Registration Of TCM Physicians Starts

22 Jan 2002

Applications for the registration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians start on 28 Jan 2002.

Citizens and permanent residents of Singapore who have been practicing TCM in Singapore continuously on or before 8 Dec 2001 and who wish to be considered for exemptions from appraisals and examinations may apply for registration with the TCM Practitioners Board from 28 Jan to 28 Mar 2002. Applications received after this period will be treated as regular applications and not be considered for similar consideration.

The Ministry had earlier announced plans to register all TCM physicians by 1 Jan 2004. After that, only registered persons with valid practising certificates will be allowed to practise TCM in Singapore. This is part of the Ministry?s regulatory framework for TCM practitioners in Singapore to ensure that Singaporeans receive safe TCM treatment by qualified practitioners with higher practising standards.

Notification of Outcome

Applicants who apply for registration by 28 Mar 2002 will be notified of the outcome by post according to the following categories:

(a) Eligible for direct registration;

(b) Required to pass the TCM Appraisal (TA) before registration;

(c) Required to attend the TCM Upgrading Training Course (TUTC) and pass the Common TCM Qualifying Examination (CTQE) before registration; and

(d) Not eligible for registration.

This arrangement will enable applicants who do not qualify for direct registration with the TCM Practitioners Board, viz categories (b) and (c), to have ample opportunities and time to improve themselves and meet the necessary requirements for registration before the law comes into effect on 1 Jan 2004.

Those under (b) will have two chances to undergo the TA, the first of which will be held in September 2002 and the second one, in November 2002. The Ministry, the TCM Practitioners Board and the Singapore TCM Organisations Coordinating Committee (STCMOCC) have drawn up a 12-month TUTC for those under (c). The one-year course, to start in July 2002 and end in June 2003, will help them upgrade themselves and prepare for the CTQE. The first CTQE is scheduled in August 2003 and the second CTQE in October 2003.

Advice for Applicants

The Ministry advises applicants on the following points when making the application for registration:

I. Submit the application early and not to wait till the last few days before the applications close, so as to allow the Board sufficient time to process the applications. Only applications received by 5.30 pm, 28 Mar 2002 will qualify for the exemptions.

II. Ensure that the application forms are duly completed, with the full set of supporting documents as required. Incomplete application forms or applications without the necessary supporting documents will be rejected.

III. Hand in the forms personally, to ensure that the application form is properly filled, with the complete set of required supporting documents attached.

The application forms may be submitted, together with an application fee of S$50, to the TCM Practitioners Board at the following address:

TCM Practitioners Board

Level 2, Health Promotion Board Building

3 Second Hospital Avenue

Singapore 168937

Venues to Obtain Application Forms

Application forms can be obtained at any of the following locations:

TCM Practitioners Board

Level 2, Health Promotion Board Building

3 Second Hospital Avenue

Singapore 168937

Singapore TCM Organisations Coordinating Committee (STCMOCC)

Singapore Chinese Physicians Association

640 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh

Singapore 319522

The Association for Promoting Chinese Medicine

25A Lorong 22 Geylang

Singapore 319522

Singapore Chinese Medical Union

21 Tyrwhitt Road #06-05

Foochow Building

Singapore 207530

Thong Chai Medical Institution

50 Chin Swee Road

Singapore 169874

Public Enquiry Hotline Number

Members of the public may call the TCM hotline at 236 1080 for more information. They can also look out for details in the press advertisements in Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao, Lianhe Wanbao and Sin Min Daily News on 22 Jan 2002.