CALIFORNIA ACUPUNCTURE LICENSING EXAMINATION
(CALE) NEWEST 100 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES LATEST UPDATES
2026-2027 (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY
GRADED A+
Question 1
According to the California Acupuncture Board, how many hours of continuing education are
required for license renewal every two years?
A) 16 hours
B) 25 hours
C) 30 hours
D) 50 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: The California Acupuncture Board requires 50 hours of continuing education (CE)
every two years for license renewal. Of these, at least 25 hours must be in Category 1 (live or
interactive courses). The remaining hours may be in Category 2. Failure to complete the
required CE will result in license expiration.
Question 2
Which of the following points is located on the Pericardium meridian and is considered the
Jing-Well point?
A) PC 3
B) PC 6
C) PC 8
D) PC 9
Answer: D
Rationale: PC 9 (Zhongchong) is the Jing-Well point of the Pericardium meridian, located at
,the center of the tip of the middle finger. PC 3 is the He-Sea point, PC 6 is the Luo-Connecting
point, and PC 8 is the Ying-Spring point.
Question 3
A patient presents with a red, swollen, painful eye, headache, and a bitter taste in the mouth.
The tongue is red with yellow coating, and the pulse is wiry and rapid. Which TCM pattern is
most likely?
A) Liver Yang Rising
B) Liver Fire Blazing Upward
C) Heart Fire
D) Stomach Fire
Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms of red, swollen, painful eye, bitter taste, and wiry rapid pulse
indicate Liver Fire rising upward along the meridian. Liver Yang Rising typically includes
dizziness and irritability without the strong heat signs. Heart Fire would involve tongue ulcers
and mental restlessness. Stomach Fire involves burning epigastric pain and excessive appetite.
Question 4
In clean needle technique, which of the following is the correct order of steps before needle
insertion?
A) Palpate point, swab skin, insert needle
B) Wash hands, locate point, swab skin with 70% isopropyl alcohol using an inward-to-
outward circular motion, allow to dry, insert needle
C) Apply oil, insert needle, swab skin
D) Swab skin, wash hands, insert needle
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is first. The skin is cleansed with 70% isopropyl alcohol using a
circular motion from the center outward, then allowed to air dry to prevent contamination
and reduce pain. Palpation may be done after cleaning if a clean glove or alcohol swab is
used. Insertion follows drying.
Question 5
Which point is contraindicated for needling during pregnancy because it may induce labor?
,A) LI 4
B) ST 36
C) GB 34
D) LU 9
Answer: A
Rationale: LI 4 (Hegu) is traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy due to its strong
descending and labor-inducing effects, along with SP 6 and points on the lower abdomen. ST
36 is generally safe, GB 34 is safe, and LU 9 is safe. Caution is always required.
Question 6
According to the California Acupuncture Board, an acupuncturist must retain patient records
for a minimum of how many years?
A) 3 years
B) 5 years
C) 7 years
D) 10 years
Answer: C
Rationale: California Code of Regulations Title 16, Section 1399.457, requires licensed
acupuncturists to maintain patient records for a minimum of seven years from the date of the
last treatment. This includes all clinical documentation, informed consent, and billing records.
Minors' records are kept until one year after they turn 18, but not less than seven years.
Question 7
A patient with chronic low back pain worse with rest and better with movement,
accompanied by a feeling of cold, and a deep, weak pulse, is likely manifesting a pattern of:
A) Qi and Blood Stagnation
B) Kidney Yang Deficiency
C) Damp-Cold Bi Syndrome
D) Liver Qi Stagnation
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic low back pain worsened by rest, improved with gentle movement, with
cold sensation and weak pulse, points to Kidney Yang Deficiency, failing to warm and
strengthen the back. Qi and Blood Stagnation typically presents with stabbing, fixed pain.
, Damp-Cold Bi is aggravated by cold and damp weather. Liver Qi Stagnation involves
distending pain related to stress.
Question 8
The “Luo-Connecting” point of the Spleen meridian is:
A) SP 1
B) SP 4
C) SP 6
D) SP 10
Answer: B
Rationale: SP 4 (Gongsun) is the Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen meridian and also the
Confluent point of the Chong Mai. SP 1 is Jing-Well, SP 6 is the meeting point of the three leg
Yin meridians, and SP 10 is the Xi-Cleft point.
Question 9
A patient develops a pneumothorax after acupuncture needling near the upper back. The
acupuncturist’s immediate responsibility is to:
A) Remove all needles and continue treatment
B) Immediately call emergency medical services (911) and provide first aid while waiting
C) Ask the patient to wait in the waiting room
D) Insert more needles to relieve pain
Answer: B
Rationale: A pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency. The practitioner must stop
treatment, remove needles, monitor vital signs, and activate EMS immediately. Delaying care
or continuing treatment is unacceptable and violates the standard of care.
Question 10
Which of the following points is located 2 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous
process of T3?
A) UB 11
B) UB 12
C) UB 13
D) UB 14
(CALE) NEWEST 100 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES LATEST UPDATES
2026-2027 (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY
GRADED A+
Question 1
According to the California Acupuncture Board, how many hours of continuing education are
required for license renewal every two years?
A) 16 hours
B) 25 hours
C) 30 hours
D) 50 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: The California Acupuncture Board requires 50 hours of continuing education (CE)
every two years for license renewal. Of these, at least 25 hours must be in Category 1 (live or
interactive courses). The remaining hours may be in Category 2. Failure to complete the
required CE will result in license expiration.
Question 2
Which of the following points is located on the Pericardium meridian and is considered the
Jing-Well point?
A) PC 3
B) PC 6
C) PC 8
D) PC 9
Answer: D
Rationale: PC 9 (Zhongchong) is the Jing-Well point of the Pericardium meridian, located at
,the center of the tip of the middle finger. PC 3 is the He-Sea point, PC 6 is the Luo-Connecting
point, and PC 8 is the Ying-Spring point.
Question 3
A patient presents with a red, swollen, painful eye, headache, and a bitter taste in the mouth.
The tongue is red with yellow coating, and the pulse is wiry and rapid. Which TCM pattern is
most likely?
A) Liver Yang Rising
B) Liver Fire Blazing Upward
C) Heart Fire
D) Stomach Fire
Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms of red, swollen, painful eye, bitter taste, and wiry rapid pulse
indicate Liver Fire rising upward along the meridian. Liver Yang Rising typically includes
dizziness and irritability without the strong heat signs. Heart Fire would involve tongue ulcers
and mental restlessness. Stomach Fire involves burning epigastric pain and excessive appetite.
Question 4
In clean needle technique, which of the following is the correct order of steps before needle
insertion?
A) Palpate point, swab skin, insert needle
B) Wash hands, locate point, swab skin with 70% isopropyl alcohol using an inward-to-
outward circular motion, allow to dry, insert needle
C) Apply oil, insert needle, swab skin
D) Swab skin, wash hands, insert needle
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is first. The skin is cleansed with 70% isopropyl alcohol using a
circular motion from the center outward, then allowed to air dry to prevent contamination
and reduce pain. Palpation may be done after cleaning if a clean glove or alcohol swab is
used. Insertion follows drying.
Question 5
Which point is contraindicated for needling during pregnancy because it may induce labor?
,A) LI 4
B) ST 36
C) GB 34
D) LU 9
Answer: A
Rationale: LI 4 (Hegu) is traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy due to its strong
descending and labor-inducing effects, along with SP 6 and points on the lower abdomen. ST
36 is generally safe, GB 34 is safe, and LU 9 is safe. Caution is always required.
Question 6
According to the California Acupuncture Board, an acupuncturist must retain patient records
for a minimum of how many years?
A) 3 years
B) 5 years
C) 7 years
D) 10 years
Answer: C
Rationale: California Code of Regulations Title 16, Section 1399.457, requires licensed
acupuncturists to maintain patient records for a minimum of seven years from the date of the
last treatment. This includes all clinical documentation, informed consent, and billing records.
Minors' records are kept until one year after they turn 18, but not less than seven years.
Question 7
A patient with chronic low back pain worse with rest and better with movement,
accompanied by a feeling of cold, and a deep, weak pulse, is likely manifesting a pattern of:
A) Qi and Blood Stagnation
B) Kidney Yang Deficiency
C) Damp-Cold Bi Syndrome
D) Liver Qi Stagnation
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic low back pain worsened by rest, improved with gentle movement, with
cold sensation and weak pulse, points to Kidney Yang Deficiency, failing to warm and
strengthen the back. Qi and Blood Stagnation typically presents with stabbing, fixed pain.
, Damp-Cold Bi is aggravated by cold and damp weather. Liver Qi Stagnation involves
distending pain related to stress.
Question 8
The “Luo-Connecting” point of the Spleen meridian is:
A) SP 1
B) SP 4
C) SP 6
D) SP 10
Answer: B
Rationale: SP 4 (Gongsun) is the Luo-Connecting point of the Spleen meridian and also the
Confluent point of the Chong Mai. SP 1 is Jing-Well, SP 6 is the meeting point of the three leg
Yin meridians, and SP 10 is the Xi-Cleft point.
Question 9
A patient develops a pneumothorax after acupuncture needling near the upper back. The
acupuncturist’s immediate responsibility is to:
A) Remove all needles and continue treatment
B) Immediately call emergency medical services (911) and provide first aid while waiting
C) Ask the patient to wait in the waiting room
D) Insert more needles to relieve pain
Answer: B
Rationale: A pneumothorax is a life-threatening emergency. The practitioner must stop
treatment, remove needles, monitor vital signs, and activate EMS immediately. Delaying care
or continuing treatment is unacceptable and violates the standard of care.
Question 10
Which of the following points is located 2 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous
process of T3?
A) UB 11
B) UB 12
C) UB 13
D) UB 14
