I was a practising traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor in China before moving my practice to Canada; can I still use the “doctor” title in Ontario?
At this time, practitioners of TCM cannot use the “doctor” title, a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language when providing or offering to provide health care in Ontario. Currently, under section 33 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), no one is allowed to use the title “doctor”, its variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language when providing or offering to provide health care in Ontario, unless he/she is a member of: the College of Chiropractors of Ontario; the College of Optometrists of Ontario; the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario; the College of Psychologists of Ontario; or the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. A person who breaches section 33 may be prosecuted in the Provincial Offences Act Court. If the person is convicted, he/she is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 for a first offence and not more than $50,000 for a second or subsequent offence. However, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act
