The Education and Licensing of Oriental Medical Doctors (OMDs)
In 2026, the professional status of acupuncture practitioners in South Korea is highly prestigious. Acupuncture is exclusively performed by Oriental Medical Doctors (OMDs), who undergo a rigorous six-year medical program at one of the country's specialized universities.
The curriculum is a 50/50 split between traditional eastern theory and modern western medical science, including anatomy, pathology, and diagnostic imaging. This dual-education system allows OMDs to interpret MRI and CT scans while prescribing acupuncture treatments. This high level of training is why South Korea leads the world in peer-reviewed research on acupuncture, frequently publishing in international journals like The Lancet and JAMA.
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