Time is running out for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists to continue practising in Ontario: on April 1 a new licensing regulation kicks in.

Although most knew the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario a self-regulating body similar to the College of Physicians and Surgeons would be established this spring, they say they only learned of the exact implementation date in late February.

Registration began that month, leaving practitioners scrambling to get police checks, transcripts and other documents in time to avoid disruption to their practice and patient care.

Im all for regulations, but the problem is its such a rushed process. If you dont get a registration number by April 1 and are caught practising, you will be fined $25,000, said acupuncturist and nutritionist Melissa Ramos, who runs Sexy Food Therapy on Danforth Ave.

We have to take the jurisprudence and safety tests. A lot of people are not able to take them because the room is packed and they couldnt get in.

Hong Zhao, who has a postgraduate degree from the Yunnan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China and has practised in Toronto since 1996, took her jurisprudence test in November and was scheduled to take the safety exam last Saturday.

She fears having to cancel her April appointments, and hopes the college will allow practitioners a grace period while their applications are in process. I dont know how long I have to wait for the registration, said Zhao, who runs a clinic near Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave.

The college said it had publicly announced through emails to individuals, industry associations and stakeholders, and through its website and information sessions, that it will take three to six weeks to review applications.

The College completely sympathizes with the situation of these practitioners if they experience temporary disruption after April 1, the regulators spokesperson, Conrad Tang, said in an email. It is not the intent of the college to frustrate the provision of health care, but to ensure that it is delivered in a manner in which the public is protected.

Tang said there were enough opportunities and spaces provided for practitioners to attempt the qualifying tests. We regret that individuals chose to wait to the very last minute.

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Time running out for Chinese medicine practitioners to get licensed