(a) These rules are promulgated under the authority of the Medical Practice Act, Title 3 Subtitle B Tex. Occ. Code and the Acupuncture Act, Chapter 205 Tex. Occ. Code, to establish procedures and standards for the training, education, licensing, and discipline of persons performing acupuncture in this State so as to establish an orderly system of regulating the practice of acupuncture in a manner which protects the health, safety, and welfare of the public.     
      (b) The Acupuncture board's functions include but are not limited to the following:      
        (1) Establish standards for the practice of acupuncture.       
        (2) Regulate the practice of acupuncture through the licensure and discipline of acupuncturists.       
        (3) Interpret the Acupuncture Act and the Acupuncture board Rules acupuncturists and the public to ensure informed professionals, allied health professionals, and consumers.       
        (4) Receive complaints and investigate possible violations of the Acupuncture Act and the Acupuncture board Rules.       
        (5) Discipline violators through appropriate legal action to enforce the Acupuncture Act and the Acupuncture board Rules.       
        (6) Provide a mechanism for public comment with regard to the Acupuncture Act and the Acupuncture board Rules.       
        (7) Review and modify the Acupuncture board rules when necessary and appropriate, subject to approval of the Medical Board.       
        (8) Examine and license qualified applicants to practice acupuncture in Texas in a manner that ensures that applicable standards are maintained.       
        (9) Provide recommendations to the legislature concerning appropriate changes to the Acupuncture Act to ensure that the acts are current and applicable to changing needs and practices.       
        (10) Provide informal public information on licensees.       
        (11) Maintain data concerning the practice of acupuncture.       
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §183.1 adopted to be effective May 16, 1994, 19 TexReg 3366; amended to be effective September 21, 2000, 25 TexReg 9217; amended to be effective March 6, 2003, 28 TexReg 1883; amended to be effective May 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 3534