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 how to coordinate with your doctor.

Content last updated October 22, 2026. This page has not been medically reviewed.

Emergencies first. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, severe bleeding or a severe reaction after any treatment or herb, call 911 in the US (or your local emergency number) rather than waiting for an appointment. For a suspected poisoning in the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222; see Poison Help by Country for other places.

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 it is not. This page sets out 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 place

Place	What we could verify	Source
United States (federal picture)	There is no single national license. NCCIH says most states and the District of Columbia have laws regulating acupuncture practice, most states license acupuncturists, and requirements vary from state to state.	[1][2]
New York State	Practicing acupuncture or using the title "licensed acupuncturist" requires a state license unless exempt. The state page lists education and national exam requirements.	[3]
California	The Acupuncture Board licenses acupuncturists. It says it does not accept the national exam as a substitute for its own licensing and does not recognize reciprocity with other states.	[4]
Australia	To work as a Chinese medicine practitioner you must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.	[5]
Ontario, Canada	Only registered members of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario may use the protected titles and designations (R.TCMP, R.Ac) and perform the controlled acts. Chinese herbal medicine is provided by R.TCMPs, not within the scope of R.Acs.	[6]
England (UK)	The NHS says herbal medicine practitioners and most other complementary therapists do not need to be registered by law, and advises choosing someone registered with an organization accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).	[7][8]
Other places	Not verified here. Check the local health ministry or regulator.

Important limits. These are examples, not a full map of all 50 states or every country. State rules about what a licensed acupuncturist may do with herbs differ: California's board, for instance, lists herbs among the products a licensed acupuncturist may use or prescribe, while Ontario separates herbal practice into the R.TCMP title. [4][6] Ask your own state or provincial board what applies. For acupuncture training and licensing detail see Acupuncture Practitioner Licensing and Training; for the US national certification see NCCAOM Certification and US Licensing.

Certification is not the same as a license

In the US, government agencies grant and monitor licenses, while professional organizations certify practitioners. NCCIH also cautions that being licensed or certified is not always a guarantee of being qualified. [9]

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 thinking of using TCM for a child, NCCIH advises being especially sure to consult your health care provider. [1]

Bring to your doctor: a list of herbs and products (photos of labels help), the practitioner's name and treatment plan, and any new symptoms.
Bring to the TCM practitioner: your medicine list, diagnoses, allergies and recent test results.
Never stop a prescribed medicine because of advice from any practitioner. Ask your prescriber first.

See a doctor first for new severe pain, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, blood in urine or stool, a lump, a persistent fever or trouble breathing. For herb safety see Chinese Herbal Products: Quality, Contamination and Medicine Interactions.

How to check a practitioner

Use the official register for your area, not a business's own claim. Step-by-step questions are on How to Choose a TCM Practitioner. In Ontario, the College warns that someone who is not registered gives you no assurance of qualifications and is not accountable to a regulator. [10] Search results that say "near me" do not confirm that anyone is licensed.

Plan a 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. [6][5]

Is TCM regulated in the UK?

The NHS says herbal medicine practitioners do not need to be registered by law, and advises choosing someone on a PSA-accredited register. [7]

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] California's board, for example, can verify whether a license is valid, delinquent or subject to action. [4]

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?

Not in place of conventional care. NCCIH advises not using TCM to replace or delay seeking conventional care. [1]

References

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, US). Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
NCCIH (US). Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. Read 2026-10-22.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Acupuncture: License Requirements. Read 2026-10-22.
California Acupuncture Board. Consumer FAQs. 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 (England). Herbal medicines and complementary therapies. Read 2026-10-22.
Professional Standards Authority (UK). Our work with Accredited Registers. Read 2026-10-22.
NCCIH (US). Credentialing, Licensing, and Education. Read 2026-10-22.
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario. Unauthorized Practitioners. 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.