What we do

Founded in 2008, the Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Colleges of Canada (FTCMCC) represents members of FTCMCC across Canada, and is the national voice of traditional Chinese medicine education in this country.

September 28, 2008, in BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, 8 presidents and educators of Colleges of Traditional Chinese Medicine across Canada, gathered together, to discuss the desire and the opportunity to create a platform to promote professionalism, standardization, and high quality education.  The meeting considered the establishment of recognized standards imminent in current education system.  The discussion led to the instituting of the Federation of Colleges of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Canada.  Although the FTCMCC focused on training Acupuncturists, TCM practitioners and TCM doctors, but may also play the role of bridging differences between Canada and China in the field of traditional Chinese medicine education.

Colleges with FTCMCC:

Learn more about Educational Standards
Minimum Curriculum Requirements

The Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Colleges of Ontario has established the minimum curriculum requirements of educational programs for acupuncturists, TCM practitioners and doctor of TCM. The curriculum provides the knowledge, skills and clinical experience necessary for students to achieve the national professional practice requirements according to the Entry-Level Occupational Competencies for TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists, and Doctor of TCM.

In order to be accredited by FTCMCC, an institution must have meet the following minimum requirements.

  1. Admission requirements
  2. Minimum and maximum program length
  3. Total didactic hours
  4. Clinical hours
  5. Specific requirements:
    1. TCM Foundation
    2. Biomedicine
    3. Acupuncture
    4. Herbology
    5. Tuina Massage
    6. TCM Classics
    7. Advanced Medicine
    8. Research
  6. Student evaluation
Minimum Requirements
Programs Acupuncture TCM Practitioner Doctor of TCM
1. Admission requirements G12 G12 2y post secondary
2. Program length 2-6 years 3-8 years 4-8 years
2.1 Program length (minimum duration) 24 calendar months 36 calendar months 48 calendar months
2.2 Program length (maximum duration) 6 years 8 years 8 years
2.3 Program hours (total hours) 1900h 2600h 3250h
2.4 Clinical hours (included in total hours) 450h 650h 1050h
2.5 Specific requirements
2.5.1 TCM Foundation 360h 360h 360h
2.5.2 Biomedicine 250h 250h 250h
2.5.3 Acupuncture 540h 540h 540h
2.5.4 Herbology X 550h 550h
2.5.5 Tuina Massage 60h 60h 60h
2.5.6 TCM Classics X X 120h
2.5.7 Advanced Medicine X X 180h
2.5.8 TCMA Research X X 40h
2.6 Student evaluation (Pass Mark) 60% 60% 60%
Learn more about Accreditation
FTCMCC acts to represent and implement the mandate of members of FTCMCC. Our accreditation process will ensure that each member of FTCMCC has met the requirement of standard approved by the board.

Download PDFs:

Accreditation Checklist
FTCMCC Audit Checklist
Board of Directors
FTCMCC is governed by the Board of Directors, comprised of the Deans of the Colleges of medicine and one public member.

The objective of FTMCC, as outlined in the constitution, is to promote the advancement of Traditional Chinese medicine education in Canada through the

  • review and development of standards for Chinese medical education in Canada
  • development of national policies appropriate to the aims and purposes of Canadian colleges of traditional Chinese medicine
  • fostering of research into major areas of interest for Canadian colleges of traditional Chinese medicine
  • representation of the Canadian faculties of medicine to key agencies Board Members
Dr. Cheng, Xia President, Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dr. Li, Diana Tong President, Canadian College of Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine
Prof. Wu, Bin Jiang President, Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Prof. Wu, Mary President, Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dr. Yang, John PCU College of Holistic Medicine

Advisory Members

Dr, Xiaochun Pan Former president, Canadian Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine; Instructor, Canadian Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Prof. Cedric K. T. Cheung Former President, Transitional Council of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners; Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO); Vice-President, World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (W.F.A.S.)