NLR 75/12 - Acupuncturists Regulations under the Health Professions Act

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 75/12 Acupuncturists Regulations under the Health Professions Act (Filed September 20, 2012) Under the authority of section 53 of the Health Professions Act, the Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Professionals, with the approval of the Minister of Health and Community Services, makes the following regulations. Dated at St. John's , September 20, 2012 June Hynes Co-Chairperson of the Council John Crellin Co-Chairperson of the Council Susan Sullivan Minister of Health and Community Services REGULATIONS Analysis 1. Short title 2. Definitions 3. Members register 4. Requirements for registration 5. General status 6. General temporary status 7. Non-practicing status 8. Conditions and restrictions 9. Continuing education 10. Registration renewal 11. Renewal requirements 12. Failure to renew registration 13. Registration after expiry 14. Designated titles 15. Notification of changes 16. Commencement Short title 1. These regulations may be cited as the Acupuncturists Regulations . 75/12 s1 Back to Top Definitions 2. In these regulations, (a) "acupuncture" means acupuncture based on traditional chinese medicine theory, assessment and treatment methods and involves an act of stimulation of specific sites on the skin, mucous membranes or subcutaneous tissues of the human body to promote, maintain, restore or improve health, to prevent a disorder, imbalance or disease or to alleviate pain, including through (i) the use of needles, mechanical, thermal, laser, magnetic or other stimulation of acupuncture points, (ii) the use of moxibustion, Jiu, and (iii) the use of suction cup, Ba Guan; (b) "acupuncturist" means a person who practices traditional chinese medicine through the use of acupuncture and who is registered under these regulations; (c) "applicant" means a person who applies to the registration committee for registration as an acupuncturist; (d) "college" means the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Newfoundland and Labrador established under the Act; (e) "continuing education" means a continuing education program developed by the college under paragraph 29(3)(b) of the Act; (f) "general status" means the status of a member who is registered under section 5 ; (g) "general temporary status" means the status of a member who is registered under section 6 ; (h) "member" means a member of the college; (i) "non-practicing status" means the status of a member who is registered under section 7 ; (j) "registration committee" means the committee established under subsection 19(1) of the Act; and (k) "traditional chinese medicine" means the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health and prevention of a disorder, imbalance or disease based on traditional chinese medicine theory, treatment principles and methodology. 75/12 s2 Back to Top Members register 3. (1) The register of health professionals maintained by the registrar shall have the following categories for the purpose of registration of members: (a) general status; (b) general temporary status; and (c) non-practicing status. (2) When a member's name has been added to the register, the registration committee shall issue a certificate of registration which shall be valid for the period of time set out on the certificate and which shall expire at the end of that period, unless renewed or extended in accordance with these regulations. (3) Upon each renewal of registration, the registration committee shall issue a certificate of registration to the member. 75/12 s3 Back to Top Requirements for registration 4. (1) An applicant shall comply with the following registration requirements: (a) submission of a completed application for registration in the form set by the registration committee; (b) payment of any required fees; and (c) provision of the following information as requested by the registration committee: (i) proof of identity by means of a valid photo identification card issued by the province or another government or other proof of identity acceptable to the registration committee, (ii) a current Certificate of Good Conduct from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Royal Canadian Mounted Police or other appropriate policing agency, (iii) a current Vulnerable Sector Check from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Royal Canadian Mounted Police or other appropriate policing agency, (iv) proof of completion of an acupuncture safety clean needle and technique program, (v) a written consent for release of information, (vi) a declaration stating (A) that the applicant has never been convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or a similar penal statute of another country, or (B) the details of his or her conviction under the Criminal Code ( Canada ), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act ( Canada ) or a similar penal statute of another country, (vii) proof of professional liability insurance of a type and in an amount acceptable to the council, except where an applicant is applying for registration as a member with a non-practicing status, and (viii) proof of a working knowledge of the English language that the registration committee considers sufficient to enable the person to practice acupuncture in the province. (2) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1), where an applicant is currently or was previously licensed or registered to practice acupuncture in another jurisdiction, the applicant shall provide a letter of good standing from the licensing or registration body of that jurisdiction which includes confirmation of whether or not the applicant is or has been the subject of investigative or disciplinary proceedings in the jurisdiction and the particulars of those investigative or disciplinary proceedings. (3) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1)(c)(viii), an applicant may be registered where he or she meets the other requirements of subsection (1) and agrees to comply with any condition or restriction that is attached by the registration committee to the registration and that, in the opinion of the registration committee, effectively addresses issues of inter-professional collaboration and continuity of care associated with the applicant's lack of a working knowledge of the English language. (4) In addition to the requirements of subsections (1) and (2), an applicant may be required by the registration committee to participate in an interview. 75/12 s4 Back to Top General status 5. (1) An applicant is entitled to be registered with a general status where he or she has (a) complied with the requirements of section 4 ; (b) provided proof of successful completion of a traditional chinese medicine program of study or of an acupuncture program of study based on traditional chinese medicine approved by the college within the 4 years immediately preceding the application; and (c) provided proof of successful completion of a registration exam approved by the college within 2 years following the date of completion of the program of study referred to in paragraph (b). (2) Notwithstanding the time periods referred to in subsection (1), where at least 4 years have elapsed between the submission of the application for registration and either the completion of a program of study referred to in paragraph (1)(b) or the completion of the registration exam referred to in paragraph (1)(c) or both, the applicant shall provide proof that he or she (a) has been employed for at least 750 hours in the practice of acupuncture within the 4 years immediately preceding the application; or (b) has completed an acupuncture refresher course or re-entry program that is approved by the college within the 4 years immediately preceding the application. 75/12 s5 Back to Top General temporary status 6. (1) An applicant who has not successfully completed the registration exam referred to in paragraph 5 (1)(c) is entitled to be registered with a general temporary status where he or she (a) has complied with the requirements of section 4 ; and (b) in the 4 years immediately preceding the application, has successfully completed a program of study referred to in paragraph 5 (1)(b). (2) The registration of a member with a general temporary status is valid for the period of time set by the registration committee and is not subject to renewal but may be extended by the registration committee. (3) A member registered with a general temporary status shall notify the registration committee of the date on which he or she is scheduled to write the registration exam referred to in paragraph 5 (1)(c). (4) When a member registered with a general temporary status passes the registration exam and continues to comply with the requirements of section 4 , he or she shall be registered (a) with a general status; or (b) where the member satisfies the registration committee that he or she does not intend to maintain an active practice of acupuncture in the province, with a non-practicing status. (5) When a member registered with a general temporary status does not pass the registration exam within the period of time set by the registration committee under subsection (2), his or her registration shall expire and may not be further extended. (6) A member registered with a general temporary status shall not practice acupuncture unless he or she is supervised, in a manner acceptable to the council, by a member registered with a general status whose registration is not subject to conditions or restrictions. 75/12 s6 Back to Top Non-practicing status 7. (1) An applicant is entitled to be registered as a member with a non-practicing status where he or she (a) complies with the requirements of section 5 ; and (b) satisfies the registration committee that he or she does not intend to maintain an active practice of acupuncture in the province. (2) A member who is registered with a non-practicing status is not required to carry professional liability insurance. (3) A member who is registered with a non-practicing status shall not engage in the practice of acupuncture. (4) A non-practicing registration shall expire on the date specified in the certificate of registration. (5) A member who is registered with a non-practicing status may, while that registration is in effect, make application to the registration committee to have his or her status changed to that of a member with a general status and he or she is entitled to be registered as a member with a general status where the following conditions are met: (a) the member pays any required fee; (b) the member provides proof of professional liability insurance of a type and in an amount acceptable to the council; (c) the member satisfies the continuing education requirements of subsection 9 (1); and (d) where registration as a member with a non-practicing status has been held for 12 consecutive months or longer, the member continues to meet the requirements of section 4 and the registration committee is satisfied that the applicant has the knowledge, skill and judgement necessary to be registered with a general status. 75/12 s7 Back to Top Conditions and restrictions 8. (1) The registration committee may attach those conditions or restrictions to a registration that the registration committee considers appropriate, including (a) placing limits on the activities the member may perform; and (b) setting requirements for supervision of the member which may include specifics on the form or duration of the supervision. (2) A member shall comply with all conditions and restrictions that are attached to his or her registration by the registration committee. 75/12 s8 Back to Top Continuing education 9. (1) A member shall participate in continuing education as directed by the council. (2) Where a member who is registered with a general status does not comply with subsection (1), the registration committee may require the member (a) to complete a program of continuing education within a specified period of time; or (b) to undergo a period of supervised practice. (3) Where a member who is registered with a non-practicing status does not comply with subsection (1), the registration committee may require the member to complete a program of continuing education within a specified period of time. 75/12 s9 Back to Top Registration renewal 10. (1) The registration committee shall advise each member who is registered with a general status or a non-practicing status of the expiry date of his or her registration and the renewal date applicable to that registration at the time of the initial registration and upon each renewal of that registration. (2) An application to renew a member's registration shall be made before the expiry date of the member's registration and as directed by the registration committee. 75/12 s10 Back to Top Renewal requirements 11. (1) A member who is registered with a general status or a non-practicing status is entitled, on application to the registration committee, to have his or her registration renewed under section 10 where he or she (a) provides a written consent for release of information as requested by the registration committee; (b) pays the required fees and, except in the case of a member applying for renewal of a non-practicing status, provides proof of professional liability insurance of a type and in an amount acceptable to the registration committee; (c) provides evidence of his or her participation in or completion of continuing education programs and professional development requirements as directed by the council; and (d) provides a declaration stating (i) that, within the past year, the member has not been convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or a similar penal statute of another country, or (ii) the details of his or her conviction, within the past year, under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or a similar penal statute of another country. (2) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1), where the member was, within the 12 months immediately preceding the application for renewal of registration, licensed or registered to practice acupuncture in another jurisdiction, the member shall provide a letter of good standing from the licensing or registration body of that jurisdiction which includes confirmation of whether or not the member is or has been the subject of investigative or disciplinary proceedings in the jurisdiction and the particulars of those investigative or disciplinary proceedings. (3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1), where a member who is registered with a non-practicing status applies to have his or her registration renewed as a member with a general status, he or she shall satisfy the requirements of subsection 7 (5). 75/12 s11 Back to Top Failure to renew registration 12. Where a member registered with a general status or a non-practicing status fails to renew his or her registration on or before the expiry date, his or her registration shall expire and the member's name shall be removed from the register. 75/12 s12 Back to Top Registration after expiry 13. A member who allows his or her registration to expire and whose name has been removed from the register under section 12 shall, for the purpose of a subsequent registration, meet the requirements imposed on a new applicant and comply with the applicable requirements of these regulations and with any conditions or restrictions attached to the registration by the registration committee under section 8 . 75/12 s13 Back to Top Designated titles 14. (1) Only a member who is registered with a general status shall be entitled to use the title "Acupuncturist" or "Registered Acupuncturist" or an associated derivation or abbreviation. (2) Only a member who is registered with a general temporary status shall be entitled to use the title "Acupuncturist - Temporary" or an associated derivation or abbreviation. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a member who is registered with a non-practicing status shall be entitled to use the title "Acupuncturist" or "Registered Acupuncturist" or an associated derivation or abbreviation and shall indicate in the title that he or she is non-practicing. 75/12 s14 Back to Top Notification of changes 15. A member shall notify the council immediately of a change in his or her (a) mailing address; or (b) employer. 75/12 s15 Back to Top Commencement 16. These regulations come into force on the day the Health Professions Act comes into force with respect to the designated health profession of acupuncturists. (In force Oct. 5/12) 75/12 s16