The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) is the governing body established by the government of Ontario, under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006.
Protecting the public through a transparent and effective regulatory environment while guiding the Traditional Chinese Medicine profession.
Full public confidence in the safe and effective practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) governs the practice of traditional Chinese Medicine in Ontario in the public interest.Continue reading ...
The Registrar is the Chief Administrative/Executive Officer of the College. The Registrar is accountable to the Council and reports to the President.Continue reading ...
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), which was proclaimed on December 31, 1993, provided provides a common framework for the regulation of Ontario’s regulated health professions. Under the provisions of the RHPA, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care may refer matters pertaining to the regulation of health professionals to the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) for its review and recommendations. Continue reading ...
Regulatory colleges and professional associations have different purposes within a profession. Both types of organizations are important and help in the profession’s development. The differences are not always understood and can lead to misplaced expectations. Learn more about the similarities and differences between regulatory colleges and professional associations below:
In Ontario, there are 26 health regulatory colleges that regulate healthcare professionals. All health regulatory colleges in Ontario are legislated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and their profession specific acts (in the case of our college, the act is the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006 ). Like the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO), all colleges govern their specific professions in the public interest. Their primary duty is to serve and protect the public. Colleges are NOT educational institutions, and DO NOT advocate for the professions they govern.
Colleges are led by Councils, which are comprised of both members of the profession (professional members) and members of the public, which are appointed by the provincial government. Although professional members are elected by members of the profession, they do not “represent” the profession or the district in which they were elected. Their voice ensures that Council is informed of the standards and realities of the profession. They, along with the public members of Council, represent the public of Ontario.
Because regulatory colleges are creatures of statute, they need to discharge their statutory role. If they fail to do so, their role and mandate can be amended by the government.
Membership is mandatory in order to practice the controlled acts authorized to the profession and to use protected titles. For example, to practice the two controlled acts as outlined in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006, practitioners must be registered with CTCMPAO as an “R. TCMP” and/or “R. Ac”.
Generally, the purpose of professional associations is to promote the profession they represent and act in the interests of their members; however, some associations may have a different role. Some of the activities that associations may partake in include: advocating on behalf of the members, lobbying policy makers, offering educational courses, providing networking opportunities, and creating job boards for members. While professional associations care about the public interest and often take actions that assist the public interest, they are under no duty to do so and are accountable only to their members.
Membership with associations is voluntary.
Professional associations are led by a Board of Directors. Members of the profession can be elected to the Board. The elected members are accountable to the people that elected them.
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CTCMPAO |
Associations |
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Purpose: Created by the Ontario government to regulate the profession of TCM in the public interest. |
Purpose: To advocate on behalf of member interests and the profession. |
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Membership: Mandatory |
Membership: Voluntary |
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Duties include: • Regulating the practice and conduct of members by setting regulations, standards, policies and guidelines; |
Duties include: • Advocate in the interest of members; |
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