Acupuncturists
To practice in NL, you must apply for and have confirmation that your registration is approved before commencing employment.
Provided you meet all other registration requirements, if you are scheduled to complete or have completed your National Certification Exam / Clinical Competency Exam and are waiting on results you will be granted a temporary status. Your temporary registration will continue until such time as you provide the NLCHP with proof of success in the exam. If you are not successful, your temporary status will be revoked. Applicants applying for temporary status while waiting for the results of their National Certification Exam can find the requisite supervision form here.
Applicants will need to submit the following:
The ID must not be expired, and the photo/scan that is submitted must be clearly legible.
The Certificate of Conduct and Vulnerable Sector Check must be dated within 6 months of your application date. The NLCHP requires the original document(s) be forwarded to the NLCHP office via mail or drop off following submission of your application.
The Pan-Canadian Examination (PCE) for acupuncture is offered by the Canadian Alliance of Regulatory Bodies of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CARB-TCMPA).
Applicants approved for registration with NLCHP will be automatically registered to write the PCE. To determine registration eligibility, graduates of TCM/A programs outside Canada are required to submit a BASIC credential evaluation report from the International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES).
International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES)
3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 3H2
Telephone: 604-432-8800 Toll Free (N. America) 1-888-434-9197
For more specific details about the PCE, please refer directly to CARB-TCMPA (this includes examination content and format, preparation, registration, what to expect on examination days, and other information regarding the examination administration including accommodations).
The cost for the PCE is $942 (plus tax)
PCE Important Dates
Fall Examination (October 29 & 30, 2026)
-Deadline for fall examination is July 15th
Spring Examination (April 2027)
-Deadline for spring examination is January 15th
Eligibility for the examination is for the next examination date only and cannot be deferred. An applicant’s eligibility to write the upcoming examination does not guarantee that they will be eligible for subsequent examinations.
Requests to withdraw from the examination must be made to administration@nlchp.ca before the exam deadline to obtain a refund of the examination fee. Verbal withdrawals are not accepted. If withdrawal requests are not received by the deadline, no portion of the application/examination fee will be refunded.
The Clinical Competency Exam provided through the College of TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists of NL (CTCMPANL) is an in-person practical modalities exam that is normally offered twice per year.
Applicants approved for registration in NL will automatically be registered to complete the exam at the next available date. Applicants will be contacted with more specific information regarding the time and location of the exam. For more specific information pertaining to the competency exam, please reference the CTCMPANL Clinical Competency Exam Candidate Handbook here.
The cost for the Clinical Competency Exam, which includes the following modalities, is $450:
-Needle, Moxa, Cupping ($225)
-Acupuncture Points ($225)
Examination Schedule
Fall Examination (October 17th, 2026)
-Deadline for fall examination is July 15th
Spring Examination (April 2027)
-Deadline for spring examination is January 15th
Applicants must complete an online safety module provided through the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA). Applicants will be given access to the online safety module through their application for registration with the NLCHP.
The cost to complete the online safety module is $120. Once the module has been successfully completed, applicants can provide proof of completion directly to the NLCHP via the NLCHP portal.
Proof of professional liability insurance (PLI) must show your name, dates of coverage, and amount of coverage. Acupuncturists must have a minimum of $ 1,000,000 PLI
Certificates of completion are required for the following online courses. Courses must be completed withing 3 months of the date your application is submitted.
Custodian-Direct Contact with Personal Health Information available on http://nlchi.skillbuilder.ca/home
Direct Contact with Personal Health Information available on http://nlchi.skillbuilder.ca/home
Jurisprudence Education for your Health Profession available at chplearning.ca
You must have official transcripts/proof of education program completion sent directly from your educational institution to the NLCHP. You must also submit a government issued document to verify the transcript if your name has changed since the completion of your program.
Your CPR certification must be from an approved course.
You must successfully complete the Clean Needle Technique Course.
Proof of practice hours can come in the form of a letter from your employer confirming that you have practiced 750 hours in the previous four years.
Individuals currently or previously registered to practice in another jurisdiction must provide a Verification of Registration/Letter of Good Standing (s): These letters must be sent directly to NLCHP from the Regulatory Body. For more information please see the Policy – Letter of Good Standing. Please provide the jurisdiction (s) with NLCHP’s Request Form: Letter of Good Standing.
You must provide evidence of English language proficiency. Please see the NLCHP Policy – English Language Proficiency
A registration decision will be made no later than 50 business days after all required documentation has been submitted to the NLCHP. You will receive an email once your application is approved and your name has been added to the List of Registered Health Professionals. You are then eligible to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador. You are not able to commence employment, which includes orientation until your name has been added to the NLCHP List of Registered Health Professionals.
If any of the documents required are available in a language other than English, you must attach to the original an English copy translated by a certified translator. All costs associated with translation are the responsibility of the applicant. Please note that once you become registered with the NLCHP, you are automatically registered with the College.