Member Organisations Benefits
- ARA is a stakeholder group welcoming ALL acupuncture groups, organisations, colleges and practitioners. Many groups have come together to collaborate united by a passion to protect and enhance our profession together.
Organisation Benefits
Have your organisation represented at the stakeholder table so you can have your say. We offer a large range of discounts with our partners (see below) which you can offer to your group which instantly brings value to your organisation.
ARA offers the following additional specific organisational benefits –
Our full list of benefits for colleges or organisations – can you afford not to join us?
Free access to a professional zoom platform for meetings
Free unlimited email and website hosting with full backups for your organisations domains and hosting.
First year membership discounts for your organisations practitioners
Have a representative from your organisation on the Working Board
Full professional and legal advice for your organisation
Use our Acupuncture and Herbal Professional Codes of Safe Practice and Conduct ensuring practitioners work to the same recognised UK standard
Heavily discounted, flexible professional indemnity insurance schemes for your practitioners
Access our wide range of health insurance companies for clients
Access to our Facebook members’ forum
Access to over 85 legal policies, contracts and business terms for your organisations use
Clinical and professional advice
Use of our recognised quality mark/logo to display professional status as a recognised partner or training provider
Free advertising for your organisations events and courses
Professional status and formal recognition for your organisations practitioners as a Healthcare Professional
We have a strong safety record, with fully verified audits and low/zero insurance claim history
A dedicated members’ area accessible via the internet or our phone app, giving your organisation’s members access to policies, guidance sheets, and patient information resources
Free listing for your organisations practitioners on our clinical/practitioner locator map and search tool to attract new clients
Responsive, direct support – easily contactable via email, WhatsApp text, or phone call
Access to Mentoring and Supervision sessions
Access to our Herbalist Register allowing you to work with a herbalist
Discounted First Aid for Work courses run by acupuncturists
Access to medical courses such as phlebotomy and blood testing
Register your clinic via our partner as a medical clinic with Care Quality Commission (CQC)
50% off membership to the College of Medicine
Hotel discounts
Discounted digital DBS checks
Access to digital copies of the Clinician Magazine (hard copies available for an additional fee)
Documentation on how to write a clinical will
Access to our unique, low-cost “no contract” sharps disposal service
Access to London licensing exemptions covering acupuncture and related modalities
Advisories on industry standard guidelines for treating patients under 18
A host of member benefit partners and discounts allowing you to offer more services and products within your practice
Recognition and acceptance by numerous healthcare organisations and associations
Discounts on diploma, CPD training and educational courses
Board representation within the ARA (the UK acupuncture stakeholder group), giving members a stronger collective voice in policy decisions and full representation in decisions affecting the future of the acupuncture profession
Track record of successful advocacy and challenging and changing UK government policy
Refer-a-friend affiliate discounts and commissions
Regular newsletters keeping your organisations practitioners current with developments in the profession
Support for continuing education and research
Fair, affordable annual membership fees
Gold standard insurance and support in the event of adverse incidents
An explicit, values-led commitment to inclusive, non-judgemental support for all practitioners
If you are a college and have students, in addition to the above we can also offer:
Apply for a Student Totum (NUS) discount card via our link
Access our discounted Gold Standard Student Insurance
Healthcare Providers
Membership Partners
At ARA, we’ve forged partnerships to benefit every facet of your practice. Enjoy exclusive discounts on clinic supplies, specialized training, and pharmaceutical references. Access cutting-edge antimicrobial solutions, discounted room rates, and educational resources tailored to your needs. From supplements for your patients to specialized training in emotional therapeutic counseling, ARA’s network offers a wealth of opportunities to enhance your professional journey.
Suppliers of High Quality Herbs and Training
We have partnerships with wonderful herbal suppliers with years of experience of preparing high quality herbs and combinations to add value to your clients in clinic.
Mushroom Nutrition
Myconutrition is an emerging home market. Enjoy online training in this field and a facebook community with a very high quality mushroom nutrition producer backed by research.
Therapy Wholesale Shop
Trade Prices on all your clinical needs. Contact us for supplies. This is only available for ARA registrants.
Balens
Balens Ltd are proud to have been working with the Acupuncture Regulatory Authority for over 7 years, offering a bespoke scheme for ARA registrants at a discounted premium.
Supplements for your Patients
We have secured great partnerships with high quality supplement producers for you to recommend to your clients.
First Aid training including Paediatric First Aid
Emergency First Aid At Work Training & Paediatric First Aid Training by an expert in locations around the country. Login for more details.
Training in Counselling Skills
Have you considered formal training in counselling? AETC offer a Level 3 Foundation Training in Counselling at discounted rate for ARA registrants.
Private Testing for Your clients
Add value to your patients in clinic by working with our partners with the benefit of their support.
Discount Cards for you
Apply for discounts from many retailers. Great deals from great names.
Pharmaceutical Reference Book
Connect to the BNF app on your tablet or phone for latest info on medication
Anti-microbial spray for your clinic
Clinisept provides a state of the art antimicrobial spray which is entirely non toxic and works with the body to kill off microbes, bacteria, fungal infections and the spores!
For when you Travel
We have negotiated a discount with nationwide hotel chains for business and pleasure.
Discounted clinic supplies
We have lots of consumables for you in clinic at a discounted rate from reputable suppliers of needles, moxa, herbal supplements and other clinical supplies.
Sharps Disposal Service
Our Sharps collection and waste management partnership offers great flexibility and pricing. Login to find more details.
Great Deals for taking Payments
We have a great deal to reduce your overheads in clinic. Acupuncturist and herbalists: Login to find the best pricing for you.
Membership discount to EBA
If you love research – you will really feel at home at EBA. discount for members available – contact admin@ara-org.uk for the discount code.
Hifas da Terra
We have partnered with Hifas da Terra. Europe’s leading research-based, practitioner brand of mushroom supplements and skincare formulations. With over 25 years of clinical research, Hifas demonstrates the safety, quality, and efficacy of their mushroom supplements
ARA Affinity Insurance Form
ARA have partnered with Balens Insurance. The insurance scheme is the called the “ARA Affinity Scheme“. This scheme is advantageously priced as it is a broad policy that covers the other membership bodies of our umbrella organisation Acupuncture Regulatory Authority (ARA). If you decide to call Balens about our policy, please note that there are many departments and you should ask to speak to someone about the “ARA Affinity Scheme“ on 01684 580771.
Insurance Requirements
Who We Cover
This insurance only covers practitioners who are:
current members of the ARA
current members of another ARA member organisation with full membership of ARA
You will not be covered if:
your registration with the ARA has expired and you are not a member of another ARA member organisation with full membership of ARA
Types of Cover
There are four categories of insurance:
Auricular Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese
Medicine
Student
Pricing
Auricular Acupuncture – £60.53
Full Acupuncture – £66.13
Acupuncture & Herbs – £84.61
Student Insurance – £22.67
Cover Duration
Your annual policy runs from 1st June to the 31st May the following year. Members can join the scheme at four different points during the year, and the premium is then calculated on a pro-rata basis for each of the four areas listed above.
There is a detailed breakdown by area on pages 3 and 4 on the ARA Insurance Form, and additional items are listed under each area e.g., Cupping, Gua Sha, Electro Acupuncture and Moxibustion are listed under the Acupuncture Premium.
Cover for Blood Letting
ARA have arranged directly with the insurance carrier to include registrants for Blood Letting and you can tick this option on page 8 of the ARA Affinity Insurance Form if you require cover for it.
Please note you must be qualified in Acupuncture and hold an additional qualification in Blood Letting techniques as per the guidance on page 5.
Blood letting and using Semi Permanent needles require additional training. You should be able to demonstrate that you have done additional training.
Cover for ASP and Semi-Permanent Needles
If you require insurance for semi-permanent needles e.g., Seirin Spinex needles or ASPs, either on the body or with auricular acupuncture, you will need to demonstrate that you have had additional training. Equally – you will need to read the guidance notes as Balens may ask you further questions.