About the Exams
The Pan-Canadian Examinations assess occupational competencies of entry-level TCM professionals that are required for safe, competent, and ethical practice. Successful completion of the Pan-Canadian Examinations is required for registration as a TCM Practitioner, Acupuncturist or TCM Herbalist, along with other requirements imposed by the provincial regulator.
The Pan-Canadian Examinations include the Pan-Canadian Entry-level Examinations for TCM Practitioners, Acupuncturists, and for TCM Herbalists.
The TCM Practitioners Examination assesses occupational competencies that are common to both acupuncture and herbology, as well as competencies that are specific to each of acupuncture and herbology. The Acupuncturists Examination assesses the common competencies as well as those specific to acupuncture. The TCM Herbalists Examination assesses the common competencies as well as those specific to herbology. View the Entry-Level Occupational Competency Profile.
In order to pass a Pan-Canadian Examination, a candidate must demonstrate the minimum level of competence expected of an entry-level TCM professional in the designated role. Unsuccessful candidates on the Pan-Canadian Examinations are the ones that have not yet acquired the required occupational competencies.
For more information on the Pan-Canadian Examinations, please refer to the Candidate Handbook. The Candidate Handbook is designed to provide candidates with essential information about examination structure, policies, and procedures. It is not designed to serve as a study guide, reflect examination difficulty level, or predict candidate performance.
To register for the Pan-Canadian Examinations candidates must apply through their provincial regulatory college.
Delivery
The Pan-Canadian Examinations (PCE) are computer-based assessments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online proctoring was introduced to ensure continuity of service for candidates writing the PCE. In October 2023, the Acupuncturists, TCM Herbalists, and TCM Practitioners exams returned to an in-person format at computer-based testing centers. This change has increased the security of the examinations and reduced the number of technical issues experienced by candidates on examination day.
Effective August 2024, CARB-TCMPA no longer publishes a list of test centre locations. Test centre locations are subject to change and periodically locations are unavailable on examination dates. When applying to write the Pan-Canadian Examinations through their provincial regulatory body, candidates may indicate their first and second preferred locations. As noted in the Candidate Handbook, while CARB-TCMPA makes every effort to book candidates at their preferred location, the location cannot be guaranteed due to test centre availability. If a candidate is not booked into their preferred location, it is because the location was not available on examination day and CARB-TCMPA has selected the closest available location for the candidate. Candidates receive confirmation of their booking location via email approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to their examination.
Exam Fees
CARB-TCMPA calculates Pan-Canadian Exam fees on the basis of recovering their costs. As a not-for-profit organization, exam fees are not viewed by CARB-TCMPA as an opportunity to generate a profit. The fees cover the development and administration of the exams as well as the operations of the organization to support the ongoing sustainability of the exam program. Increases in exam fees also takes inflation and other market factors into account.
| Examination | 2024 Fees | 2025 Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncturists | $915 | $942 |
| TCM Herbalists | $915 | $942 |
| TCM Practitioners | $1,258 | $1,295 |
Accessibility
CARB-TCMPA is committed to accessibility, improving opportunities for people with disabilities, and supporting a representative and inclusive TCM/A profession. CARB-TCMPA will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with special needs, for candidates with a religious reason that prevents them from writing on the scheduled examination date, or for other medical situations deemed appropriate by the Appeals and Accommodations Committee.
Candidates with disabilities are entitled under the human rights legislation of each province to reasonable examination accommodations that provide for fair and valid assessment. A disability is any health-based restriction that may prevent candidates from demonstrating their competence should they be writing an examination under regular examination administration conditions. A disability may include any degree of physical disability, mental health impairment, or a learning disability. Lack of proficiency in English is not grounds for requesting any form of accommodation.
To request an accommodation, candidates must complete the Request for Accommodation Form and, if seeking accommodation for a disability or other health-related circumstance, the included Verification of Candidate’s Functional Limitations Form. Candidates should carefully read the instructions, ensure that both forms are complete and accurate, and send the completed forms to accommodations@carb-tcmpa.org. Please review the CARB-TCMPA Candidate Accessibility Guideline and Accommodation Policy for more information.
Appeals
The results of the examinations are used by regulatory bodies to make several important decisions including whether candidates for admission are permitted to practise a profession or hold themselves out as registered members of the profession. Access to an appeal of such decisions is a vital element of due process, fairness, and accountability.
CARB-TCMPA supports a transparent appeal mechanism to enhance public confidence in the examination process. Individual appeals serve to strengthen accountability. They encourage due diligence, promote high-quality internal procedures, and reflect a concerted effort to avoid or remedy errors so that appeals become unnecessary.
The Examination Withdrawal and Appeals Policy intends to establish a sound and rigorous process and practice for dealing with appeals related to the administration of the examinations. CARB-TCMPA supports a fair and transparent appeals process through an internal appeals process structured to ensure that conflicts of interest are avoided.
Candidates are strongly advised to review the Withdrawal and Appeals policy and any other relevant materials, such as the Candidate Handbook, before requesting a nullification of their examination results. If the procedures and requirements are not followed, the request may not be considered.
To submit an appeal, review the Examination Withdrawal and Appeals Policy, and complete and submit the Request for Nullification (Appeal) Form with supporting documentation to appeals@carb-tcmpa.org.