TCM Qualifications, Licensing by Jurisdiction and Coordinating With Medical Care
How Chinese medicine practitioners are regulated in the US, Australia, Ontario and the UK, what we could verify, how to check credentials and coordinate with your doctor.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Rules differ by place
There is no single worldwide standard for who may call themselves a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner. In some places the title is protected by law; in others anyone can use it. This page lists what we could read from regulators and official sources. Where we could not verify a rule, we say so. We do not list or recommend practitioners, and a title on a sign does not tell you whether someone is licensed.Qualifications and licensing by jurisdiction
| Place | What we could verify | Source |
|---|---|---|
| United States | NCCIH says most states and the District of Columbia have laws regulating acupuncture practice, and most require certification from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Requirements vary from state to state. | [1][2] |
| Australia | The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia states that to work as a Chinese medicine practitioner you must be registered with the Board. | [3] |
| Ontario, Canada | Only registered members of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario may use the protected titles (R.TCMP, R.Ac) and perform the controlled acts. Chinese herbal medicine is provided by R.TCMPs and is not within the scope of R.Ac. | [4] |
| United Kingdom | The NHS says herbal medicine practitioners and other complementary therapists (chiropractors and osteopaths are the exception) do not need to be registered by law, and advises choosing someone registered with a professional organization accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited registers hold practitioners who are not regulated by law. | [5][6] |
| Other places | Not verified here. | Check the local health ministry or regulator |
Important limits. The US figures describe acupuncture regulation. NCCIH does not say here that every state licenses Chinese herbal practice, and we could not read the NCCAOM site, so we cannot state what its credentials require. Ask your state board what applies to herbs. In Ontario and Australia, the rules we read describe registered practitioners; check the register to confirm a person's status. For acupuncture training and licensing detail, see Acupuncture Practitioner Licensing and Training.
How to check a practitioner
Use the official register for your area, not a business's own claim.- Ask for the person's full name, title and registration or license number, then check it with the state board, national register or college named in the table.
- In places where practice is not regulated, ask about training length, where they trained, and which professional body they belong to. Check that body's accreditation, as the NHS recommends. [5]
- Ask whether they will treat conditions you should see a doctor about, and how they handle emergencies.
- Ask for the names of any herbs and how the products are sourced; see Chinese Herbal Products: Quality, Contamination and Medicine Interactions.
- Ask about infection control for needles, cups and other equipment.
Warning signs: claims of a cure, advice to stop prescribed medicine, pressure to buy a large course of treatment or products, or refusal to name ingredients. Search results that say "near me" do not confirm that anyone is licensed.
Coordinating with medical care
NCCIH recommends that you discuss TCM with your health care providers, that you do not use TCM to replace or delay conventional care, and that you tell all your providers about every complementary approach you use so care is coordinated and safe. [1] If you are pregnant or nursing, or considering TCM for a child, NCCIH advises being especially sure to consult your health care provider. [1]What to bring to your doctor: a list of herbs and products (photos of the labels help), the practitioner's name and treatment plan, and any new symptoms. What to bring to the TCM practitioner: your medicine list, diagnoses, allergies, and recent tests.
See a doctor first for new severe pain, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, blood in urine or stool, a lump, a persistent fever, trouble breathing, or symptoms after starting an herb.
Related pages
Plan your first visit with TCM Consultation, and see Talking With a Health Professional for conversation tips. The wider tradition is on Traditional Chinese Medicine.Frequently asked questions
Is a TCM practitioner a medical doctor?
Not necessarily. In regulated places, TCM practitioners are registered under their own titles, such as the Ontario and Australian examples above. [4][3]
Is TCM regulated in the UK?
We read that herbal medicine practitioners do not need to be registered by law, and that the NHS advises choosing someone on a PSA-accredited register. [5]
How do I check if my acupuncturist is licensed in the US?
Most states license acupuncturists, with requirements varying by state, so contact your state licensing board. [2]
Should I tell my doctor I see a TCM practitioner?
Yes. Telling all providers helps keep care coordinated and safe. [1]
Can a practitioner treat serious illness?
They should not replace conventional care for it. [1]
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Acupuncture: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
- Chinese Medicine Board of Australia. Home page. Read 2026-10-22.
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario. About TCM. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS (UK). Herbal medicines and complementary therapies. Read 2026-10-22.
- Professional Standards Authority (UK). Accredited Registers. Read 2026-10-22.