Engaging in acupuncture or advertising as a practitioner without a license is a criminal offense in many jurisdictions (e.g., a Class 1 misdemeanor in North Carolina).
In the United States, it is for an individual to purchase or receive acupuncture needles without being a qualified practitioner authorized by state law. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as Class II prescription medical devices . Federal Regulations buy acupuncture needles without license
While the FDA sets federal rules, individual states determine who exactly is a "qualified practitioner". Engaging in acupuncture or advertising as a practitioner