456.072(1)(oo), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $1,000 fine letter of concern	$4,000.00 fine and suspension
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES	$51,000 fine and probation	$10,000 fine and revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Ssuspension and a corrective action plan	Rrevocation

(ii)  Providing information, including written documentation, indicating that a person has a disability or supporting a person’s need for an emotional support animal under s. 760.27 without personal knowledge of the person’s disability or disability-related need for the specific emotional support animal.

(Section 456.072(1)(pp), F.S.)

	MINIMUM	MAXIMUM
FIRST OFFENSE	Reprimand and $1,000 fine	Suspension and $4,000 fine
SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE	Suspension and $8,000 fine	Revocation
Telehealth Registrants
FIRST OFFENSE	Suspension and a corrective action plan	Revocation
ADDITIONAL OFFENSES	Suspension and a corrective action plan	Revocation

(2) Based upon consideration of the following factors, the Board may impose disciplinary action other than those penalties recommended above:

(a) through (k)  No change. 

(l) Any action relating to discipline or denial of a certificate or license in another state including, findings of guilt or innocence, standards applied, penalties imposed and penalties served.;

(m) Any other mitigating circumstances.

(3) through (5)  No change.

Rulemaking Authority 456.079(1), 456.47, 457.104 FS. Law Implemented 456.072, 456.079, 456.47(1)(f), 457.109 FS. History–New 12-8-86, Amended 8-6-89, Formerly 21AA-9.001, 61F1-9.001, Amended 11-21-95, Formerly 59M-9.001, Amended 8-3-00, 5-20-02, 5-24-04, 1-26-06, 5-2-12, 3-1-17, 2-27-18,                   .

 

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS:  Kama Monroe, JD, Executive Director, Board of Acupuncture, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3257, [e-mail].