As the result of a new law, nurses cannot use the title "acupuncturist" because it is now a protected title under the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act, 2006.       

The Act, and new regulations governing acupuncture under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, took effect on April 1.

Although the new regulations make performing acupuncture a controlled act, some health professions including nursing are exempt. This means that nurses:  

• do not require an order to perform acupuncture unless their practice setting requires it
• cannot delegate acupuncture to another person.

As with any aspect of practice, nurses are expected to apply the College's standards when performing the procedure.

Acupuncture is also exempt from the controlled acts when it is performed by any person as part of an addiction treatment program within a health facility.

For more information, read Strengthening Safe, Regulated Traditional Chinese Medicine.