CALE CALIFORNIA ACUPUNCTURE
LICENSING TEST 3. EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
CALE California Acupuncture Licensing TEST 3 - ANS CALIFORNIA CALE ACUPUNCTURE
LICENSING TEST 3 COVERAGE
The third section of the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE), The coverage
includes advanced diagnostic evaluation, treatment strategy formulation, and clinical decision-
making based on traditional East Asian medicine theories. It also assesses knowledge of
meridian systems, acupoint functions, and the integration of acupuncture with herbal and
complementary therapies. Additional areas include Western biomedical concepts, pathology
recognition, infection control standards, patient safety, and ethical and legal responsibilities in
clinical practice. Overall, the exam ensures candidates are fully prepared to deliver competent,
safe, and effective acupuncture care in professional settings.
Which formula includes an acrid (disperses clumping) and bitter (guides Qi downward) herb
which treats epigastric focal distention and fullness?
A. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Patchouli/ Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi)
B. Yue Ju Wan (Escape Restraint Pill)
C. Bao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill)
D. Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium) - ANS D
Which ICS and ribs are located in the area where you palpate the Heart apical pulse?
1
,A. 5th ICS between the 5th and 6th ribs
B. 4th ICS between the 5th and 6th ribs
C. 4th ICS between the 4th and 5th ribs
D. 5th ICS between the 4th and 5th ribs - ANS A
Which one of the following is a mandatory test for medical practitioners?
A. TB
B. HBV
C. HIV
D. HCV - ANS B
Which of the following 5 Element Associates is correct?
A. Water = Urinary Bladder, bones, fear, Late Summer, Cold, salty, groaning and Downwards
B. Earth = Spleen, muscles, pensiveness, Winter, Damp, sweet, singing and expansion
C. Fire = Small Intestines, Blood vessels, joy, Summer, Heat, bitter, laughing and Upwards
D. Wood = Liver, sinews, anger, Spring, Wind, South, shouting and contraction - ANS C
The symptom of rebound tenderness is used to diagnose which of the following conditions?
A. Gastritis
B. Appendicitis
C. Cholecystitis
D. Diverticulitis - ANS B
Which points are on the head of Fibula?
A. SP9, SP10, Liv7
B. GB34, GB37, GB33
2
,C. S35, S36, S34
D. K10, K9, Liv8 - ANS B
Patient has diarrhea with watery stool, nausea and vomiting, no particular thirst, loss of
appetite, fatigue and abdominal pain that relieves by warmth and pressure. Which formula is
best for this patient?
A. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Tang
B. Ping Wei San
C. Li Zhong Wan
D. Wu Zhu Yu Tang - ANS C
Your patient is going through menopause and is loosing a lot of hair. She says she is always in a
bad mood and snaps at people. She does sweat at night and her throat is dry. She says she used
to always be cold. Now she is always too warm. What would you suggest she eat?
A. Lentils, grapefruit peel, carp, ginger, orange peel, bamboo shavings, persimmon cap and
millet
B. Cabbage, cucumber, dandelion, lettuce, malt, reed root, lotus root, honeysuckle
C. Mung beans, daikon, carrots, lotus root, persimmon caps, mint, honeysuckle flower
D. Black beans, sesame seeds, soybeans, walnuts, goji berries, mulberries, yams, licorice,
Chinese black dates, lotus seeds, chrysanthemum - ANS D
Taking Xiao Huo Luo Dan with wine will do which of the following?
A. Clear Heat, unblock, and promote movement in the channels and collaterals
B. Enhance the Damp-dispelling functions of the formula
C. Strengthen the Blood-invigorating actions of the formula
D. Focus the formula on dispersing Wind - ANS C
3
, When differentiating between Wind Heat and Wind Cold, which of the following symptoms will
the main differentiating factor?
A. Tongue coating
B. Superficial pulse
C. Thirsty
D. Chills and fever - ANS A
What is the indication of SI8, S36, SJ10, SP9, B40 (He-sea points)?
A. Prolonged intermittent diseases, heavy sensations of the body and the joints
B. Bleeding, irregular appetite, diarrhea due to stomach problems and diarrhea due to
Rebellious Flow of Qi
C. Disease of the voice, cough & asthma due to Qi deficiency and pathogenic Cold and Heat
D. Mental illness related to the Zang organs and fullness of chest - ANS B
Based on the classic texts a patent suffering from aphasia or incoherent speech has an issue
with which of the following channels?
A. Heart
B. Du
C. Kidney
D. Spleen - ANS A
Beven has strange red lines on his belly. He's not sure what it could be. He has gained a lot of
weight recently. His round face looks even rounder now. What is the most likely cause of these
symptoms?
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Diabetes Mellitus
C. Myxedema
4
LICENSING TEST 3. EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
CALE California Acupuncture Licensing TEST 3 - ANS CALIFORNIA CALE ACUPUNCTURE
LICENSING TEST 3 COVERAGE
The third section of the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE), The coverage
includes advanced diagnostic evaluation, treatment strategy formulation, and clinical decision-
making based on traditional East Asian medicine theories. It also assesses knowledge of
meridian systems, acupoint functions, and the integration of acupuncture with herbal and
complementary therapies. Additional areas include Western biomedical concepts, pathology
recognition, infection control standards, patient safety, and ethical and legal responsibilities in
clinical practice. Overall, the exam ensures candidates are fully prepared to deliver competent,
safe, and effective acupuncture care in professional settings.
Which formula includes an acrid (disperses clumping) and bitter (guides Qi downward) herb
which treats epigastric focal distention and fullness?
A. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Patchouli/ Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi)
B. Yue Ju Wan (Escape Restraint Pill)
C. Bao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill)
D. Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium) - ANS D
Which ICS and ribs are located in the area where you palpate the Heart apical pulse?
1
,A. 5th ICS between the 5th and 6th ribs
B. 4th ICS between the 5th and 6th ribs
C. 4th ICS between the 4th and 5th ribs
D. 5th ICS between the 4th and 5th ribs - ANS A
Which one of the following is a mandatory test for medical practitioners?
A. TB
B. HBV
C. HIV
D. HCV - ANS B
Which of the following 5 Element Associates is correct?
A. Water = Urinary Bladder, bones, fear, Late Summer, Cold, salty, groaning and Downwards
B. Earth = Spleen, muscles, pensiveness, Winter, Damp, sweet, singing and expansion
C. Fire = Small Intestines, Blood vessels, joy, Summer, Heat, bitter, laughing and Upwards
D. Wood = Liver, sinews, anger, Spring, Wind, South, shouting and contraction - ANS C
The symptom of rebound tenderness is used to diagnose which of the following conditions?
A. Gastritis
B. Appendicitis
C. Cholecystitis
D. Diverticulitis - ANS B
Which points are on the head of Fibula?
A. SP9, SP10, Liv7
B. GB34, GB37, GB33
2
,C. S35, S36, S34
D. K10, K9, Liv8 - ANS B
Patient has diarrhea with watery stool, nausea and vomiting, no particular thirst, loss of
appetite, fatigue and abdominal pain that relieves by warmth and pressure. Which formula is
best for this patient?
A. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Tang
B. Ping Wei San
C. Li Zhong Wan
D. Wu Zhu Yu Tang - ANS C
Your patient is going through menopause and is loosing a lot of hair. She says she is always in a
bad mood and snaps at people. She does sweat at night and her throat is dry. She says she used
to always be cold. Now she is always too warm. What would you suggest she eat?
A. Lentils, grapefruit peel, carp, ginger, orange peel, bamboo shavings, persimmon cap and
millet
B. Cabbage, cucumber, dandelion, lettuce, malt, reed root, lotus root, honeysuckle
C. Mung beans, daikon, carrots, lotus root, persimmon caps, mint, honeysuckle flower
D. Black beans, sesame seeds, soybeans, walnuts, goji berries, mulberries, yams, licorice,
Chinese black dates, lotus seeds, chrysanthemum - ANS D
Taking Xiao Huo Luo Dan with wine will do which of the following?
A. Clear Heat, unblock, and promote movement in the channels and collaterals
B. Enhance the Damp-dispelling functions of the formula
C. Strengthen the Blood-invigorating actions of the formula
D. Focus the formula on dispersing Wind - ANS C
3
, When differentiating between Wind Heat and Wind Cold, which of the following symptoms will
the main differentiating factor?
A. Tongue coating
B. Superficial pulse
C. Thirsty
D. Chills and fever - ANS A
What is the indication of SI8, S36, SJ10, SP9, B40 (He-sea points)?
A. Prolonged intermittent diseases, heavy sensations of the body and the joints
B. Bleeding, irregular appetite, diarrhea due to stomach problems and diarrhea due to
Rebellious Flow of Qi
C. Disease of the voice, cough & asthma due to Qi deficiency and pathogenic Cold and Heat
D. Mental illness related to the Zang organs and fullness of chest - ANS B
Based on the classic texts a patent suffering from aphasia or incoherent speech has an issue
with which of the following channels?
A. Heart
B. Du
C. Kidney
D. Spleen - ANS A
Beven has strange red lines on his belly. He's not sure what it could be. He has gained a lot of
weight recently. His round face looks even rounder now. What is the most likely cause of these
symptoms?
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Diabetes Mellitus
C. Myxedema
4
