Unauthorized Practitioners

In Ontario, only members of the College can:

1. Perform the controlled acts of;
1. Communicating a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis identifying a body system disorder as the cause of a person’s symptoms using TCM techniques; and
2. Acupuncture

1. Use the title “traditional Chinese medicine practitioner” or “acupuncturist” (or an abbreviation or variation); and
2. Hold themselves out as a person who is qualified to practise in Ontario as a TCM practitioner or acupuncturist

If you witness a person doing one or more of these activities, and they are not a member of the College, please advise the College.

It is important to note that through an exemption in Ontario Regulation 107/96: Controlled Acts (section 8(2)) made under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), several other regulated health professions are permitted to perform acupuncture within the scope of their profession specific act. A list of exempt regulated health professionals can be found in the RHPA.

It is also important for you to be aware that if a person is not a member of this College or a member of an exempt health College who is authorized to perform acupuncture within the scope of their profession, and they are doing any of the above, they are breaking the law. You should be aware that you are not receiving TCM treatment from a regulated health care practitioner, there is no assurance as to the person’s qualifications or competence and the person is not accountable to a regulatory body. To ensure an individual is registered with this College, you may visit our public register here. You are also encouraged to utilize other health College’s public register to verify their qualifications. More information about other regulated health professionals can be found here.

Reporting an Unauthorized Practitioner

The College will investigate any reports received from the public to confirm if the person is not a member of the College. If the person is not a member of the College, the College will determine the best approach in order to ensure that the person ceases any unauthorized practice. This could include sending a warning letter to the person and/or commencing legal proceedings against the person. Each situation will be assessed individually by the College and its solicitors.

To report an unauthorized practitioner, please complete the Unauthorized Practitioner Form. You may complete the form and provide your contact details, or you may submit the form anonymously. The College can only investigate when it has received sufficient information to do so. Please provide as much detail as you are able to, and please include any advertising material if available.

If you provide contact information, the College will advise you if the person is or is not a member of the College. However, due to privacy concerns, it may not always be able to share with you its plan on how it intends to address the illegal practising. If the College obtains an order against the individual, it will make reasonable efforts to advise you.

The individuals listed below are not registered with this College and are not entitled to practise TCM and/or acupuncture in Ontario or to hold themselves out as a person who is qualified to practise TCM and/or acupuncture in Ontario. They are each prohibited from practising TCM and/or acupuncture or holding themselves out to practise TCM and/or acupuncture.

If you are aware of these individuals, or anyone else working without being registered with this College, please contact the Professional Conduct Department at conduct@ctcmpao.on.ca.

*Ord=Order *End=Endorsement *Dec=Decision