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Q1. How can I practise as an acupuncturist or a TCM practitioner in Singapore?
A1. To practise as an acupuncturist in Singapore, you must be a registered TCM practitioner with TCMPB. If you are a registered medical practitioner with the Singapore Medical Council or a registered dentist with the Singapore Dental Council, you must complete acupuncture training courses which are recognised by TCMPB
and pass the Singapore Acupuncturist Registration Examination (SARE) before you can be registered as an acupuncturist.
To practise as a TCM practitioner in Singapore, you must fulfil the following 3 components of the
registration requirements:
a) Academic qualification
b) Practice experience
c) Registration examination
Please visit our TCMPB’s website for the details of the registration requirements.
Please note that satisfaction of the general criteria for registration
does not guarantee approval. Every application for registration will be considered by TCMPB, based on its own merits and subject to TCMPB’s prevailing requirements that may change from
time to time.
Q2. How can I apply to sit for the Singapore TCM Physician Registration Examination (STRE)?
A2. You must meet the academic qualification and practice experience requirements before you are allowed to take the STRE.
Q3. How frequent does TCMPB conduct STRE?
A3. TCMPB conducts STRE once a year. Eligible candidates will be informed on the dates in advance.
Q4. I have satisfied all the prevailing registration requirements. What type of registration am I eligible for? And how do I apply for registration with TCMPB?
A4. You will be eligible to apply for conditional registration.
You may login to the Professional Registration System (PRS)
here and submit an online application for registration if
a) you have completed and obtained a recognised TCM qualification in Singapore (including an NTU double degree course); or
b) you are a Singaporean who have completed and obtained a recognised overseas basic TCM qualification.
If you are a Singapore Permanent Resident or foreigner who have completed and obtained a recognised overseas basic TCM qualification, your local prospective employer has to submit an online application for registration on your behalf.
The application fee is S$300 (non-refundable) and is payable online via credit card.
If you have been previously registered with TCMPB, please login using your old TCMPB registration number for re-registration.
If you have never been registered with TCMPB, please click on “Pre-Application NEW APPLICANT LOGIN” and answer the requisite questions to allow the system to generate a temporary User ID and password for you to login to PRS.
The current system software works best with Internet Explorer.
Please click
here for details on the application process and supporting documents required for registration for new applicants.
Q5. How long will it take to process my application? How will I be notified on the outcome of my application?
A5. The average processing time for an application is four (4) weeks, provided that the documentation is complete and in order. Longer processing time is expected if TCMPB requires more time to review a complex case, or when TCMPB is experiencing peak periods.
You will be notified via an email through the PRS. If your application is successful, we will also advise you on how to complete the registration process.
Please note that you are not allowed to commence your practice in Singapore until you have been issued a valid registration certificate and practising certificate.
Q6. What are the conditions imposed on my conditional registration?
A6. Your conditional registration is valid for a period of one (1) year only and subject to the following conditions:
a) You have a valid employment with your local employer.
b) You are only allowed to practise TCM at the approved place of practice(s), under the supervision of TCMPB-approved supervising TCM practitioner(s).
Q7. As a conditional registrant, am I allowed to change employer and/or place of practice?
A7. TCMPB’s approval must be sought before you are allowed to change employer and/or place of practice.
Your prospective employer (if there is a change in employer) or your current employer (if there is a change in place of practice) must submit a fresh application via the PRS on your behalf, together with a copy of the offer of employment issued by the prospective employer or current employer (whichever is applicable). Please note that there is an online payment required for the prescribed fees for the application, registration and practising certificate.
As part of the application review, TCMPB must also receive the latest assessment report on your performance, completed by your approved supervising TCM practitioner. As such, it is your responsibility to inform your current employer to submit the latest assessment report to TCMPB directly via email, under ‘Confidential Cover’.
The average processing time is 4 weeks, provided that the documentation is complete and in order. Longer processing time is expected if TCMPB requires more time to review a complex case, or when TCMPB is experiencing peak periods.
You will receive an email notification from TCMPB about the outcome of your application. If your application is successful, we will also advise you on how to complete the change of employer and/or change of place of practice process.
Q8. Can I renew my conditional registration? If so, how do I renew it?
A8. Renewal of conditional registration will only be considered through an online application and is subject to the approval of TCMPB. A fresh application for registration must be submitted via the PRS. There is an application fee of S$300 (non-refundable) and is payable online via credit card.
Please submit the online application at least one (1) month before the expiry date of your conditional registration, together with an application fee of S$300 (non-refundable) and copies of the supporting documents as proof of fulfilment of conditions as required by TCMPB.
As part of the application review, TCMPB must also receive the latest assessment report on your performance, completed by your approved supervising TCM practitioner. As such, it is your responsibility to inform your current employer to submit the latest assessment report to TCMPB directly via email, under ‘Confidential Cover’.
You will receive an email notification from TCMPB about the outcome of your application. If your application is successful, we will also advise you on how to complete the renewal of conditional registration process. If you do not receive an email notification from TCMPB that the application has been approved one week before the expiry of your current conditional registration, please email to TCMPB at
TCMPB@spb.gov.sg to check on the application status.
Q9. When can I apply for full registration? And how do I apply for it?
A9. If you are a Singapore Citizen, you must have completed at least one (1) year of supervised practice under conditional registration.
If you are a Singapore Permanent Resident or a foreigner, you must have completed at least three (3) years of supervised practice under conditional registration.
You may login to the Professional Registration System (PRS)
here and submit an online application for registration, together with a copy of certification from your current employer to support the application. The application fee is S$300 (non-refundable) and is payable online via credit card.
As part of the application review, TCMPB must also receive the latest assessment report on your performance, completed by your approved supervising TCM practitioner. As such, it is your responsibility to inform your current employer to submit the latest assessment report to TCMPB directly via email, under ‘Confidential Cover’.
The average processing time is four (4) weeks, provided that the documentation is complete and in order. Longer processing time is expected if TCMPB requires more time to review a complex case, or when TCMPB is experiencing peak periods.
You will receive an email notification from TCMPB about the outcome of your application. If your application is successful, we will also advise you on how to complete the full registration process.