How Do I Become a Practitioner of Natural Healing?

In BC, you need to complete a three-year diploma program in acupuncture recognized by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC (CTCMA) or a program in traditional Chinese medicine from recognized medical schools abroad and at least 2 years of Liberal Arts or Sciences study from an accredited college or university. You must also successfully pass a series of examinations, a criminal record check and prove evidence of good character.

In BC, you need to complete a three- to five-year diploma program in traditional Chinese medicine recognized by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC (CTCMA) or a program in traditional Chinese medicine from recognized medical schools abroad, and at least 2 years of Liberal Arts or Sciences study from an accredited college or university. You must also successfully pass a series of examinations, a criminal record check and prove evidence of good character.

In BC, you must be registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTMA) to practice traditional Chinese medicine and use any of these designations:

• Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Dr.TCM): a registrant authorized to practice acupuncture, and prescribe, compound or dispense Chinese herbal medicine. This registrant has met training/examination requirements at a higher level than registrants with the other titles.
• Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (R.TCM.P.) a registrant authorized to practice acupuncture, and prescribe, compound or dispense Chinese herbal medicine.
• Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.) a registrant authorized to practice acupuncture.
• Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbalist (R.TCM.H.) a registrant authorized to prescribe, compound or dispense Chinese herbal medicine

Reflexologist, Homeopath, Rolfer, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Herbal Therapist (western herbalism), Aromatherapists and other occupations:

Other occupations in this group usually require completion of training programs specific to their type of practice and some supervised practical training. Some occupations have professional associations that certify their members but licensing by a regulatory body is not required. For information on these occupations, see: