Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists – Applicants

New Graduates of an Education Program in BC

If you have graduated from an education program in BC, the requirements for registration are:

Graduation from a TCM Education Program

The education programs required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become an R.Ac. = Acupuncturist
To become an R.TCM.H. = TCM Herbalist
To become an R.TCM.P. = TCM Practitioner
To become a Dr.TCM = Dr.TCM

Please refer to the College Bylaws for a list of recognized programs. Requirements on transcripts are available on the Transcripts Requirements page.

Two Years of Liberal Arts or Sciences Study

All applicants are required to complete not less than two (2) years of liberal arts or sciences study (comprised of at least 60 credits) in an accredited college or chartered/approved university acceptable to the registration committee. Courses cannot be used to satisfy more than one requirement (e.g., for both Acupuncturist education and Two Years of Liberal Arts or Sciences Study); in other words, double use of courses is not acceptable. Please refer to the Transcripts Requirement page for further details.

Registration Examinations

The registration examinations required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become an R.Ac. = Acupuncturists
To become an R.TCM.H. = TCM Herbalists
To become an R.TCM.P. = Acupuncturists*, TCM Herbalists*, TCM Practitioners*
To become a Dr.TCM = Acupuncturists*, TCM Herbalists*, TCM Practitioners*, Dr.TCM

*The Pan-Canadian Examinations for Acupuncturists and the Pan-Canadian Examinations for TCM Herbalists together is equivalent to the Pan-Canadian Examinations for TCM Practitioner.

CCHPBC Jurisprudence Examination

All applicants are required to complete the Jurisprudence Examination for registration. Please refer to the Jurisprudence Examination section for further details and instructions.

CCHPBC Safety Examination/Interactive Safety Course

All applicants applying for registration with the College must successfully complete the Interactive Safety Course.

The Interactive Safety Course modules required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become R.Ac.

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

To become R.TCM.H.

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

To become R.TCM.P. ***

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

To become Dr.TCM ***

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

*** Required modules for R.TCM.P and Dr.TCM are the same. If the Course taker has completed the Course when applying for R.TCM.P, then they don’t need to repeat the Course when applying for Dr.TCM later.

Standard First Aid and CPR-C Certifications

*As of July 6, 2023, full registrants are required to hold current and valid Standard First Aid with Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR-C) certifications under the College Bylaws.

The Quality Assurance Committee has specified the following Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications as acceptable to fulfill this requirement:

Heart and Stroke Foundation – Standard First Aid CPR and AED Level C
Canadian Red Cross – Standard First Aid & CPR
St. John Ambulance – Standard First Aid with CPR-C and AED
Lifesaving Society – Standard First Aid (with CPR)
Canadian Ski Patrol – Standard First Aid and CPR training in the ski patrol training program

Certifications equivalent or exceeding the certification courses listed above are acceptable. For example, St. John Ambulance offers a “CPR-BLS & AED” course specific for healthcare workers and is considered equivalent in certification level with the regular “CPR-C & AED” course. Both courses can satisfy the CPR-C certification registration requirement in the Bylaws.

In general, courses that are titled “Emergency First Aid” are at a lower certification level than the “Standard First Aid” courses; and hence DO NOT satisfy the Standard First-Aid registration requirement in the Bylaws.

*Please note: All registrants, new or current, are expected to meet this requirement by March 31, 2024. All registrants are required to report meeting this requirement during annual registration renewal.

Criminal Record Check

Before you submit your registration application, you are responsible for completing a Criminal Record Check (CRC) conducted by the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP). To ensure a smooth process, you must allow a few weeks for CRRP to process your CRC request and follow up the request by contacting CRRP. For further details and instructions, please refer to the Criminal Record Check section.

Evidence of Good Character

All applicants are required to obtain signatures from two referees who are Canadian citizens. One of them should be a regulated health professional (registrant of a College or Order), preferably a CCHPBC registrant.

Documentation on Authorization to Work

All applicants are required to submit proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or other statutory authorization (such as a Work Permit).

Application Form and Fees

Please use the forms below to submit your application to register.

Application and registration fees are available under the College Bylaws and also in the application form.

Application Fee: $100

Annual Registration Fee: $850*

*For applicants registered after April 1 in any year, the fee will be prorated based on the number of months remaining until March 31, multiplied by the calculated monthly rate of the applicable annual fee. Please refer to the application form for the proration schedule.

New Graduates of an Education Program Outside BC

If you have graduated from an education program outside of BC, the requirements for registration are:

Graduation from a TCM Education Program

The education programs required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become an R.Ac. = Acupuncturist
To become an R.TCM.H. = TCM Herbalist
To become an R.TCM.P. = TCM Practitioner
To become a Dr.TCM = Dr.TCM

The education program graduated from must meet the requirements in the College Bylaws. Courses cannot be used to satisfy more than one requirement (e.g., for both Acupuncturist education and Two Years of Liberal Arts or Sciences Study); in other words, double use of courses is not acceptable. Please refer to the Transcripts Requirements section for further details.

Two Years of Liberal Arts or Sciences Study

Registration Examinations

The registration examinations required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become an R.Ac. = Acupuncturists
To become an R.TCM.H. = TCM Herbalists
To become an R.TCM.P. = Acupuncturists*, TCM Herbalists*, TCM Practitioners*
To become a Dr.TCM = Acupuncturists*, TCM Herbalists*, TCM Practitioners*, Dr.TCM

*The Pan-Canadian Examinations for Acupuncturists and the Pan-Canadian Examinations for TCM Herbalists together is equivalent to the Pan-Canadian Examinations for TCM Practitioner.

CCHPBC Jurisprudence Examination

All applicants are required to complete the Jurisprudence Examination for registration. Please refer to the Jurisprudence Examination section for further details and instructions.

CCHPBC Safety Examination/Interactive Safety Course

All applicants applying for registration with the College must successfully complete the Interactive Safety Course.

The Interactive Safety Course modules required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become R.Ac.

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

To become R.TCM.H.

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

To become R.TCM.P. ***

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

To become Dr.TCM ***

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

Standard First Aid and CPR-C Certifications

*As of July 6, 2023, full registrants are required to hold current and valid Standard First Aid with Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR-C) certifications under the College Bylaws.

The Quality Assurance Committee has specified the following Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications as acceptable to fulfill this requirement:

Heart and Stroke Foundation – Standard First Aid CPR and AED Level C
Canadian Red Cross – Standard First Aid & CPR
St. John Ambulance – Standard First Aid with CPR-C and AED
Lifesaving Society – Standard First Aid (with CPR)
Canadian Ski Patrol – Standard First Aid and CPR training in the ski patrol training program

Criminal Record Check

Evidence of Good Character

Documentation on Authorization to Work

All applicants are required to submit proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or other statutory authorization (such as a Work Permit).

Application Form and Fees

Please use the forms below to submit your application to register.

Application and registration fees are available under the College Bylaws and also in the application form.

Application Fee: $100

Annual Registration Fee: $850*

Internationally Trained Practitioners

FormIf you have graduated from an education program outside Canada, the requirements for registration are:

Graduation from a TCM Education Program

The education programs required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become an R.Ac. = Acupuncturist
To become an R.TCM.H. = TCM Herbalist
To become an R.TCM.P. = TCM Practitioner
To become a Dr.TCM = Dr.TCM

The education program graduated from must meet the requirements in the College Bylaws. Courses cannot be used to satisfy more than one requirement (e.g., for both Acupuncturist education and Two Years of Liberal Arts or Sciences Study); in other words, double use of courses is not acceptable. Please refer to the Transcripts Requirements section for further details.

Two Years of Liberal Arts or Sciences Study

Registration Examinations

The registration examinations required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become an R.Ac. = Acupuncturists
To become an R.TCM.H. = TCM Herbalists
To become an R.TCM.P. = Acupuncturists*, TCM Herbalists*, TCM Practitioners*
To become a Dr.TCM = Acupuncturists*, TCM Herbalists*, TCM Practitioners*, Dr.TCM

*The Pan-Canadian Examinations for Acupuncturists and the Pan-Canadian Examinations for TCM Herbalists together is equivalent to the Pan-Canadian Examinations for TCM Practitioner.

CCHPBC Jurisprudence Examination

All applicants are required to complete the Jurisprudence Examination for registration. Please refer to the Jurisprudence Examination section for further details and instructions.

CCHPBC Safety Examination/Interactive Safety Course

All applicants applying for registration with the College must successfully complete the Interactive Safety Course.

The Interactive Safety Course modules required to register for each registration title are as follow.

To become R.Ac.

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

To become R.TCM.H.

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

To become R.TCM.P. ***

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

To become Dr.TCM ***

1 – Infection and Prevention Control

2 – Risk Management of TCM Practice

3 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Acupuncture

4 – Safe Procedures and Practices – Herbology

Standard First Aid and CPR-C Certifications

*As of July 6, 2023, full registrants are required to hold current and valid Standard First Aid with Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR-C) certifications under the College Bylaws.

The Quality Assurance Committee has specified the following Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications as acceptable to fulfill this requirement:

Heart and Stroke Foundation – Standard First Aid CPR and AED Level C
Canadian Red Cross – Standard First Aid & CPR
St. John Ambulance – Standard First Aid with CPR-C and AED
Lifesaving Society – Standard First Aid (with CPR)
Canadian Ski Patrol – Standard First Aid and CPR training in the ski patrol training program

Criminal Record Check

Evidence of Good Character

Documentation on Authorization to Work

All applicants are required to submit proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or other statutory authorization (such as a Work Permit).

Application Form and Fees

Please use the forms below to submit your application to register.

Application and registration fees are available under the College Bylaws and also in the application form.

Application Fee: $100

Annual Registration Fee: $850*

Practitioner Registered in Another Canadian Jurisdiction

If you hold valid registration or licensure in another Canadian jurisdiction* as the equivalent of a full registrant in practising status, which is not subject to any practice limitations, restrictions or conditions in that jurisdiction that do not apply generally to registrants in British Columbia, then you are eligible to apply through reciprocity.

*Canadian registration / licensing authorities include:

The requirements for registration through reciprocity application are:

Reference Form for Reciprocity Application

All applicants applying through reciprocity are required to submit a Reference Form for Reciprocity Application from the originating regulatory body. The Reference Form for Reciprocity Application must be mailed directly to the College from the originating regulatory body. Please use the form below for this purpose.

Reference Form for Reciprocity Application

CCHPBC Jurisprudence Examination

All applicants are required to complete the Jurisprudence Examination . Please refer to the Jurisprudence Examination section for further details and instructions.

Standard First Aid and CPR-C Certifications

*As of July 6, 2023, full registrants are required to hold current and valid Standard First Aid with Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR-C) certifications under the College Bylaws.

The Quality Assurance Committee has specified the following Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications as acceptable to fulfill this requirement:

Heart and Stroke Foundation – Standard First Aid CPR and AED Level C
Canadian Red Cross – Standard First Aid & CPR
St. John Ambulance – Standard First Aid with CPR-C and AED
Lifesaving Society – Standard First Aid (with CPR)
Canadian Ski Patrol – Standard First Aid and CPR training in the ski patrol training program

Criminal Record Check

Photograph

Applicants applying for registration through reciprocity are required to submit one photograph exactly 1½”W x 2”L taken within one year.

Documentation on Authorization to Work

All applicants are required to submit proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or other statutory authorization (such as a Work Permit).

Application Form and Fees

Please use the forms below to submit your application to register.

Application and registration fees are available under the College Bylaws and also in the application form.

Application Fee: $200

Annual Registration Fee: $850*

Become a student registrant

Students in BC

Please note that Student Registration only applies to Students taking clinical classes under supervision by the Clinical Instructors at their TCM Schools’ clinical training locations. Student Registrants are not allowed to practise individually or outside of their school before holding Full (Practising) registration.

Students enrolled in a traditional Chinese medicine program in BC must be registered with CCHPBC before attending clinic. The requirements for registration are:

Criminal Record Check

Evidence of Good Character

Documentation on Authorization to Study

All applicants are required to submit proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or other statutory authorization (such as a Study Permit).

Photograph

Student applicants are required to submit two photographs exactly 1½”W x 2”L taken within one year with the applicant’s name printed on the back.

Confirmation/Update on Education Standing

Student applicants must obtain an original signed copy of the Confirmation Form of Education Standing with up-to-date information from their TCM school and submit it with this application to the College. Please use the form in below.

Confirmation Form of Education Standing

Application Forms and Fees

Please use the forms below to submit your application to register.

Application and registration fees are available under the College Bylaws and also in the application form.

Application Fee: $30

Annual Registration Fee: $200*

Criminal Record Check

The Criminal Records Review Act (BC Legislation) was enacted to protect children and vulnerable adults from individuals whose criminal record indicates they pose a risk of physical or sexual abuse. The Act requires that all applicants complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC) conducted by the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and all current registrants complete a CRC at least once every five-years.

Police Information Check conducted by Police Department or RCMP does not satisfy this mandatory provincial requirement for people working with children and vulnerable adults or who have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults according to the provincial Criminal Records Review Act.

Applicants must allow a few weeks for CRRP to process a CRC. Additional time will be required if applicants’ fingerprints are required by CRRP. This can take 3 months or more if additional verification procedure is required.

To learn how to request your Criminal Record Check.

Transcripts Requirements

TCM Education Completed in Canada

If you completed your TCM Education in Canada, you are required to submit an official transcript in a sealed school envelop.

Transcript requirements include, but are not limited to, the following information in English:

School information: School name and contact information including address; telephone number
Student information: Legal name; Student number; Birth date; Gender
Dates: Transcript issued; Enrollment date; Completion date
Type of training program: Acupuncture, Herbology, Practitioner, Doctor
Course information listed according to Schedule E: Course hours; credits and grade earned; Instructor names and qualifications (for each course); Starting and ending dates for each course; Courses must be listed by academic year and in chronological order; Clinical training courses must be identified; Clinical training to specify hours for Acupuncture and Herbology separately
Total course hours/credits earned by: Each academic year (Subtotal of course hours/credits earned); Current date (Total of course hours/credits earned)
Transfer course requirements: Identification of all transfer credits; Hours and credits assigned to each transfer course; Original transcript from institution providing the transferred course(s); ICES report if the other institution is located outside Canada
Official signature and school stamp: Signature of School Official and date of signature; Printed name and Title of School Official
Additional transcript requirements: Information to convert credits into course hours; Final transcript: signed statement that the training program has been successfully completed in accordance with Schedule E.

TCM Education Completed Outside Canada

If you completed your TCM education outside of Canada, you are required to submit a credential evaluation report issued by members of Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (e.g. International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – BCIT; World Education Services (WES)). The report must be sent directly from the credential evaluation agency to CCHPBC with a copy of transcript attached. Please refer to Credential Evaluation Report below for more information.

Exception

If a credential evaluation report for proof of education completed outside of Canada was submitted to and accepted by CCHPBC previously for writing another registration examination, another credential evaluation report for the same credentials do not need to be re-submitted. Please make sure to provide a credential evaluation report for any new study completed but was not included in the previous credential evaluation report

Two-Year University Education Completed in Canada

Graduates and students from BC

Official transcript from accredited college or university.

Graduates and students from Quebec

Quebec Ministry of Education issues a transcript confirming Diplome d’etudes collegiales (DEC). For university admission, these students are normally granted 30 credits of advanced standing, reducing a 120-credit requirement to 90 credits or 6 semesters. Some degrees require additional semesters for completion, i.e. B.Eng. Please note the citation on the CEGEP transcript will be:

(Year, i.e. 2000) DEC (diplome d’etudes preuniversitaire)

The Quebec Ministry of Education transcript is preferable to the CEGEP transcript. The CEGEP DES (Diplome d’etudes secondaires) is NOT the same as the DEC.

Graduates and students from other Canadian provinces

Transcript from the institution you attended. You may be required to obtain a basic credential evaluation report from International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES), depending on the courses completed and institution attended.

The College has prepared a detailed Information Sheet to outline how the College accesses liberal arts and sciences credentials for meeting examination and/or registration requirement. Please check for detailed information and whether your credentials meet this requirement and what evidence you should provide to the College to support your application(s) to the College

Two-Year University Education Completed Outside Canada

If you graduated from a school outside of Canada, you are required to submit a credential evaluation report issued by members of Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (e.g. International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – BCIT; World Education Services (WES)). Please refer to Credential Evaluation Report below for more information.

The credential evaluation report must state that your education is “considered generally comparable to the completion of the first two years of undergraduate study”.

Exception

Credential Evaluation Report

CCHPBC accepts credential evaluation reports issued by members of Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC).

The credential evaluation report to support your registration/examination application must be received by CCHPBC before the registration/examination application deadline. Please check the document submission methods in the application guideline/form for each registration category.

Please note that different credential evaluation agencies might have different processing time to issue the report. To avoid delay, please check with them to ensure your report will be received by CCHPBC on time.

Citizenship/PR or Working/Study Permit

Documentation on Authorization to Work

All applicants are required to submit proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or other statutory authorization (such as a Work Permit).

Documentation on Authorization to Study

All applicants are required to submit proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or other statutory authorization (such as a Study Permit).

Standard First Aid and CPR-C Certifications

*As of July 6, 2023, registrants with full or limited registration are required to hold current and valid Standard First Aid with Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR-C) certifications under the College Bylaws. Student registrants and non-practicing registrants are not subject to this requirement unless they apply to become full registrants.

The Quality Assurance Committee has specified the following Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications as acceptable to fulfill this requirement:

Heart and Stroke Foundation – Standard First Aid CPR and AED Level C
Canadian Red Cross – Standard First Aid & CPR
St. John Ambulance – Standard First Aid with CPR-C and AED
Lifesaving Society – Standard First Aid (with CPR)
Canadian Ski Patrol – Standard First Aid and CPR training in the ski patrol training program

*Please note: During annual registration renewal, all current and new registrants with full or limited registration must comply and report that they have met this requirement by March 31, 2024.