NBCE Acupuncture Certification for Chiropractors (ACC) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In Five Element theory, which element is associated with the emotion of grief and the season of autumn?

Water
Earth
Metal (Correct answer)
Wood

Correct answer: Metal

Metal corresponds to grief, the Lung and Large Intestine organs, and the autumn season in Five Element theory.

Question 2: The 'Four Gates' combination refers to which bilateral point pairing?

PC6 + HT7
ST36 + SP6
LI4 + LR3 (Correct answer)
BL40 + BL57

Correct answer: LI4 + LR3

LI4 and LR3, needled bilaterally (Si Guan or Four Gates), strongly move Qi and Blood throughout the entire body.

Question 3: A chiropractor notices a patient has pain along the medial knee, inner thigh, and into the groin. Which meridian pathway most closely matches this presentation?

Both Liver and Spleen meridians (Correct answer)
Liver meridian
Spleen meridian
Kidney meridian

Correct answer: Both Liver and Spleen meridians

Both the Liver and Spleen meridians travel along the medial thigh and inner knee, and the Liver encircles the genitals.

Question 4: The Front-Mu point of the Stomach is located where?

ST 25, 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus
CV 12, midway between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus (Correct answer)
CV 14, 6 cun above the umbilicus
CV 10, 2 cun above the umbilicus

Correct answer: CV 12, midway between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus

CV 12 (Zhongwan) is the Front-Mu of the Stomach and lies 4 cun superior to the umbilicus (midway between umbilicus and xiphoid).

Question 5: For a patient with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, which local acupuncture points are classically indicated?

KD 3, SP 6, LV 3
BL 40, GB 34, ST 36
ST 35, SP 9, EX-LE 4 (Neixiyan) (Correct answer)
GB 41, BL 60, KD 7

Correct answer: ST 35, SP 9, EX-LE 4 (Neixiyan)

ST 35, SP 9, and Neixiyan (EX-LE 4) are local points surrounding the knee joint directly targeting osteoarthritic knee pain.

Question 6: When treating knee osteoarthritis, which protocol correctly pairs local and distal points?

GB 34, BL 40 locally with KD 3 distally
ST 35, EX-LE 5, SP 10 locally with ST 36 distally (Correct answer)
SP 9, SP 10 locally with BL 23 distally
LV 8, SP 9 locally with LV 3 distally

Correct answer: ST 35, EX-LE 5, SP 10 locally with ST 36 distally

ST 35 and EX-LE 5 (Xiyan points) with SP 10 are the standard local knee points, while ST 36 serves as a key distal point strengthening Stomach channel qi.

Question 7: Which auricular zone is associated with the representation of the endocrine glands, particularly the pituitary?

Helix
Cymba conchae
Tragus (Correct answer)
Antitragus

Correct answer: Tragus

The tragus area of the auricle contains points for the adrenal glands, pituitary, and external nose in auricular microsystem mapping.

Question 8: The Small Intestine meridian winds around the scapula and enters the supraclavicular fossa; it then branches to the heart and descends to the small intestine while another branch ascends to which area?

The cheek, outer canthus, and ear (Correct answer)
The nose and inner canthus
The frontal sinus and forehead
The throat, tongue base, and brain

Correct answer: The cheek, outer canthus, and ear

The ascending branch of the Small Intestine meridian travels to the cheek, outer canthus, and then to SI 19 in front of the ear.

Question 9: Which of the following is the most appropriate needle depth when treating BL 1 (Jingming) for periorbital pain?

0.3-0.5 cun perpendicularly without manipulation (Correct answer)
1.5-2.0 cun transversely along the orbit
1.0-1.5 cun obliquely toward the eye
0.5-1.0 cun with rotation manipulation

Correct answer: 0.3-0.5 cun perpendicularly without manipulation

BL 1 requires slow, careful perpendicular insertion to 0.3-0.5 cun without rotation or lifting-thrusting to avoid hemorrhage in the orbit.

Question 10: How often should acupuncture needles be replaced?

After every treatment or patient (Correct answer)
After a week of use.
After 3 uses.
They can be used multiple times on the same patient.

Correct answer: After every treatment or patient

Acupuncture needles should be replaced after every patient to ensure sterility and to prevent any risk of infection or contamination.

Question 11: The Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Motility Vessel) originates at which point and primarily affects which body region?

SP 4, regulating the abdomen and uterus
KD 6, regulating the medial aspect of the body and eyelid closing
GB 41, regulating the lateral thorax and ribcage
BL 62, regulating the lateral aspect of the body and eyelid opening (Correct answer)

Correct answer: BL 62, regulating the lateral aspect of the body and eyelid opening

The Yang Qiao Mai originates at BL 62 and governs the Yang (lateral) aspect of the body, including eyelid opening.

Question 12: To treat a tension headache located at the occiput and radiating up the neck, which acupoint located in the depression between the origins of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles is the most appropriate local choice?

BL10 (Tianzhu)
GB20 (Fengchi) (Correct answer)
TW15 (Tianliao)
DU16 (Fengfu)

Correct answer: GB20 (Fengchi)

GB20 (Fengchi), translated as 'Wind Pool,' is located in the suboccipital depression between the SCM and trapezius muscles. It is a primary local point for expelling wind and relieving pain and stiffness in the head and neck, especially for occipital headaches.

Question 13: What is the correct depth of needle insertion at GV-20 (Baihui)?

0.5–1.5 cun transverse (Correct answer)
0.1 cun only, no deeper
1.0–2.0 cun perpendicular
0.3–0.5 cun perpendicular

Correct answer: 0.5–1.5 cun transverse

GV-20 is needled transversely (horizontally) 0.5–1.5 cun because the underlying skull limits safe perpendicular depth at this scalp location.

Question 14: Which combination most effectively tonifies Qi and Blood simultaneously?

LI4 + LI11
LU7 + KD6
BL17 + BL20 (Correct answer)
CV4 + CV6 + ST36

Correct answer: BL17 + BL20

BL17 (Influential point of Blood) and BL20 (Back-Shu of Spleen) together tonify Blood and strengthen the Spleen's production of Qi and Blood.

Question 15: Which tongue coating color most strongly indicates Cold-Damp in TCM tongue diagnosis?

Red with no coating
White and thick (Correct answer)
Gray or black
Yellow and thin

Correct answer: White and thick

A white, thick tongue coating indicates Cold-Damp or food stagnation in TCM tongue diagnosis.

Question 16: The auricular representation of the musculoskeletal system is primarily concentrated in which region of the ear?

Cymba conchae
Tragus
Antihelix and its crura (Correct answer)
Earlobe

Correct answer: Antihelix and its crura

The antihelix and its crura (superior and inferior) represent the spine and extremities in auricular microsystem mapping.

Question 17: A patient presents with temporal headaches, jaw pain, and irritability. Based on the primary pathway, which channel is most indicated for treatment as it traverses the side of the head and face?

Stomach Channel of Foot-Yangming
Small Intestine Channel of Hand-Taiyang
Triple Burner Channel of Hand-Shaoyang
Gall Bladder Channel of Foot-Shaoyang (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Gall Bladder Channel of Foot-Shaoyang

The Gall Bladder channel pathway begins at the outer canthus of the eye, zigzags across the temporal region of the head, descends behind the ear, and travels along the side of the body. This pathway directly corresponds to the patient's symptoms of temporal headaches and jaw pain, making it the most indicated channel for treatment.

Question 18: A practitioner sustains a needlestick injury from a used acupuncture needle. What is the FIRST action to take?

Immediately apply antiseptic and bandage
Draw blood from the injury site to reduce pathogen load
Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
Report the incident to a supervisor

Correct answer: Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water

The first response to a needlestick is immediate washing with soap and water for several minutes before reporting and further evaluation.

Question 19: A chiropractic acupuncturist treating piriformis syndrome would most likely needle which combination of points to address the sciatic nerve pathway?

GV 4, BL 23, BL 25, GV 3
SP 10, SP 9, LV 8, KD 10
GB 30, BL 54, BL 36, BL 40 (Correct answer)
ST 31, ST 32, ST 34, ST 36

Correct answer: GB 30, BL 54, BL 36, BL 40

GB 30 and BL 54 are located directly over the piriformis, and BL 36–40 follow the sciatic nerve course down the posterior thigh and popliteal fossa.

Question 20: To prevent fainting (vasovagal syncope) during acupuncture, which patient position is SAFEST for high-risk patients?

Standing
Prone with head elevated
Seated upright on a stool
Supine (lying down) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Supine (lying down)

Supine position is safest for needle-phobic or faint-prone patients because it prevents falls and facilitates blood return to the brain.

Question 21: In wrist-ankle acupuncture, points 1-6 on the wrist and ankle are located at what anatomical depth?

At the tendon sheath
In the muscle belly
Just subcutaneously, with the needle nearly horizontal (Correct answer)
At the periosteum

Correct answer: Just subcutaneously, with the needle nearly horizontal

Wrist-ankle acupuncture uses a nearly horizontal, subcutaneous needling technique with no intention of obtaining de qi.

Question 22: PC 6 (Neiguan) is located how far proximal to the wrist crease and between which tendons?

2 cun proximal, medial to the flexor carpi ulnaris
3 cun proximal, between flexor carpi radialis and brachioradialis
2 cun proximal, between palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis (Correct answer)
1 cun proximal, between flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor digitorum superficialis

Correct answer: 2 cun proximal, between palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis

PC 6 is 2 cun proximal to the wrist crease between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis.

Question 23: When treating a patient with right-sided sciatica along the Bladder meridian distribution, which pathway description is most accurate for the BL channel on the posterior thigh?

The BL channel splits into two lines on the back and reunites at BL 40 in the popliteal fossa (Correct answer)
The BL channel runs along the iliotibial band from hip to knee
The BL channel crosses the posterior knee to the anterior tibia
The BL channel runs medially on the thigh between the adductors

Correct answer: The BL channel splits into two lines on the back and reunites at BL 40 in the popliteal fossa

The Bladder meridian has two parallel lines on the back that converge at BL 40 (Weizhong) in the popliteal fossa.

Question 24: A chiropractor performing acupuncture on a patient taking warfarin should modify the protocol by:

Using fewer needles, avoiding thick needles, and applying firm pressure after withdrawal (Correct answer)
Doubling needle retention time to reduce bleeding
Needling only distal points below the knee
Avoiding all needling and using only acupressure

Correct answer: Using fewer needles, avoiding thick needles, and applying firm pressure after withdrawal

Anticoagulant patients require fewer, thinner needles and firm post-needle pressure to minimize hematoma risk without completely avoiding treatment.

Question 25: Which acupuncture point is known as the 'command point' for the back and is frequently used for acute low back pain?

ST 36 (Zusanli)
GB 34 (Yanglingquan)
BL 40 (Weizhong) (Correct answer)
SP 6 (Sanyinjiao)

Correct answer: BL 40 (Weizhong)

BL 40 (Weizhong) is the command point for the back and is a primary point for acute and chronic low back pain.

Question 26: To locate LI-4 (Hegu), one should find the point on the dorsum of the hand, at the highest point of the muscle when which two digits are adducted?

Ring and little finger
Thumb and index finger (Correct answer)
Index and middle finger
Middle and ring finger

Correct answer: Thumb and index finger

LI-4 (Hegu) is located on the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones. A common and simple way to find it is to squeeze the thumb and index finger together; the point is at the highest point of the muscular bulge that is formed.

Question 27: Which of the following is the Xi-Cleft point of the Stomach channel?

ST 36 (Zusanli)
ST 25 (Tianshu)
ST 34 (Liangqiu) (Correct answer)
ST 40 (Fenglong)

Correct answer: ST 34 (Liangqiu)

ST 34 (Liangqiu) is the Xi-Cleft point of the Stomach channel, located 2 cun above the superolateral border of the patella.

Question 28: A patient complains of a stiff neck and headache at the base of the occiput. Which of the following is a key local point for this condition, located in the depression between the origins of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles?

GB-20 (Fengchi) (Correct answer)
ST-36 (Zusanli)
LI-4 (Hegu)
LU-7 (Lieque)

Correct answer: GB-20 (Fengchi)

GB-20 (Fengchi), or 'Wind Pool,' is a primary local point for neck pain, stiffness, and headaches, especially those affecting the occipital region. Its location is at the base of the skull, in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. While other points like LI-4 can be used as distal points for head and neck issues, GB-20 is the most specific local point described.

Question 29: Which meridian has its source (yuan) point located at KD-3 (Taixi)?

Spleen meridian
Bladder meridian
Liver meridian
Kidney meridian (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Kidney meridian

KD-3 (Taixi), located posterior to the medial malleolus, is the source (yuan) point of the Kidney meridian.

NBCE Acupuncture Certification for Chiropractors (ACC)

The NBCE Acupuncture Certification exam tests chiropractors on acupuncture theory, point location, channels, treatment protocols, and safe needling technique to qualify for state licensure to practice acupuncture as a chiropractic adjunct.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

75%

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