Acupuncture Education and Authorization

Reason for this Policy

Acupuncture is one of 14 high-risk procedures or activities, called a controlled act, under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). A controlled act is a high-risk procedure or activity that can only be performed by authorized, regulated health professionals to ensure public safety (RHPA,s. 27.1). ¹ This policy outlines how an RMT/MT can become authorized to use acupuncture, including the completion of specialized training. It also outlines how an education program can meet CMTO’s requirements for acupuncture education.

Background

CMTO defines acupuncture as pricking the skin or tissues with needles (solid, filiform needles) for the purpose of treating and preventing physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints within the Scope of Practice of Massage Therapy. It does not include the use of hollow needles.

Only RMTs/MTs who have completed specialized training, and are authorized by CMTO, can use acupuncture in their Massage Therapy practice. To perform acupuncture, it must be:

Within the Scope of Practice of Massage Therapy;
In accordance with CMTO’s definition of acupuncture; and
In compliance with all Standards of Practice, including the Acupuncture Standard

Requirements

RMT/MT Acupuncture Authorization

Registrants who wish to use acupuncture in their Massage Therapy practice must:

Successfully complete a confirmed acupuncture education program;
Arrange for the confirmed acupuncture education program to submit documentation
directly to CMTO confirming the registrant’s successful completion; and
Complete CMTO’s online application process including declarations attesting that they:
1. Will practise acupuncture within the Scope of Practice of Massage Therapy;
2. Have read, understood and will practise in accordance with all CMTO’s Standards of Practice, Standard of Practice for Acupuncture, Acupuncture Practice Competencies and Performance
  Indicators (APC/PIs) and all regulations;
3. Have the knowledge, skill and judgment to safely perform acupuncture;
4. Have completed their confirmed acupuncture education program no more than three years prior to applying; and
5. Possess the professional liability insurance required to perform acupuncture (registrants should contact their insurance provider for information about updated coverage and any associated costs).

Registrants must complete similar declarations annually at renewal.

When an RMT/MT is authorized by CMTO to use acupuncture in their Massage Therapy practice, the date of the authorization is displayed on the RMT’s/MT’s record on CMTO’s online public register.

Dual Registrants

The three-year timeframe for completing an acupuncture education program does not apply to dual registrants (an RMT/MT who is also registered with another Ontario health profession regulator) who meet all of the following criteria:

A member of a profession in Ontario authorized to practise using acupuncture;
A registrant in good standing with that profession’s regulator; and
Currently authorized by that profession’s regulator to practise using acupuncture.

Confirmed Acupuncture Education Programs

RMTs/MTs who wish to perform acupuncture must receive training from a ‘confirmed acupuncture education program’. Only education programs that have declared to CMTO that their teachings, evaluation process and instructor qualifications meet CMTO’s requirements are called confirmed acupuncture education programs.

To become a confirmed acupuncture education program, the program must submit a declaration to CMTO that:

The program teaches all of the Acupuncture Practice Competencies and Performance
Indicators (APC/PIs) as identified by CMTO;
All of the program’s acupuncture instructors are authorized to use acupuncture (regulated in Ontario, in good standing,² and not currently under investigation);
Their acupuncture program includes:
- comprehensive practical and theoretical evaluation(s) or examination(s) of students for both the theoretical and practical components of the curriculum, AND
Every part of the program is taught in either English or French.

Confirmed acupuncture education programs must re-confirm annually that they meet the requirements noted above.

A list of confirmed acupuncture education programs is available on CMTO’s website. These programs vary in length and may be based on either the Western or Eastern acupuncture tradition. Registrants are encouraged to contact the education provider directly to ensure that the acupuncture education program they wish to take is a confirmed acupuncture education program, and to learn about associated fees.

An RMT/MT who completes a program that meets CMTO’s requirements but was designed for another health profession should be aware that if they are taught to perform activities that are outside the Scope of Practice for Massage Therapy, they must not perform those activities in their Massage Therapy practice.

CMTO may modify the list of acupuncture education programs at its discretion. It may remove a program from its list if CMTO learns that the program does not meet one or more of the minimum requirements for inclusion.

Approved by Executive on behalf of Council: Sept. 20, 2022
Updated to reflect wording and numbering of amended Registration Regulation: July 1, 2024
Reviewed and Updated: June 9, 2026

^[1] Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs/MTs) may use acupuncture in their Massage Therapy practice only if they have first been authorized by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) to do so.

^[2] To be in good standing with their health regulatory college, the instructor must not be in default of payment of any prescribed fees; their Certificate of Registration must not be subject to a term, condition or limitation other than one prescribed by regulation; they must not be the subject of any disciplinary or incapacity proceedings; and their registration must not be revoked pursuant to any order that was issued by the Ontario Massage Therapists Discipline Tribunal.