Questions to Ask Your TCM Practitioner Before Starting
A practical list of questions to ask a Chinese medicine practitioner before starting, covering training, licensing, herbs, safety, working with your doctor, and costs.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Why ask
NCCIH advises choosing a complementary practitioner with the same care you would use for conventional care. [1] This page lists questions to take to a first visit or a phone call. It does not recommend any practitioner, clinic or school. NCCIH itself cannot refer you to practitioners. [1]About the approach
- What do you propose, and for how many visits?
- What is the aim, and how will we judge whether it is working? See how treatment plans are built.
- What does research show for this treatment and my condition? Be ready for an honest "limited": NCCIH says many studies of Chinese herbal products are poor quality, so no firm conclusions can be made about their effectiveness. [4]
- What are the risks and side effects?
About herbs and products
- What exactly is in this product? Is it a single herb, a formula or a patent medicine?
- Where is it made, and how is quality checked? Some Chinese herbal products have been contaminated with heavy metals, undeclared drugs or the wrong herb. [4]
- Could it interact with my medicines? For many medicines and supplements there is little interaction information. [5]
- Is it safe with my liver or kidney problems, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or for a child? The NHS says herbal medicines are not recommended for children and should not be taken if pregnant, breastfeeding or with kidney or liver problems. [3] NCCIH says to consult a health care provider first if pregnant, nursing or treating a child. [4]
See Chinese herbs and prescription medicines.
About working with your doctor
- Are you willing to communicate with my doctor? NCCIH advises finding out whether the practitioner will work with your conventional providers. [1]
- Will you adjust treatment if my doctor changes my medicine?
- Which symptoms should send me to a doctor? See telling your doctor about TCM.
Explain all your health conditions and ask about the practitioner's experience with them. [1]
Money
Ask the cost of visits and herbs up front. Do not assume insurance covers it: contact your insurer and ask, since plans differ greatly and restrictions may apply. [1] See what TCM costs.After the visit
Write down what was said. If something goes wrong, see reporting problems. In the US, supplement safety concerns can be reported through the HHS Safety Reporting Portal. [6]Frequently asked questions
Should I tell the practitioner about my medicines?
Yes, all of them, including over-the-counter products and supplements. Some herbs can raise or lower medicine effects. [5]
How do I check a license?
Ask the practitioner which body licensed them, then check with that regulator. NCCIH suggests state regulatory agencies or licensing boards as a place to start. [1]
Is it fine to ask about evidence?
Yes. It is a normal question, and the answer should be honest about limits. [4]
Can I see a practitioner and my doctor together?
Yes. NCCIH advises telling all your providers about the approaches you use. [1]
What if I am pregnant or treating a child?
Talk with your own health care provider first. [4]
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.
Training and licensing
- What is your training, and which license or certification do you hold?
- Which state or country issued it, and can I verify it?
- How many people with my condition have you treated?
What to know: in the United States there is no standardized national system for credentialing complementary practitioners, and states decide the requirements. [2] Governments grant and monitor licenses; professional organizations certify. [2] In most states acupuncturists must be certified by the national certification commission or pass its exams. [2] In England, herbal medicine practitioners do not need to be registered by law; the NHS suggests checking registration with a professional body accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. [3] Licensed or certified is not always a guarantee of being qualified. [2] More in how to choose a TCM practitioner and NCCAOM certification and state licensing.
References
- NCCIH, 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Credentialing, Licensing, and Education. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS, Herbal medicines and complementary therapies. Page last reviewed 1 May 2026. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, 6 Tips: How Herbs Can Interact With Medicines. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-22.