Arkansas Department of Health

Cosmetology and Massage Therapy Section

4815 West Markham Street, Slot #8 ● Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-3867

Cosmetology Telephone (501) 682-2168 ● Massage Therapy Telephone (501) 683-1448

Governor Asa Hutchinson

Nathaniel Smith, MD, MPH, Director and State Health Officer

Date: October 13, 2016

Dear Massage Therapy of Arkansas,

RE: CUPPING requires acupuncture license:

The Arkansas Department of Health, Massage Therapy section provides official notice that Cupping, including massage cupping, in which a dome shaped device is used to create suction, is by law, part of the scope of practice of acupuncturists. Therefore, cupping requires an acupuncture license to perform. See Rules and Regulations for Acupuncturists, Section B.4.

Licensed massage therapist who perform cupping with a dome shaped device should cease immediately.

Continuing education in cupping technique using a dome shaped device and suction, will not be recognized as applicable continuing education credit by the Arkansas Department of Health.

Those licensed massage therapists instructing cupping continuing education courses in Arkansas should refrain from providing the instruction.

Thank you,

Kelli Kersey

Section Chief

Arkansas Department of Health

Cosmetology and Massage Therapy Section