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 here.
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, read the candidate handbook.
To register for the Pan-Canadian Examinations candidates must apply through their provincial college.
View past Pan-Canadian exam results and future exam dates here.
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.
As of October 2023, to preserve the integrity and security of the examinations, the Acupuncturists, TCM Herbalists, and TCM Practitioners exams will be returning to an in-person format at computer-based testing centers. This change is expected to reduce the number of technical issues experienced by candidates, minimize test taker anxiety, and ensure the timely launch of examinations at each testing center.
Examinations will take place at the following locations across Canada:
|
Province |
City |
|
|
Alberta |
Calgary Edmonton Fort McMurray |
Lethbridge Lloydminster Red Deer |
|
British Columbia |
Abbotsford Burnaby Kamloops Kelowna Nanaimo |
Prince George Surrey Vancouver Victoria |
|
Manitoba |
Brandon |
Winnipeg |
|
New Brunswick |
Fredericton Moncton |
Saint John |
|
Newfoundland |
St. John’s |
|
|
Nova Scotia |
Halifax |
Sydney |
|
Ontario
|
Barrie Kingston London Markham Mississauga Ottawa |
Scarborough St. Catharine’s Sudbury Thunder Bay Toronto Windsor |
|
Prince Edward Island |
Charlottetown |
|
|
Saskatchewan
|
Regina |
Saskatoon |
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 and have never been 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. An annual increase in exam fees also takes inflation and other market factors into account.
| Examination | Fee |
|---|---|
| Acupuncturists | $915 |
| TCM Herbalists | $915 |
| TCM Practitioners | $1,258 |
Accessibility
CARB-TCMPA is committed to accessibility, improving opportunities for people with disabilities, and supporting a more representative and inclusive TCM/A profession. CARB-TCMPA will provide reasonable special 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 or French is not grounds for requesting any form of accommodation.
To request an accommodation, candidates must complete both the Request for Accommodation form and the Verification of Candidate’s Condition form. Candidates should carefully read the instructions, ensure that both forms are completed, and send completed forms to accommodations@carb-tcmpa.org.
Appeals
The results of the examination 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 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 Appeals Policy intends to establish a sound and rigorous process and practice for dealing with inquiries and appeals related to the administration of the examinations. CARB-TCMPA supports a fair and transparent appeals process through an internal Appeals and Accommodations Committee that is structured to ensure that conflicts of interest are avoided.
Candidates are strongly advised to review the 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 by the Appeals and Accommodations Committee.
For more information on the appeals process and eligibility, read the policy.
To submit an appeal, complete and submit the Request for Nullification form with the supporting documentation to appeals@carb-tcmpa.org.