Frequently Asked Questions
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The Balance System of Acupuncture program is a professional development program for those already practicing acupuncture. If you have a license to practice acupuncture you may register for the upcoming prerequisites. License to practice applies to the jurisdiction you will be practicing in.
Entry to Level 1
License to Practice: Any health care practitioner with basic Acupuncture Foundational training, min 250 foundational training hours (e.g. organ and meridian pathways, acupoint locations, special points and categories, etc.) This includes allopathic medical physicians and naturopathic physicians, beyond registered Acupuncturists. You may register for Certificate program and also prerequisites and/or equivalency while waiting for entry approval.
Equivalency Exams are available to those who have training in the balance method. Please email soniatan@langara.ca to inquire about eligibility.
Other entry options consideration:
A student who has completed all required TCM course work (or Acupuncture schooling, minimum 250 hours), but has not yet written the exam to obtain their license to practice may take Level 1 and Level 2. Please email soniatan@langara.ca to inquire.
- The current intake schedule is posted on this website for the certificate, prerequisites and practical referesher.
- Dates for upcoming equivalency exams for which you can register are on this webpage under Courses
- A general summary of dates for future intakes beyond the current year can be found here
- Prerequisite courses (BSAP1101 & 1102) are $500 each.
- Certificate program (BSAP1103-1109) is $2800
- You may register for the prerequisites individually (each course is $500).
- There is an option to write an equivalency exam(s) if you have completed similar content prior. Fees for the equivalency exams are $175/exam, plus invigilation fee if taken offsite. Email soniatan@langara.ca if you believe you may qualify for this option.
- Students must register and pay at the same time for all courses in the certificate program. A 5% discount is available if paying the program fee prior to January 15, 2020.
- Download a registration form for assistance. When ready to register, please call 604.323.5322
- Exams will occur via an online format approximately two weeks after each Module.
- The exception is for Levels 7 and 8 as you will write a final exam at the end of the program that will cover content from those two modules as well.
- See posted schedule for dates and times
Follow these steps to inquire if you are eligible to write the equivalency test.
(1) To have your academic qualification assessed*, apply by email to the instructor Dr. Sonia Tan, soniatan@langara.ca, with your proof of equivalent course completion,
(2) If approved, call the registration office at 604-323-5322 to register for the date/time/level of your approved equivalency exam. This may include the ability to take the test offsite, via an invigilation centre, depending on technical availability in your area. Please make note of the dates of the equivalency tests, and apply a minimum 2 weeks prior to the date. Current dates may be found here.
Rewrites are only provided to those students who have received a minimum 55% grade on their final exam. Rewrites or reschedules require instructor and program coordinator approval.
Follow these steps to inquire if you are eligible to obtain a rewrite if you have failed an exam, or you are unable to attend the scheduled date of the exam.
(1) Email the instructor Dr. Sonia Tan, soniatan@langara.ca, with the reason you would like a rewrite or a reschedule.
(2) If approved, call the registration office at 604-323-5322 to register for the date/time/level of your approved exam. This may include the ability to take the test offsite via an invigilation centre, depending on technical availability in your area. Please ensure you provide sufficient time to registere and organize these exams. It is preferred to have a minimum 2 weeks lead time prior to the date. Please note that exam fees are associated with any approved rewrite.
Note there are fees associated with rewrites or reschedules ($60-$100 depending on the time of the exam). If you are using an offsite invigilator, there will likely be associated fees for their services as well.
If you have missed the Langara Level 1 and/or Level 2 courses, there are options for students who which to join the next certificate cohort which typically begins in May. The steps are:
- For the 2 pre-requisite courses, you can access the recorded webinar here: https://www.netofknowledge.com/ Search for Dr. Sonia Tan and the 2 courses should come up. Please note you will not have instructor interaction or feedback in this option as you would in the Langara courses which occur in a classroom setting, or instructor led online (during COVID)
- Next you would need to write the equivalency tests available through Langara College. In 2021 the date options for this are March 21 and May 2. It is possible to do step C before step B.
- You will need to attend the Practical Refresher and Assesment course (in 2021 this is April 25) where you will do hands on work, demos, cases and anchor the learning of the 2 pre-requisites. If you feel you need more time before your equivalency exam, you may take this option and then step B.
Dates and times for Steps B and C can be found here:
https://langara.ca/continuing-studies/programs-and-courses/programs/acupuncture/courses.html