About

The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) regulates chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopathic physicians, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists to ensure they have the competencies needed to practice and that they adhere to the standards needed for safe and ethical care.

Our Regulatory Role

In B.C.’s healthcare landscape, the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC is dedicated to regulating health professionals whose professions harmonize wisdom with diverse and innovative health practices: chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, massage therapists, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists. 

By regulating these professions in the public interest, the College helps uphold these professionals to the highest standards of safety, ethics, and care. 

The formation of the College in June 2024, merged distinct, yet complementary health professions under one regulatory banner, representing a significant leap forward in health regulation. This strategic unification has been designed to streamline regulatory processes, elevate public safety, and cultivate an integrated health community through shared knowledge, resources, and standards.

Central to the College’s mission is its role to serve the public interest by working to ensure ethical and safe healthcare, with a commitment to transparency and integrity. It fulfills this role in several ways:

  • by rigorously enforcing professional standards and practices,
  • by managing the registration and professional development of the health professionals it regulates,
  • by managing and responding to public complaints.

 

Professions We Regulate

Chiropractors

What is A Chiropractor?

Chiropractors are licensed health-care professionals who:
  • diagnose and assess disorders of the spine or other joints of the body, muscles and the nervous system
  • treat disorders and conditions of the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems with a variety of treatment options, including manual therapy, massage, exercise recommendations, and posture correction
  • provide advice and counselling on matters related to the condition of the spine and other joints, muscles, and the nervous system
  • are permitted to take and read X-rays when they are clinically necessary to assist in diagnosis

Use of Reserved Titles

In B.C., only chiropractors who are licensed with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC can legally call themselves:
  • “Chiropractor”
  • “Chiropractic Doctor”
  • “Doctor of Chiropractic”

Standards & Legislation

Chiropractors in B.C. are governed under the following:

as well as other provincial legislation applicable to health professionals.

Registry

Use the registry to verify that an individual is currently licensed to practice with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC, and to see information about credentials and scope of practice.

Complaints

Chiropractors must practice in a competent, safe and ethical manner. If you have concerns that the care you received does not meet the standards of practice, please share them with the College by filing a complaint.

Naturopathic Physicians

What is a naturopathic physician?

Naturopathic physicians are licensed health-care professionals who provide:

  • Health care services that combine modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine
  • both primary care and complementary medicine, treating acute and chronic conditions while also promoting prevention and overall well-being.

The philosophy of naturopathic medicine is to stimulate the body’s natural healing power, addressing the root cause of illness rather than simply treating symptoms. Naturopathic treatments are tailored to each individual patient to enhance overall health and wellness.

Use of Reserved Titles

In B.C., only naturopathic physicians who are licensed with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC may use the following titles:

  • “naturopathic doctor”
  • “naturopathic physician”
  • “naturopath”

Standards & Legislation

Naturopathic physicians in B.C. are governed under the following:

as well as other provincial legislation applicable to health professionals.

Registry

Use the Registry to verify that an individual is currently registered/licensed to practice with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC, and to see information about credentials and scope of practice.

Complaints

Naturopathic Physicians must practice in a competent, safe and ethical manner. If you have concerns that the care you received does not meet the standards of practice, please share them with the College by filing a complaint.

Massage Therapists

What is a Massage Therapist?

Massage therapists are licensed health-care professionals who:

  • assess soft tissue and joints of the body for the treatment and prevention of dysfunction, injury, pain and physical disorders
  • have undergone extensive post-secondary education in the treatment and prevention of injury, pain and physical disorders though the manual manipulation of structures of the body, such as ligaments, tendons, connective tissue, muscles, blood vessels, organs and other soft tissues.

Use of Reserved Titles

In B.C., only massage therapists who are licensed with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC can legally call themselves:

  • “Registered Massage Therapist”
  • “Massage Therapist”
  • “Registered Massage Practitioner”
  • “Massage Practitioner”
  • Or, the abbreviations “RMT”, “MT”, “RMP”, and “MP”

In addition, anyone who is not a College licensee in the designated health profession of massage therapy is prohibited from using these titles as part of a different or longer title to describe themselves or their work.

The terms “massage specialist”, “bodyworker”, “spa therapist”, and “Raynor therapist” are not reserved by law in BC. Any individual with an interest in massage, no matter his/her/their level of education, may use these terms. These unregulated individuals do not necessarily carry liability insurance and there is no recourse to the College should they practice unsafely, ineffectively, or unethically.

Standards & Legislation

Massage therapists in B.C. are governed under the following:

as well as other provincial legislation applicable to health professionals.

Registry

Use the Registry to verify that an individual is currently licensed to practice with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC, and to see information about credentials and scope of practice.

Complaints

Massage Therapists must practice in a competent, safe and ethical manner. If you have concerns that the care you received does not meet the standards of practice, please share them with the College by filing a complaint.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists

What is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner/acupuncturist?

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists are licensed health-care professionals who:

  • look at the balance of body, mind and spirit to determine how to restore the yin-yang balance (qi) and good health
  • have extended clinical practice, advanced training, and substantive theoretical knowledge
  • are trained to diagnose various conditions
  • can help prevent disease and manage certain disorders and imbalances using a range of treatments. Treatment can include acupuncture, cupping, acupressure, herbal medicines, massage, exercise, lifestyle counselling, and other holistic health approaches.

Use of Reserved Titles

In B.C., only traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists who are licensed with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC can legally call themselves:

  • Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P.): Authorized to practise acupuncture, and prescribe, compound, or dispense Chinese herbal medicine.
  • Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.): Authorized to practise acupuncture.
  • Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbalist (R.TCM.H.): Authorized to prescribe, compound, or dispense Chinese herbal medicine.
  • Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Dr.TCM): Authorized to practise acupuncture, and prescribe, compound, or dispense Chinese herbal medicine. Has met training and examination requirements at a higher level than registrants with titles listed above.

Standards & Legislation

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists in B.C. are governed under the following:

as well as other provincial legislation applicable to health professionals.

Registry

Use the Registry to verify that an individual is currently licensed to practice with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC, and to see information about credentials and scope of practice.

Complaints

Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists must practice in a competent, safe and ethical manner. If you have concerns that the care you received does not meet the standards of practice, please share them with the College by filing a complaint.

Other Health Regulatory Colleges in BC

Regulates audiologists, dietitians, hearing instrument practitioners, occupational therapists, opticians, optometrists, physical therapists, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists.

Regulates licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and midwives.

Regulates certified dental assistants, dental hygienists, dental technicians, dental therapists, dentists, and denturists.

Regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and the pharmacies where they practice.

Regulates physicians and surgeons.

Strengthening Anti-Discrimination Practices at Our College 

At the College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia (CCHPBC), all work is grounded in a foundation of anti-discrimination. This approach is guided by the “cupcake” analogy shared with CCHPBC by X’staam Hana’ax (Nicole Halbauer), MBA, of H.E.A.L. Healthcare (Hearts-based Education and Anticolonial Learning), who supports the organization’s learning in this area. The cupcake analogy illustrates how anti-discrimination is neither an add-on area nor a finishing touch, but the essential base upon which everything else is built. 

CCHPBC understands anti-discrimination as fundamentally embedded in our strategy, operations, culture, decision-making, and outcomes. It is inalienable, something that cannot be removed without fundamentally and dramatically changing the organization itself. In the cupcake analogy, anti-discrimination is the batter, baked into how CCHPBC operates, how decisions are made, how employees show up in the workplace, and ultimately how CCHPBC fulfills its public protection mandate.  

Anti-discrimination at CCHPBC is not a separate initiative or a discrete set of activities. Instead, it is integrated into, and inseparable from, everyday rhythms and ways of working. Philosophically, CCHPBC believes this embedded approach is where real and lasting progress occurs. By weaving anti-discrimination into the very texture and fabric of CCHPBC, rather than treating it as a standalone effort, CCHPBC ensures this work remains meaningful, effective, and durable over time. 

Territorial acknowledgement


The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) regulates more than 14,000 health professionals, including: acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopathic physicians, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, who practise in the province of what is referred to today as B.C. We acknowledge that the College serves all people living in the traditional and unceded territories of more than 200 First Nations which comprise the land colonially known as British Columbia.

CCHPBC Bylaws

The College’s bylaws set out the details of the operation of the organization, including: 

  • the duties and responsibilities of a governing Board, Committees and the registrar 
  • qualifications for registration and licensing
  • the regulation of professional conduct and ethics
  • fee schedules.

Bylaws are enacted by the College’s Board and are subject to oversight by the Minister of Health. 

Bylaws under Health Professions and Occupations Act

CCHPBC Bylaws – In Effect

Bylaws under Health Professions Act

CCHPBC Bylaws – Superseded

 

Staff

Carin Plischke

Registrar & CEO

Carin is a trained occupational therapist. She was the Registrar and CEO of the College of Occupational Therapists of BC (COTBC). Prior to that, Carin served on the COTBC Board, including as Board Chair. Other roles have included working as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Lead, Special Projects, at the Office of the Seniors Advocate, and as a Leading Practice Reviewer with the Health Standards Organization. Carin is a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

  • Aaron Gray, Executive Director, Communications
  • Cameron Cowper, Executive Director, Office of the Registrar 
  • Jane Sun, Executive Director, Strategy, Quality Improvement and Performance
  • Jonathan Ho, Executive Director, Operations & Deputy Registrar
  • Kate Parisotto, Chief Regulatory Officer
  • Edyta Kowalska, Director, Licensure
  • Lee Dorner, Director, Inquiry & Discipline
  • Michelle Lui, Director, Quality Assurance & Practice

Careers With CCHPBC

The employees of the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) work in a team-based environment where the contributions of each individual are valued. We take pride in offering our employees salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that are competitive within our industry. We also encourage and provide the support needed for each person to develop their professional skills. We focus on creating and maintaining a workforce that honours inclusivity and diversity.