If you’re interested in becoming a doctor of acupuncture in Alberta, there are several steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Follow these steps to become a licensed acupuncturist in the province:

In Alberta, acupuncture is a regulated health profession, and it is governed by the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA). Registered acupuncturist is entitled to call himself or herself as a Doctors of Acupuncture.

Here are the steps to become a doctor of acupuncture in Alberta

1. Enroll in an accredited program: It’s important to ensure that the school you choose is accredited by a recognized regulatory agency, such as the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA), the Private Vocational Training Act (PVTA), and the Canadian Alliance of Regulatory Bodies for Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CARB-TCMPA).
2. Pay attention to non-acupuncture focused courses: During your acupuncture program, you’ll also study subjects such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry. It’s important to take these courses seriously, as you will likely be examined on them during the registration test.
3. Complete the acupuncture program: Generally, the acupuncture program takes between 3 to 4 years to complete. During your studies, you will learn the theories and practices of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other traditional Chinese medicine techniques.
4. Pass the Pan-Canadian Exam: After graduating from your acupuncture program, you must pass the Pan-Canadian Examination, which is administered by the Canadian Alliance of Regulatory Bodies for Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (CARB-TCMPA).
5. Pass the additional Alberta Acupuncture Registration Examinations (AARE): To ensure safe, competent, and ethical practice, CAA also conducts the following exams in addition to the Pan-Canadian Examination: CAA Safety Exam, CAA Modalities Exam, CAA Acupuncture Points Exam.
6. Obtain registration and licensure: Once you have successfully passed the Pan-Canadian Exam, and the additional CAA exams, you can apply for registration and licensure with CAA to practice acupuncture in Alberta.
7. Continuing education requirement: Acupuncture professionals must complete continuing education credits to maintain their registration and license. The CAA requires acupuncturists to complete 50 continuing education credits every two years to stay registered and licensed to practice in Alberta.

By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to becoming a licensed acupuncturist in Alberta. Good luck on your journey!