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At the Board meeting of March 15, 2014, the Policy on Use of CTCMA Logo was finalized and approved. The CTCMA logo includes the CTCMA emblem, the names of “College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners of British Columbia” and “CTCMA”, and the Chinese translations thereof (the CTCMA Logo”).

The purpose of the Policy is to govern the use of CTCMA logos by registrants and third parties. 

• No registrant or third party can use the CTCMA Logo for advertising, marketing products, or services without the permission of the CTCMA.
• Registrants and third parties wishing to use the CTCMA Logo must apply to the Registrar in writing, describing how and for what purposes the Logo will be used.
• Permission to use the CTCMA Logo may be granted in writing to a registrant or third party to promote an event that is sanctioned by the CTCMA.
• A registrant or third party who is requesting permission to use the CTCMA Logo must forward a copy of the material on which the CTCMA Logo is to be used to the Registrar prior to permission being granted.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind registrants that the trademarks, tradenames, the CTCMA Logo, and official marks of the CTCMA may not be used without the express written permission of the CTCMA. 

For more information, please refer to the Disclaimer of the CTCMA.

As required by the HPA, these amendments were subsequently made available for government, health regulator, and public review/comment. Having received feedback, and with the Ministry of Health’s approval, these amendments to the College Bylaws became effective on July 6, 2023. The following is an overview of the updated bylaw sections for registration-related topics:

1. Registration Committee – new Board Committee with new responsibility

• The Registration Committee and the Education & Examination Committee have been merged into the new Registration Committee.
• The mandate of this new Committee is available on the “Committees” page of the website.

2. Registration Requirements and Processes (Bylaws S48, 53, 56 & 56.2)

First Aid and CPR Certifications (To comply by 2024 Renewal Period)

• Proof of current certification in Standard First Aid and Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation or equivalent certification satisfactory to the Registration Committee is required for initial registration as either a full or temporary registrant and for renewal as either a full or limited registrant.

Currency of Practice (To comply by 2026 Renewal Period)

• A full registrant must complete a cumulative total of 600 hours of professional service and/or practice during the 3 years immediately preceding registration renewal in order to maintain currency of practice. 

Please refer to the article “Continuation of Registration Requirements” in this newsletter for further details for these 2 requirements.

3. Reinstatement Requirements (Bylaws S58)

Out of Practice for less than three (3) years

• Former full or non-practising registrants (who have not been disciplined), who have been out of practice for less than three (3) years, and who are seeking reinstatement to full registration must, among all other requirements, also provide evidence satisfactory to the Registration Committee of successful completion of the following courses/exams in the last 3 years:         

           a. CTCMA Safety Examination/Interactive Safety Course;

           b. CTCMA Jurisprudence Examination; and

           c. Refresher course(s) as determined by Registration Committee

If the application for reinstatement is received within three (3) months from expiry date of the applicant’s last full registration as a “late renewal” application, evidence for these 3 courses/exams is not required to be provided.

Out of Practice for more than three (3) years

• Former full or non-practising registrants (who have not been disciplined), who have been out of practice for three (3) years or more, and who are seeking reinstatement to full registration must, among all other requirements, provide evidence satisfactory to the Registration Committee of successful completion of the following courses/exams in the last 3 years:

           a. CTCMA Registration Examination;

           b. CTCMA Safety Examinations/Interactive Safety Course;

           c. CTCMA Jurisprudence Examination;

           d. Refresher courses as determined by Registration Committee 

The Registration Committee can request a further assessment of the applicant’s clinical skills as evidence after considering the professional TCM activities the applicant was engaged in during time away from practising in BC.  

Details are available on the College website: Reinstate My Registration

2. Examination Requirements (Bylaws S60.3 & 60.4)

Currency of TCM Education

• If a CTCMA registration examination applicant graduated from a TCM/A education program more than three (3) but fewer than five (5) years prior to the date of the application, the applicant must first successfully complete a 50-hour refresher course or program of study in TCM/A approved in advance by the Registration Committee to take the examination.

• If a CTCMA registration examination applicant graduated from a TCM/A education program more than five (5) years prior to the date of the application, the applicant must first successfully complete a 100-hour refresher course or program of study in TCM/A approved in advance by the Registration Committee to take the examination.

Retaking Examination Policy

• An applicant who fails a component of a registration examination or a full examination once, must complete a 50-hour refresher course or program of study in TCM approved in advance by the Registration Committee before becoming eligible to retake that component or that full examination for a 2nd attempt. 

Such applicants must complete the subsequent attempt of a registration examination for Acupuncture, Herbology and TCM Practitioner within one (1) year of completing this further education and training and must complete subsequent attempt of a registration examination for Dr.TCM within two (2) years of completing this further education and training.

• An applicant who fails a component of a registration examination or a full examination twice must complete further education and training directed by the Registration Committee before becoming eligible to retake that component or that full examination for a 3rd attempt. 

Such applicants must complete the subsequent attempt of a registration examination for Acupuncture, Herbology and TCM Practitioner within one (1) year of completing this further education and training and must complete subsequent attempt of a registration examination for Dr.TCM within two (2) years of completing this further education and training.

• An applicant who fails a component of a registration examination or an examination three times is not eligible to attempt the same registration examination again.

Please refer to the respective examination webpages and resources such as the candidate’s handbook for further information.   

This means that when renewal time comes in the future, registrants will need to declare compliance with these requirements.  Please note that while the updated bylaws are in effect now, the date to meet the requirement and provide proof will be at specific renewal periods in the future.

1. Currency of Practice Requirement

A registrant renewing a full registration must complete a cumulative total of 600 hours of professional service and/or practice during the three (3) years immediately preceding registration renewal in order to maintain currency of practice under s. 56.2(1).

“Professional service” means the provision of professional expertise in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture as defined in the Regulation in a healthcare delivery, education, research, and/or policy and regulation role that requires the knowledge and skills outlined in the Entry-Level Occupational Competency Profiles for TCM Practitioners, Acupuncturists, or Doctors of TCM.

This new Currency of Practice requirement replaces the former patient visit requirement, which stated that:

A registrant renewing a registration must have practiced acupuncture or traditional Chinese herbology or traditional Chinese medicine at a minimum level of 200 patient visits during any consecutive 24-month period within the last 4 years. 

Registrants must be able to make a declaration of compliance with the currency of practice requirements as set out in Bylaw S.56.1 by March 31, 2026. 

2. Standard First Aid & CPR-C Certifications

A registrant renewing a full registration must hold current and valid Standard First Aid with Level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR-C) certifications under the Bylaws Section 56(2)(vii).

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

• Heart and Stroke Foundation – Standard First Aid CPR and AED Level C
• Canadian Red Cross – Standard First Aid & CPR
• 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

Many reputable providers in Canada offer training in Standard First Aid and CPR-C and the certifications they issue are generally from the above five organizations. Individuals are advised to confirm with the training provider before enrollment that successful completion will result in a certificate meeting the CTCMA requirement.

Please refer to this webpage for information: Standard First Aid and CPR-C Certifications

 Registrants must be able to provide proof of current Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications by March 31, 2024. 

We encourage the registrants to plan ahead and take the necessary steps to comply with the new registration requirements. In this way you will have the additional information required for renewal periods in 2024 and 2026 ready to go.  If you have further questions regarding registration renewal, please contact [email protected].

This information is also available on the Full/Non-Practising Registration Renewal webpage under the “Registration Renewal and Conditions of Full Registration Renewal” section.  Please refer to that webpage for the most up-to-date information.

Please make sure you know the current requirements to fulfill your responsibilities as Full and Non-Practising registrants of the College.

Registrants are required to follow the 5 steps of the Practice Support Program (PSP) for their QA cycle starting on or after April 1st, 2022, in order to be compliant with the Continuing Competency Requirements in the Quality Assurance Program (QAP). 

Registrants must earn a minimum of 50 continuing education (CE) credits by completing all 5 steps in PSP by the end of their QA cycle. Note that a minimum of 4 hours must focus on ethical practice.

PSP Steps 1-5 templates and samples are available on the Templates & Activity Log webpage. Registrants can claim CE credits for using PSP components as follows:

• Step 1: Complete Your Self-Reflective Assessment (10 CE credits; This Assessment is also available in the Registrant’s Portal)
• Step 2: Setting Up Learning Objectives (10 CE credits)
• Step 3: Planning & Undertaking Learning Activities (1 CE per hour of activity)
• Step 4: Evaluating Completed Learning Activities (5 CE credits per evaluation; and up to 20 CE total)
• Step 5: End of QA Cycle Overall Evaluation (5 CE credits)

Registrants will need to keep the completed PSP Steps 1 -5 documents and Continuing Competency Activity Log in their Registrant File. During annual registration renewal, registrants will make the declaration that they are complying with Bylaw 56.1.

How do I arrange for QAP/PSP consultation?

After reading the Quality Assurance Program Handbook, registrants with questions about the QAP and/or PSP or having difficulty completing the PSP forms can reach out to the College’s Practice Support staff for additional guidance.

Requests for PSP Consultation can be made by email or telephone. Please make sure you include the information below in your email and/or voice message so we can respond in a timely and comprehensive manner:

• your name (registration number and professional designation if applicable)
• specific question(s)
• email or/and phone number

To reach Practice Support staff:

Email [email protected]

Phone (604) 742-6563 extension 5

Toll-free 1-855-742-6563

This year’s AGM will once again be conducted virtually, via Zoom. It will be similar in format to last year’s AGM.

As was the case last year, participants will be able to observe the proceedings, and listen, but will not be able to interact with speakers during the meeting itself. Participants wishing to ask questions were asked to submit them earlier. Answers to questions received will be provided during the AGM Q & A Session.

The link to the Zoom meeting and instructions for joining will be sent

by email on September 8, so please be watching for that.

The following material relevant to the 2023 AGM is now available:

• 2022-2023 Annual Report, including financials
• 2022 AGM Meeting Minutes

The AGM will be conducted in English only. Following the AGM, the College will post videos of the proceedings on the College website, in both English and Chinese.

Further materials, including the Agenda and questions received, will be provided in advance.

Registrants wishing to receive CE credit should document AGM participation in their Continuing Competency Activity Log as Category C – Structured Interactive Activities. The College will give credit for one (1) hour but will not be providing certificates.

Further information will be provided. In the meantime, please mark the date,

Friday, September 15, 2023. We hope to see you online!

See public notifications that are made available to the public in accordance with the Health Professions Act, concerning ongoing, interim, and previous disciplinary actions against registrants.

See upcoming disciplinary hearings.