These benchmarks provide learning modules for each category of acupuncture service providers at different levels, so that individual practices and practitioners can be compared, evaluated and accredited. This document sits alongside the benchmarks for the practice of acupuncture.

This document is structured in five parts: Introduction; Categories of training; Levels of training (defines general expertise and possible career pathways for acupuncture service providers); Components and requirements for full training; and Components and requirements for adapted training. These five parts constitute a complete set of benchmarks for the training of acupuncture.

By setting norms and standards, this document helps to address the issues related to minimum training requirements for quality acupuncture services. It offers a useful reference point to evaluate acupuncture service providers, which will benefit policy-makers, health workers, education providers and the public in general.