For the public
Traditional Chinese Medicine Ontario (TCMO) is a professional association for registered practitioners. This section helps patients and the public learn about the profession before you book care.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are regulated health professions in Ontario. Practitioners must be registered with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) to practise legally.
Registered Acupuncturists (R.Ac) and Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (R.TCMP) complete extensive training — far more than a short certificate course. Some practitioners also hold the Doctor of TCM (Dr. TCM) title where qualified. Spa or wellness settings may offer needling from people who are not registered with the College; in Ontario, regulated practitioners are the standard for safe, professional care.
Read more: Scope of practice · Doctor of TCM title
TCMO is a practitioner-founded professional association, incorporated in 2017 and governed by an elected board of volunteer practitioners. We advocate for the profession, support our members, and help the public understand what registered TCM practitioners do. TCMO is not the regulator — registration and complaints about individual practitioners are handled by the College.
Are you a practitioner? See membership · Register with TCMO