ACUPUNCTURE LICENSING TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
ANSWERS
●● CALIFORNIA CALE ACUPUNCTURE LICENSING EXAM
Answer: CALIFORNIA CALE ACUPUNCTURE LICENSING EXAM
- VERSION 2 COVERAGE
The advanced level of the California Acupuncture Licensing
Examination (CALE), overseen by the California Acupuncture Board,
evaluates a candidate's ability to apply acupuncture knowledge in
clinical practice. The coverage focuses on in-depth diagnostic methods,
development of effective treatment plans, and the integration of
acupuncture with herbal and supportive therapies. It also assesses
knowledge of meridian pathways, acupoint selection, and individualized
patient care approaches. Additional emphasis is placed on Western
medical concepts, disease processes, patient safety, infection control
practices, and professional ethics. Overall, the exam confirms that
candidates can competently combine theory and practice to provide safe
and effective acupuncture treatment.
●● A 39-year-old patient had a car accident two weeks ago and has pain
on both shoulders and arms. The patient also has palpitation and fixed
pain in the chest. Which formula is good for treatment in this case?
A. Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill)
B. Wen Jing Tang (Flow-Warming Decoction)
,C. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Stasis from the Mansion of Blood
Decoction)
D. Tao He Cheng Qi Tang (Peach Pit Decoction to Order the Qi)
Answer: C
●● Which of the following is in the scope of practice for an
acupuncturist?
A. Acupressure, breath control exercises, subcutaneous injection
B. Herbs, plant, mineral products, x-rays
C. Physical touch (Asian massage), magnets, animal products
D. Heat and cold therapy, magnets, nutrition, diet, surgery
Answer: C
●● Which one of the following is correct dosage and ingredients of Da
Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction)?
A. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 6-12g, Mang Xiao (Natrii Suljas)
9-12g, Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus) 12-15g, Hou Po
(Magnoliae officinalis Cortex) 12-24g
B. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 6-12g, Mang Xiao (Natrii Suljas)
9-12g, Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus) 12-15g, Hou Po
(Magnoliae officinalis Cortex) 9-24g
C. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 4-12g, Mang Xiao (Natrii Suljas)
9-12g, Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus) 12-15g, Hou Po
(Magnoliae officinalis Cortex) 12-24g
,D. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 6-12g, Mang Xiao (Natrii Suljas)
6-12g, Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus) 12-15g, Hou Po
(Magnoliae officinalis Cortex) 12-24g
Answer: A
●●
Answer: C
●● You suspect your patient of having liver disease. His lab tests come
back with normal AST and ALT levels. Yet, the patient experiences
abdominal pain, weight loss and masses in the right upper quadrant.
What is the proper diagnostic method you would refer them out for?
A. Biopsy
B. CT
C. MRI
D. Ultrasonography
Answer: C
●● What is the reason for the Yin Deficiency Heat in the pattern Heart
and Kidney not Communicating?
A. Yin cannot control Yang
B. Yin fluids cannot control Yang fire
C. Yang Qi cannot control Yin fluid
D. Yang cannot control Yin
, Answer: B
●● For equipment in the clinic that is exposed to blood or body fluids
such as cups, what is the proper sterilization procedure?
A. Autoclave 250F, 30min
B. Autoclave 350F, 45min
C. Steam clean 250F, 30min
D. Steam clean 350F, 60min
Answer: A
●● Which medication is used for depression?
A. Serzone
B. Procardia
C. Naprosyn
D. Relafen
Answer: A
●● A patient has chronic headache. The headache gets worse when she
eats grapefruits or oranges. What is the diagnosis?
A. Spleen Qi Deficiency
B. Kidney Deficiency
C. Heart Qi Deficiency
D. Liver Yang Rising
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
ANSWERS
●● CALIFORNIA CALE ACUPUNCTURE LICENSING EXAM
Answer: CALIFORNIA CALE ACUPUNCTURE LICENSING EXAM
- VERSION 2 COVERAGE
The advanced level of the California Acupuncture Licensing
Examination (CALE), overseen by the California Acupuncture Board,
evaluates a candidate's ability to apply acupuncture knowledge in
clinical practice. The coverage focuses on in-depth diagnostic methods,
development of effective treatment plans, and the integration of
acupuncture with herbal and supportive therapies. It also assesses
knowledge of meridian pathways, acupoint selection, and individualized
patient care approaches. Additional emphasis is placed on Western
medical concepts, disease processes, patient safety, infection control
practices, and professional ethics. Overall, the exam confirms that
candidates can competently combine theory and practice to provide safe
and effective acupuncture treatment.
●● A 39-year-old patient had a car accident two weeks ago and has pain
on both shoulders and arms. The patient also has palpitation and fixed
pain in the chest. Which formula is good for treatment in this case?
A. Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill)
B. Wen Jing Tang (Flow-Warming Decoction)
,C. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Stasis from the Mansion of Blood
Decoction)
D. Tao He Cheng Qi Tang (Peach Pit Decoction to Order the Qi)
Answer: C
●● Which of the following is in the scope of practice for an
acupuncturist?
A. Acupressure, breath control exercises, subcutaneous injection
B. Herbs, plant, mineral products, x-rays
C. Physical touch (Asian massage), magnets, animal products
D. Heat and cold therapy, magnets, nutrition, diet, surgery
Answer: C
●● Which one of the following is correct dosage and ingredients of Da
Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction)?
A. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 6-12g, Mang Xiao (Natrii Suljas)
9-12g, Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus) 12-15g, Hou Po
(Magnoliae officinalis Cortex) 12-24g
B. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 6-12g, Mang Xiao (Natrii Suljas)
9-12g, Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus) 12-15g, Hou Po
(Magnoliae officinalis Cortex) 9-24g
C. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 4-12g, Mang Xiao (Natrii Suljas)
9-12g, Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus) 12-15g, Hou Po
(Magnoliae officinalis Cortex) 12-24g
,D. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 6-12g, Mang Xiao (Natrii Suljas)
6-12g, Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus immaturus) 12-15g, Hou Po
(Magnoliae officinalis Cortex) 12-24g
Answer: A
●●
Answer: C
●● You suspect your patient of having liver disease. His lab tests come
back with normal AST and ALT levels. Yet, the patient experiences
abdominal pain, weight loss and masses in the right upper quadrant.
What is the proper diagnostic method you would refer them out for?
A. Biopsy
B. CT
C. MRI
D. Ultrasonography
Answer: C
●● What is the reason for the Yin Deficiency Heat in the pattern Heart
and Kidney not Communicating?
A. Yin cannot control Yang
B. Yin fluids cannot control Yang fire
C. Yang Qi cannot control Yin fluid
D. Yang cannot control Yin
, Answer: B
●● For equipment in the clinic that is exposed to blood or body fluids
such as cups, what is the proper sterilization procedure?
A. Autoclave 250F, 30min
B. Autoclave 350F, 45min
C. Steam clean 250F, 30min
D. Steam clean 350F, 60min
Answer: A
●● Which medication is used for depression?
A. Serzone
B. Procardia
C. Naprosyn
D. Relafen
Answer: A
●● A patient has chronic headache. The headache gets worse when she
eats grapefruits or oranges. What is the diagnosis?
A. Spleen Qi Deficiency
B. Kidney Deficiency
C. Heart Qi Deficiency
D. Liver Yang Rising
