Acupuncture

Train For a Career in Acupuncture

Train in Traditional Chinese Medicine and gain hands-on experience treating real clients in supervised clinical settings. This program is designed to help you build the practical skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to start a career in acupuncture.

Get Real Clinical Practice Build your skills in our on-site student clinic, working with real clients in a supervised environment.
Become PAN-CAN Ready Graduate eligible to write the PAN-CAN exams for acupuncturist registration in BC.
Campus Availability Burnaby
Scholarship Up to $5,000* available for eligible students, until June 30, 2026. *Terms apply.
Program Overview

Acupuncture Diploma

Acupuncture program

This full-time program combines Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern clinical training to help you build practical skills and professional confidence. You’ll learn anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment techniques while gaining hands-on experience in supervised clinical settings.

 

Develop the skills needed to support client wellness, recovery, and overall health through acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine practices.

 

During your training, you’ll learn how to assess clients and deliver a range of acupuncture and TCM treatments. You’ll build practical skills focused on restoring balance, relieving pain, and supporting long-term wellness for a variety of client needs.

 

96-week Diploma program
In-person
Supervised clinical practicums

Recognition

Training that meets industry and regulatory standards
Our programs are designed to meet established industry and provincial requirements, helping ensure your education is respected by employers and aligned with current workforce expectations. This commitment reflects our focus on quality training, accountability, and career-ready outcomes.

Recognized by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC)

Program is approved by the Registrar of the Provincial Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU)

Program Requirements

Admission & Requirements

Admissions advisors will guide you through each step

 

  • Proof of high school graduation or equivalent (General Education Development or BC Adult Basic Education or at minimum, 1 year of post-secondary completion)

OR

  • Mature student status (19 years old when class starts) 

  • Proof of English/Chinese proficiency 

 

*Notes: 

  • Transcripts from an institution outside of Canada must be verified by an international education credential evaluation service, such as WES or ICES. 

  • Proof of English Language proficiency for applicants to the English language program OR Proof of Chinese Language proficiency for applicants to the Chinese language program. 

 

Making Your Education Accessible

 

Financing your educational journey shouldn't hold you back. At Vancouver Career College, our dedicated team of Student Financial Planners is available to guide you through available financial options, depending on what you may qualify for.

 

Potential Funding Options

 

Government Student Loans: Government of BC-sponsored loan assistance for eligible students.

 

Student Lines of Credit: Offered through financial institutions, allowing you to borrow as needed.

 

Grants, Bursaries and Agency Funding: You may qualify through federal or provincial retraining programs, including WorkSafeBC and other government agencies.

 

Personalized Financial Support: Your Student Financial Planner will help you explore potential funding sources and identify options based on your situation.

 

Scholarships

We've awarded over $1 million in scholarships to students across all backgrounds. Talk to your campus Student Financial Planner to find out what you may qualify for.

  • Successful completion of all program courses with a minimum mark 60% 

  • Successful completion of all clinical practice hours 

Speak With Admissions
Acupuncture admissions

Career Paths for Acupuncture

Acupuncturists use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support pain relief, recovery, and overall wellness. With the right training and experience, graduates can pursue a variety of career opportunities in the growing field of holistic healthcare.

Acupuncture career paths
  • TCM Clinic
  • Wellness Clinic
  • Alternative Therapy Centre
  • Healing Centre

Find market-ready opportunities with guidance from Career Services.

What You'll Learn

Graduate With Practical Skills

Build the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to deliver Acupuncture treatments with confidence. As part of your training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), you’ll combine theory with practical experience to develop skills in anatomy, diagnosis, and patient care.

Acupuncture - Program Courses

This course introduces basic theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that are essential to the study of all other subsequent TCM and acupuncture courses. This course covers history and development of TCM, basic theories of TCM (Yin Yang and Wu Xing), TCM physiology involving vital substances (such as essence, Qi, spirit, blood and body fluids) and Zangfu (internal organs), TCM etiology and pathogenesis, and general TCM principles of preventing and treating diseases.

This is the first in a series of three courses that introduces the theories of acupuncture and moxibustion. Students will learn general composition, physiology and pathology and clinical application of Jingluo (channels and collaterals). Student will also study proportional body measurement methods, four-sea, rootbranch, Qi collecting areas, special point groups, naming convention of acupuncture points, and detailed study of each Jingluo and the characteristics of its pertaining acupuncture points. In this course, Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Channel, and the characteristics of their pertaining acupuncture points are introduced.

This is the first in a series of two courses which introduces the structure and function of the human body. Topics in this course include cellular and tissue structures, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, central and peripheral nervous systems, and sense organs.

This course introduces four diagnostic methods commonly used in TCM. These include Wang Zhen (observing), Wen Zhen (inquiring), Wen Zhen (listening and smelling) and Qie Zhen (palpating). Students will study the techniques of collecting relevant information, analyzing the clinical importance of the information and why and how such pathophysiological changes occur.

Rehabilitation is important to a patient’s successful recovery. This course introduces TCM rehabilitation exercises, Qi Gong or Tai Ji Quan. Students will learn the basic set of movements or routines in Qi Gong or Tai Ji Quan.

Acupuncture and TCM Clinic

Gain real-world experience before you graduate
Acupuncture and TCM Clinic

Work with real clients under instructor supervision to build hands-on skills, strengthen your technique, and prepare for professional practice.

  • Treat real clients in a supervised clinical setting
  • Build confidence through hands-on experience
  • Apply your training in real-world scenarios
  • Prepare for employment or private practice

 

To book an appointment, call  604-433-1299.

Why Choose This Program

Why Students Choose Our Acupuncture Program

Built for outcomes, not just credentials

From your first class to your final clinical placement, the focus is on building practical, job-ready skills. Train with experienced instructors, gain hands-on experience in our on-site clinic, and prepare for employment or private practice with confidence.

What Sets This Program Apart

 

  • CCHPBC-recognized program aligned with industry standards
  • Eligibility to write the PAN-CAN examinations for acupuncturists in BC
  • Gain over 420 hours of hands-on clinical practice in an on-site student clinic
  • Instructors with real-world industry experience
  • Career and employment support available for up to six months post-graduation
  • Supportive, student-focused learning environment

The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) recognizes this program.* For more information on registration requirements, please visit www.cchpbc.ca

*CCHPBC, 2026

Still have questions? Book a campus visit and talk with our Admissions team.

I not only learned a strong foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, but also gained hands-on clinical experience in acupuncture at the school’s clinic, which is a very rare and valuable opportunity.
 
— Karina, Acupuncture Graduate

The instructors were extremely knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely invested in student success. I learned a strong foundation of both theory and clinical practice, which really helped prepare me to confidently pass my board exams. 

— Genaya S., Acupuncture Graduate
I am grateful for the guidance, support, and dedication of the faculty and staff at Vancouver Career College, and I would highly recommend the Acupuncture Program to anyone who is serious about pursuing a career in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
— Dan M., Acupuncture Graduate
Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture Program FAQs

Acupuncture FAQs

Vancouver Career College is approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. For more information, visit the PTIRU site here.

Our campuses offer a variety of start dates, in some cases, every two weeks. To learn more about our upcoming start dates, please reach out to your campus of choice HERE

Our experienced Student Financial Planners can provide further details on program funding. Refer to the Financial Options webpage for more information.

Programs may be available in a variety of modalities. Please refer to the specific program page to learn more. If you have additional questions about learning online, please click HERE to learn more about admissions.

You can find our tuition listed HERE.

The length of this program is listed in the Program Overview section on this page. Have questions? Click here to connect with an Admissions Advisor.

Start Your Career in Acupuncture

For over 30 years, Vancouver Career College has delivered trusted career training. Explore how our programs can support your goals. Connect with an advisor today.

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