I’m not from US and English is not my first language. In USA, this seems a good place to start looking for a Certified Practitioner:
“The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Master's-level programs in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession.”
http://www.acaom.org/
And…
"The mission of the NCCAOM is to establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public."
http://www.nccaom.org/
Also interesting:
http://www.medicalacupuncturefacts.com/
As a former TCM student, all I can tell is that “my” School requires 5 years for Academic Graduation with periods of training and formation in the People's Republic of China. That particular School was the first Department of a Chinese University outside their territory, with students having direct access to the University post-graduations and all other degrees. Some of the teachers are also graduated doctors in Western Medicine.
Does that make me a TCM expert? Hell, NO! With just one year of classes, I’m not qualified to help you further, but I know enough to refrain from serious shit comments.
So, for some serious laugh, a most instructive video: