MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS
Presently, to become a registered acupuncturist (R.Ac.) with the Acupcunture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Nova Scotia (ATCMANS), a practitioner is required to have a minimum of 2100 hours of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Oriental/Classical Medicine) and Acupuncture training that includes 450 hours of clinical practice in a recognized program of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
In order for an acupuncturist to be able to bill with health providers for acupuncture treatments, they must first be registered with a recognized TCM acupuncture association in Nova Scotia.
Standard used for the association to evaluate schools are based on Entry-Level Occupational Competencies for the Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Canada. These were developed by the Canadian Alliance of Regulatory Bodies for Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CARB-TCMPA); a national organization of provincial and territorial regulatory bodies that govern and monitor the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, Acupuncturists and/or Herbologists. The competencies are intended to identify the job tasks in which the entry-level TCM practitioner and acupuncturist should be proficient in order to provide a safe, effective and ethical practice.”
CARB-TCMPA – http://carb-tcmpa.org/
Entry-level Occupational Competency Profile
These criteria are constantly under review in order to keep with the standards set by the evolving regulation of TCM and acupuncture throughout Canada.
Canadian regulatory colleges of TCM and Acupuncture
TCM practitioners and acupuncturist that practice in regulated Canadian provinces (BC, AB, ON, QU, NF) must pass a provincial board exam (Pan-Canadian exam) through a regulatory college for TCM and acupuncture to become licenced before being able to practice.
Associations and Regulatory Colleges of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture help ensure a safe, professional practices that are up to date with evolving national standards for the practice of acupuncture in Canada.
Regulatory colleges of TCM and acupuncture
Alberta
College and Association of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAAA)
5213 – 87 St. Edmonton AB, T6E 5L5
tel.780-466-7787
registrar@acupuncturealberta.ca
www.acupuncturealberta.ca
British Columbia
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMABC)
1664 West 8th Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6J 1V4
tel. 604-738-7100
info@ctcma.bc.ca
www.ctcma.bc.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Newfoundland and Labrador
47 Leslie Street St. John’s NL
A1E 2V7
tel. 709-763-8208
www.ctcmpanl.ca
Ontario
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO)
163 Queen St. E., 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5A 1S1
tel. 416-862-4790
info@ctcmpao.on.ca
www.ctcmpao.on.ca
Quebec
Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec (OAQ)
505, blvd. René-Lévesque Ouest, bureau 1106, Montréal QC, H2Z 1Y7
tel. 514-523-2882
info@o-a-q.org
www.o-a-q.org