Candidates
The pathway to Diplomate status
Nine steps from eligibility to DIBAK
To be a Diplomate in any specialty carries built-in expectations and responsibilities. A Diplomate represents the highest level of knowledge and experience in a specialty, and is expected to maintain current knowledge and represent that specialty wherever they lecture, study or appear.
Obtaining Diplomate status is not easy. The requirements below exist to assure every profession that a Diplomate of the ICAK has been well trained and well examined.
The pathway
Follow the steps in order
Each step opens the board's full requirements. Steps eight and nine apply only if a part of the examination has to be retaken.
- 01Check your eligibilityLicensure, 300 hours of AK instruction, three years in practice and a year of ICAK membership.
- 02Understand the written examinationFive 100-question tests: nutrition, acupuncture, respiratory, reflex procedures and general AK.
- 03Understand the practical examinationDemonstrate AK procedures on a patient before the examiners and defend one of your papers.
- 04Write your two papersOriginal papers reviewed by your chapter and submitted 90 days before the examination.
- 05Choose an examination dateSittings are held at ICAK international and chapter meetings around the world.
- 06Gather your study materialsEvery question is drawn from the published Standards of Reference.
- 07Apply to sit the examinationComplete application and fee received 60 days before the examination.
- 08Retake the written examination — if requiredIf one or two tests are failed they may be retaken individually.
- 09Retake the practical examination — if requiredThe practical may be retaken on its own; a different paper is defended.
Deadlines
What must arrive when
- 90 days before the examination: both papers, in English, with your chapter's completed Paper Review Form.
- 60 days before: the complete application and the examination fee, received by the Corresponding Secretary.
- 30 days before: applications to retake the written or practical examination.
Fees
Examination fees in US dollars
- $1,200 Diplomate examination (written and practical)
- $150 per written test retaken; $600 if all five must be retaken
- $300 practical examination retake
- Payment by PayPal carries a 5% service fee.
Refund policy
Withdrawing from the examination
If an applicant withdraws before beginning the examination, the fee is refunded less a 40% administrative fee. Once the examination process has started, no refunds are granted.
Both parts can be passed or failed separately. If the candidate fails either part, that part alone may be retaken. When both are passed, Diplomate status is granted.
In depth
Everything the board publishes for candidates
- Eligibility requirementsLicensure, hours of instruction, years in practice, membership and papers.
- Description of the examinationThe five written tests, the practical, pass marks and reference material.
- Practical examination guidelinesThe topics examiners draw on and how the practical is conducted.
- Manuscript guidelinesStructure and quality required of the two papers, and the paper defence.
- Study materials & Standards of ReferenceThe texts every examination question is drawn from.
- Information to Diplomate candidatesThe board's summary for applicants, including payment and correspondence.
- Special sittingsRequesting an examination outside a regular ICAK chapter meeting.
- Appeals proceduresComments, regrading, video review and appeal to an Independent Board.
Step seven
Apply to sit the examination
Download the application, itemise your accredited hours, list your two papers, and send everything with the fee to the Corresponding Secretary.