History of the regulation of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists in B.C.
Acupuncture became a designated health profession under the Health Professions Act on April 1, 1996, and traditional Chinese medicine followed on December 4, 2000. Prior to these designations, both professions were unregulated in British Columbia.
In 1996, the government established the College of Acupuncturists of British Columbia. In 1999, its mandate was expanded to regulate both acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine under the College of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists of BC.
Currently, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC under the Health Professions and Occupations Act.