International Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Academy Foundations

The International Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine is built upon the pillars of the educational history of the International Academy Health Education Centre, with its roots established in April 1980.

The overall philosophy of the TCM Academy is to present career ready diploma programming in the following Oriental/Eastern Health Disciplines:

The design of each program is to integrate the knowledge and practices of the East with their application in a Western cultural and working environment. Each level of programming is presented in 24 hour modules and builds onto the previous level. In this manner the student develops a strong foundation of information and skill as he/she graduates through the various diploma levels.

The student may select either the Acupuncture or Chinese Herbal Diploma and still be eligible to move into the TCM Practitioner Program since the educational content adapts to the required training within the TCM Practitioner program so that upon conclusion of the TCM Practitioner both entry level diplomas, whether Acupuncture or Chinese Herbal Medicine, will have reached the same point of knowledge and skill required for the TCM diploma.

The practice of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine is currently regulated in the Province of British Columbia. The practice of Acupuncture is regulated in the Province of Alberta. In Ontario, the provincial government has presented its first reading of a Bill to regulate both Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, in a manner very similar to the Province of British Columbia. As such the International Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Programs have been structured to meet or exceed the educational requirements as established and known for the Province of British Columbia. The IATCM programming is designed to present the identified 'core competencies' within the profession and to offer a streamlined timeline to reach the goal of a practicing professional.

The following is a comparison of the International Academy's programming hours and the established training hours for the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

Jurisdictions IATCM Canada (AB) Canada (BC) USA (NCCAOM*)
Hours of Training Total Clinical Total Clinical Total Clinical Total Clinical
Doctor of TCM 3600 1272 N/A N/A 3250 1050 4000 1200
TCM Practitioner 2916 1092 N/A N/A 2600 650 N/A N/A
Acupuncture Practitioner 2004 456 1750 500 1900 450 1750 500
Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner 2004 512 N/A N/A 1900 450 2175 500

The above chart reflects the requirements set out in Alberta and B.C. and by the US

National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) in the United States.

Looking to the Future…

Once the Bill has had its third reading in the Ontario legislature, the new Regulatory Board for TCM will then establish both competency and licensing standards for all persons practicing or intending to practice in the Province of Ontario. All practicing professionals and students will be required to meet the future standards established by the Regulatory Board. With this in mind the IATMC has been diligent in the design of its programming to work towards the perceived level of regulations and has kept foremost in mind the established competencies and standards for the Province B.C., as it will be an important outcome for both Provinces to permit inter-provincial transfer of professionals in TCM between the Provinces for working purposes.

Until such time as the Regulatory Board is formed and the requirements for licensing within Ontario are determined, the practice of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine continues to be outside of the Regulated Health Professions Act. As such, since the Health Professions Act only permits the use of the term 'Doctor' in five specific areas and the practice of Acupuncture and TCM are currently not regulated, practicing professionals may not use the title of Doctor until it is granted by the future licensing regulatory board.

The International Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine programs are taught by industry professionals and specialists in their respective areas of knowledge.

It is the goal to continue to provide a leading edge approach to its educational programming and one that integrates the knowledge and skills associated with Eastern medicine to the Western living environment of its practitioners and clients.