New Graduates of an Education Program in BC

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

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

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

Please refer to Schedule H of the 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.

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

*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.

CTCMA 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.

CTCMA Safety Examination/Interactive Safety Course

All applicants applying for registration with the College must successfully complete either the Safety Examination (until it retires) or the Interactive Safety Course.

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

	Acupuncture	Herbology
To become an R.Ac.	X
To become an R.TCM.H.		X
To become an R.TCM.P.	X	X
To become a Dr. TCM	X	X

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

	MODULES REQUIRED
	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 R.Ac.	X	X	X
To become R.TCM.H.	X	X		X
To become R.TCM.P. ***	X	X	X	X
To become Dr.TCM ***	X	X	X	X

*** 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 Bylaws Section 48(1)(d).

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 CTCMA 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 Schedule F of the 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.