AIMC Ranks Among Top Schools in CALE Performance
- AIMC
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
The Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College (AIMC) is proud to announce its continued leadership in licensure examination performance. According to data published by the California Acupuncture Board, AIMC ranks fourth nationally among accredited institutions for first-time pass rates on the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE) between 2020 and 2024, with a first-time pass rate of 81.1%.
This strong five-year performance reflects AIMC’s commitment to rigorous academic standards, clinically integrated training, and evidence-informed pedagogy. These results are more than statistics—they represent the depth of preparation our students receive to enter practice with competence and confidence.
CALE Overview: 2020–2024
The CALE is a state-required licensure exam for acupuncture practice in California. This data reflects the performance of first-time examinees between January 2020 and December 2024.
Statewide average pass rate: 77.7% (1,132 out of 1,457 first-time examinees)
AIMC pass rate: 81.1% (60 out of 74 first-time examinees)
Institution | Pass Rate |
Alhambra Medical University (Los Angeles) | 85.4% (88/103) |
Emperor’s College (Santa Monica, closed) | 84.0% (121/144) |
ACTCM at CIIS (San Francisco, closed) | 82.6% (57/69) |
AIMC (Berkeley) | 81.1% (60/74) |
Importantly, AIMC remains one of the highest-performing active programs in California following the closures of Emperor’s and ACTCM.
Year-by-Year Pass Rate Summary
Year | First-Time Pass Rate |
2020 | 100% (both exam cycles) |
2021 | 100% (both exam cycles) |
2022 | 75% (first half), 91% (second half) |
2023 | 80% (first half), 71% (second half) |
2024 | 86% (second half only) |
Each year demonstrates a commitment to instructional quality, student support, and ongoing curriculum refinement.
National Exam Performance (NCCAOM)
In addition to CALE success, AIMC students consistently perform well on the national board exams administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)—which are required for licensure in most U.S. states outside of California.
Module | First-Time Pass Rate |
Acupuncture with Point Location | 92.2% |
Foundations of Oriental Medicine | 100% |
Biomedicine | 75.6% |
Chinese Herbology | 78.5% |
These outcomes highlight AIMC’s strength across all domains of the national licensure framework.
Why Licensure Exam Success Matters
A high first-time pass rate:
Reduces financial and emotional burden on students
Accelerates professional entry into clinical practice
Reflects high-quality instruction, assessment, and mentoring
At AIMC, student licensure success is directly tied to the strength of our academic and clinical programs. It is a key measure of our institutional effectiveness and a reflection of our students’ preparedness to serve their communities.
Preparing the Next Generation of Integrative Medicine Leaders
While licensure success is a critical benchmark, AIMC’s mission extends further. We prepare future leaders in East Asian Medicine through a curriculum that honors classical foundations, emphasizes cultural humility, and integrates modern healthcare perspectives.
Our graduates are not only qualified practitioners—they are innovators and changemakers advancing the field of integrative medicine.
💬 Reach out to Admissions at start@aimc.edu
Explore AIMC and discover how we’re shaping the next generation of integrative healthcare practitioners.