Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Regulation in Canada
Canada is a country situated in North America above the United States and has a population of about 33 million people. Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories, although 86% of the population resides in 4 provinces; Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine regulation unfortunately are not nationwide in Canada; however, there are currently five provinces established by provincial/territorial law with a mandate to protect the public’s right to safe, competent and ethical services offered by registered TCM Practitioners, TCM Acupuncturists, and/or TCM Herbalists who are members of the regulatory bodies. Currently, British Columbia and Ontario regulate both TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists. Alberta, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador regulate Acupuncturists only. |
The legislation in each province differs with the following as protected titles within some provinces. Here is an example from the province of British Columbia:
The prerequisites to write the Pan-Canadian examinations vary slightly from province to province. For eligible criteria to write the exam in each province, please refer to the examination application package information provided on the website of its provincial regulatory College (links found below). In general:
In order to maintain a practitioner’s registration under their protected title, practitioners must be members of their regulatory college which include annual dues, and every two years must see a minimum of 200 patient appointments and complete 50 hours of continuing education. Ongoing criminal record checks are also conducted every so often.
- Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.) – Acupuncture only- 3 yrs. program
- Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P) – combined acupuncture and herbology with restrictions -4 yrs. program
- Doctor of TCM (Dr. TCM) -combined acupuncture and herbology without restrictions – 5 yrs. program
The prerequisites to write the Pan-Canadian examinations vary slightly from province to province. For eligible criteria to write the exam in each province, please refer to the examination application package information provided on the website of its provincial regulatory College (links found below). In general:
- R.Ac. or R.TCM.H graduation from a traditional Chinese medicine program generally comprised of at least a minimum of 1900 hours including between 450 and 600 hours of practical clinical training completed in a minimum of 3 academic years to write the exams.
- R.TCM.P exams require completion of a 2600 hours of traditional Chinese medicine program with at least 650 hours of practical clinical training.
- Dr.TCM exams require completion of a 3,250 hours traditional Chinese medicine program including a minimum of 1,050 hours of clinical instruction of which 825 hours must be supervised practice.
In order to maintain a practitioner’s registration under their protected title, practitioners must be members of their regulatory college which include annual dues, and every two years must see a minimum of 200 patient appointments and complete 50 hours of continuing education. Ongoing criminal record checks are also conducted every so often.
Regulatory Colleges Which Regulate the Practice of Acupuncture and TCM (by province)
British Columbia
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA)
Alberta
College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAAA)
Ontario
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO)
Quebec
Order of Acupuncturists Quebec (OAQ)
Newfoundland
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CTCMPANL)
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA)
Alberta
College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAAA)
Ontario
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO)
Quebec
Order of Acupuncturists Quebec (OAQ)
Newfoundland
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CTCMPANL)
Find Registered Acupuncturists/TCM Practitioners (in regulated provinces)
British Columbia
https://portal.ctcma.bc.ca/public
Alberta
http://acupuncturealberta.ca/caaa-member-directory-a-e/
Ontario
http://tcmpao.asicanada.net/imis15/registry
Quebec
http://www.o-a-q.org/fr/trouver-un-acupuncteur.aspx
Newfoundland
http://ctcmpanl.ca/about-us/members/membership-list-updated-june-2016/
https://portal.ctcma.bc.ca/public
Alberta
http://acupuncturealberta.ca/caaa-member-directory-a-e/
Ontario
http://tcmpao.asicanada.net/imis15/registry
Quebec
http://www.o-a-q.org/fr/trouver-un-acupuncteur.aspx
Newfoundland
http://ctcmpanl.ca/about-us/members/membership-list-updated-june-2016/
Find Acupuncturists/TCM Practitioners in Other Provinces (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI)
Contact:
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada
Head Office
Email: cmaac@execulink.com or headoffice@cmaac.ca
Telephone: (519) 642-1970
Fax: (519) 642-2932
Website: www.cmaac.ca
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada
Head Office
Email: cmaac@execulink.com or headoffice@cmaac.ca
Telephone: (519) 642-1970
Fax: (519) 642-2932
Website: www.cmaac.ca