Eligibility Checklist:

  • Completed at least 1900 hours of TCM or acupuncture education, including 500 clinical hours, from an approved institution.

  • Hold Canadian citizenship or landed immigrant status.

  • Pass a criminal background check with a vulnerable sector check

Spine acupunture

Steps to Apply:

  1. To apply for CMAAC membership, please follow these steps and provide the required documentation:

    1. Application Form

      • • Download the CMAAC Membership Application Form from the Governance section at CMAAC.ca.

      • • Complete the form and sign the following oaths (available in the Governance section):

        • ~ Declaration of Geneva

        • ~ Declaration of Helsinki

        • ~ The Hippocratic Oath

        • ~ The Prayer of Maimonides

    2. Educational Proof

      • • Copy of your diploma.

      • • Copy of your transcripts, including total training hours and course details. (An entrance exam may be required for candidates from other countries or provinces.)

    3. Government-Issued Photo ID

      • • Provide a photocopy or image of a valid ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport, citizenship card).

    4. Safety and Clean Needle Technique Certification

      • • If not listed on your transcript, complete an online course and include the certificate.

    5. Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check

      • • Must be completed by the RCMP within the last six months.

    6. Personal Documents

      • • Personal resume.

      • • Two letters of recommendation from professionals who have known you for at least two years. Accepted recommendations include registered acupuncturists, medical doctors, professors, employers, and similar professionals.

      • • Four passport-sized photographs, signed by a guarantor.

    7. Supporting Documents (Optional)

      • • Certificates from other professional associations (e.g., acupuncture, massage therapy).

      • • Proof of licensing exam completion (e.g., Pan-Canadian, NCCAOM).

      • Additional diplomas or certifications.

    8. Fees

      • • Pay $250 via e-transfer to your local chapter at cmaacnovascotia@gmail.com.

      • • After review, pay $300 to the national office at headoffice@cmaac.ca.

    Submission
    • Applications must be submitted to the NS-CMAAC chapter for approval before being forwarded nationally. Send or deliver your application to:

    CMAAC-NS Director of Membership
    1306 Bedford Hwy,
    Bedford, Nova Scotia, B4A 1C8

    For questions, contact the NS-CMAAC local office.and diplomas (sealed).

  2. Two letters of reference.

  3. Criminal record check results.

  5. Submit your completed application to NS-CMAAC along with the local chapter fees.

Fee Breakdown

Local Chapter Fee: $250 (one-time application) + $100 (annual membership) + $25 (registration certificate)

National Membership: $150 (annual membership) + $25 (shipping/handling)

Total First-Time Fee: $550

Application Process

  1. Submission

    • Compile all required documents and submit them to NS-CMAAC for review.

  2. Confirmation

    • You will receive confirmation within one week that your application has been received.

  3. Review Timeline

    • The Membership Committee will review your application.

      • Canadian-trained applicants: Review may take up to 4 weeks.

      • International applicants: Review may take up to 2 months.

    • You will be notified if wait times are extended or if additional information is required.

Note:

  • Approval is not guaranteed, even with complete documentation.

  • CMAACNS reserves the right to request additional documents or deny approval at any time.

  • Applicants may withdraw their application at any time, for any reason.

CMAACNS is a self-governing volunteer organization dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of acupuncture and TCM practice to protect its members and the public.

Approval Process

If your application is approved, the Membership Committee will contact you to finalize your membership. Steps include:

  • Submitting proof of liability insurance (if not previously provided).

Once finalized, you will receive:

  • A membership certificate by mail.

  • Inclusion in the list of “approved providers” for private health insurance plans.

Annual Membership Renewal

Membership renewal occurs every January. Regardless of your initial join date, all members must complete the renewal process, which includes:

  1. Providing updated contact information.

  2. Proof of 15 hours of Continuing Education (CE) courses completed in the past year.

  3. Payment of the $150 annual CMAACNS membership fee. (A $50 discount applies if you attended the previous year’s Annual General Meeting.)

  4. Proof of continued liability insurance.

  5. Updated criminal background and vulnerable sector check every five years.