There has been recent confusion among Alberta students regarding the new requirements introduced by the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta for approved acupuncture education programs.
Approved in December 2024, the Acupuncture Education Program Review Policy and Procedure is designed to ensure all approved acupuncture programs provide high-quality education that equips students with the foundational competencies needed for safe, effective, and professional practice.
The Acupuncture Education Program Review Policy and Procedure includes program review standards. The program review standards outline the criteria a school’s program must meet to maintain its approval status.
In particular, program review standard 5.7 outlines requirements for the number and types of patients students should treat during their clinical hours. These requirements are expected to be met by the school. It is the school’s responsibility to provide adequate clinical opportunities to all students, which includes providing a sufficient number and variety of patients.
The College conducts periodic site visits to support schools in maintaining alignment with current program review standards. If a program does not meet the review standards, it does not impact a student’s ability to graduate. Students are not responsible for sourcing patients or ensuring patients meet the criteria outlined in program review standard 5.7. Program review standard 5.7 also has no impact on your ability to register with the College and become an acupuncturist.
To register with the College and receive a practice permit, Alberta students must graduate from an approved education program. When registering, you submit your official transcripts and diploma. The College does not do any additional auditing of your program or clinical hours for the purposes of registering. The College will not check your transcripts or patient records for compliance with any of the program review standards. It is the responsibility of the school to ensure compliance with the education review standards. If you graduated from an approved program in Alberta, then you’ve met the College’s educational requirements for registration.