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How to Choose a TCM Practitioner

A plain checklist for choosing a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner: verify the license with the regulator, ask about training and herbs, and know the warning signs. No listings.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

We do not list, rank or recommend practitioners, clinics or schools, and we cannot tell you who is "near you." What we can offer is a way to check anyone you are considering. NCCIH suggests choosing a complementary practitioner with the same care you would use in choosing a conventional medical provider. [1]

Step 2. Verify, do not assume

  1. Get the full name and license or registration number, then look it up on the official register. Some boards can tell you whether a license is valid, delinquent or subject to action. [6]
  2. Remember that certification and license are different things, and that neither is a guarantee of being qualified. [1]
  3. Do not rely on a title alone. Titles vary by place; see Titles Explained.
  4. If a board cannot confirm the person, ask why before going ahead. In Ontario, the College notes that an unregistered person gives no assurance of qualifications and is not accountable to a regulator. [3]

Step 3. Ask questions before you start

  • Where did you train, and for how long? Is the program accredited? (See TCM Education.)
  • What conditions do you treat, and when do you send people to a doctor?
  • Will you work with my doctor? Do you want my medicine list?
  • If herbs are suggested: what are the names of every ingredient, where do they come from, and how are interactions checked? See Chinese Herbal Products: Quality, Contamination and Medicine Interactions.
  • How are needles, cups and other equipment cleaned or disposed of? In California, for instance, reusing a needle is unprofessional conduct. [6]
  • What will it cost, how many visits do you expect, and what is your cancellation policy? See What TCM Costs.

If something goes wrong

Tell your doctor, stop any herb you suspect and ask a clinician or pharmacist. Complaints go to the regulator named on the register, such as the board that licensed the person. Referral is not something every board offers: California's board says it licenses acupuncturists but cannot give referrals. [6]

Related pages

TCM Qualifications, Licensing and Medical Care compares places. TCM Consultation explains a first visit.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a TCM practitioner near me?

We cannot list or recommend anyone. Use your state or provincial board or national register, and verify the license number you are given. [1]

Is a licensed acupuncturist also a TCM herbalist?

Not necessarily. Rules differ: in Ontario Chinese herbal medicine is provided by R.TCMPs and not within the scope of R.Acs. [7]

Does certification mean someone is qualified?

It indicates meeting standards, but NCCIH says being licensed or certified is not always a guarantee of being qualified. [1]

What if my area has no regulation?

Ask about training and which professional body they belong to. In England, the NHS advises choosing someone registered with a PSA-accredited organization. [5]

Should my doctor know?

Yes. Tell all your providers about any complementary approach you use. [2]

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

Who should check with a doctor first
If you are pregnant or nursing, are considering TCM for a child, or have a health condition, talk with your health care provider before starting, especially before herbal products. [2] Do not use TCM to replace or delay conventional care for a serious or worsening problem. In an emergency in the US, call 911.
Step 1. Find out what is regulated where you live
  • United States: most states and the District of Columbia regulate acupuncture, and most states require certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). [2] Licensing is by state, so start with your state board. See NCCAOM Certification and US Licensing.
  • Ontario: only registered College members may use the titles "traditional Chinese medicine practitioner" or "acupuncturist" or an abbreviation or variation. [3]
  • Australia: you must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia to work as a Chinese medicine practitioner. [4]
  • England: herbal medicine practitioners do not need to be registered by law, so the NHS advises choosing someone registered with an organization accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. [5]
Warning signs
  • Claims to cure a disease. California's board says advertising that an acupuncturist can cure any disease, condition or symptom is improper. [6]
  • Advice to stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to your prescriber.
  • Pressure to prepay for a large course of treatment or to buy products.
  • Refusal to name herbs or ingredients.
  • Reliance on an online quiz or a single tongue or pulse reading to label you with a diagnosis.
References
  1. NCCIH (US). Credentialing, Licensing, and Education. Read 2026-10-22.
  2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, US). Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
  3. College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario. Unauthorized Practitioners. Read 2026-10-22.
  4. Chinese Medicine Board of Australia. Home page. Read 2026-10-22.
  5. NHS (England). Herbal medicines and complementary therapies. Read 2026-10-22.
  6. California Acupuncture Board. Consumer FAQs. Read 2026-10-22.
  7. College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario. About TCM. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.