CALE QUESTION BANK- EXAM 2026 California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE) Questions and Verified Correct ANSWER s with Rationales Updated for 2026 | Based on California Acupuncture Board Standards

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CALE QUESTION BANK- EXAM 2026 California
Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE) Questions and
Verified Correct ANSWER s with Rationales Updated
for 2026 | Based on California Acupuncture Board
Standards

TCM FOUNDATIONS, DIAGNOSIS & ORGAN SYSTEMS (Questions 1–35)

Question 1
What are the Five Elements (Wu Xing)?

• A) Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Air

• B) Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

• C) Wind, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

• D) Wood, Fire, Earth, Air, Water

☑ CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: The Five Elements in TCM are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Air
is not one of the five.

Question 2
Which organ system is associated with anger?

• A) Heart

• B) Spleen

• C) Kidney

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• D) Liver

☑ CORRECT ANSWER : D
Rationale: Anger is the emotion of the Liver. When Liver Qi is stagnant or
hyperactive, the patient may exhibit irritability and anger.

Question 3
Which organ is called the "Root of Pre-Heaven Qi"?

• A) Spleen

• B) Heart

• C) Kidney

• D) Lung

☑ CORRECT ANSWER : C
Rationale: The Kidneys store "Pre-Heaven Qi" (inherited essence), which
determines constitutional strength, growth, and reproduction.

Question 4
What are the Six Excesses (Liu Yin)?

• A) Wind, Cold, Summer Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire

• B) Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Phlegm

• C) Wind, Cold, Dampness, Heat, Summer Heat, Qi

• D) Wind, Cold, Dampness, Dryness, Heat, Blood

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☑ CORRECT ANSWER : A
Rationale: The Six Excesses are Wind, Cold, Summer Heat, Dampness, Dryness, and
Fire (or Heat). They are external pathogenic factors.

Question 5
What is the function of the San Jiao (Triple Burner)?

• A) Regulates the blood vessels

• B) Regulates the water passages

• C) Governs the immune system

• D) Controls the sinews

☑ CORRECT ANSWER : B
Rationale: The San Jiao is responsible for regulating the water passages and
ensuring the proper transformation and transportation of fluids throughout the
body.

Question 6
What is the Zang-Fu organ paired with the Pericardium?

• A) Liver

• B) Kidney

• C) San Jiao

• D) Gallbladder

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☑ CORRECT ANSWER : C
Rationale: In TCM, the Pericardium (Heart Protector) is externally-internally paired
with the San Jiao (Triple Burner).

Question 7
Which organ governs the sinews (tendons and ligaments)?

• A) Spleen

• B) Kidney

• C) Liver

• D) Heart

☑ CORRECT ANSWER : C
Rationale: The Liver governs the sinews. Liver Blood nourishes the sinews; when
deficient, sinews may stiffen, spasm, or become numb.

Question 8
Which of the following 5 Element Associates is correct?

• A) Water = Urinary Bladder, bones, fear, Late Summer, Cold, salty,
groaning, Downwards

• B) Earth = Spleen, muscles, pensiveness, Winter, Damp, sweet, singing,
expansion

• C) Fire = Small Intestines, blood vessels, joy, Summer, Heat, bitter, laughing,
Upwards

• D) Wood = Liver, sinews, anger, Spring, Wind, South, shouting, contraction