Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria Examination

46 Pages·2007·0.14 MB·English

by  Vanessa Williams

Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria

Examination Guidelines
for Applicants for Registration
under Section 5(1)(c) of the
Health Professions Registration Act 2005

First Issued July 2005
Revised August 2006
Updated 1 July 2007
Table of Contents

1.0 Background ____________________________________________________________________3
1.1 The Board’s Power to Require Practitioners Sit an Examination ___________________________3
1.2. Eligibility to Sit Examination/s ____________________________________________________3
1.3 Application Process _____________________________________________________________3
2.0 Structure and Content of Examinations _______________________________________________4
2.1 Introduction____________________________________________________________________4
2.2 Written Examination _____________________________________________________________4
3.0 Format of Examinations___________________________________________________________6
3.1 Format of Written Examinations ____________________________________________________6
3.2 Translation of Written Examinations into Chinese ______________________________________6
3.3 Format and Content of Practical, Clinical Examinations__________________________________6
4.0 Administration of Examinations _____________________________________________________7
4.1 Administrative Process for Applying for Board Examinations______________________________7
4.2 Pass Rates and Supplementary Examinations_________________________________________7
4.3 Conduct and Supervision of Examinations____________________________________________8
4.4 Attending and Sitting Examinations _________________________________________________8
4.5 What Happens if I Do Not Pass the Examination/s?_____________________________________8
5.0 Notification of Examination Results __________________________________________________9
6.0 References ____________________________________________________________________9
Appendix 1: Areas of Study and Synopses _______________________________________________10
Appendix 2: Sample Examination Paper Format___________________________________________29
Appendix 3: Aseptic Technique ________________________________________________________29
Appendix 4: Sample Case Report Format________________________________________________30
Appendix 5: Recommended Reading Texts_______________________________________________33
Appendix 6: Examination Fee Schedules ________________________________________________35
Appendix 7: Contact Details: Assessment of Overseas Qualifications ____________________________36
Appendix 8: List of 450 Chinese Materia Medicae__________________________________________37
Appendix 9: List of Commonly Used Formulae ____________________________________________45
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1.0 Background

1.1 The Board’s Power to Require Practitioners Sit an Examination

The main purpose of the Health Professions Registration Act 2005 (the Act) is to protect the public
by providing for the registration of health practitioners including practitioners of Chinese medicine
(both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine) and dispensers of Chinese herbs, as well as by
providing for investigations into the professional conduct and fitness to practise of registered
practitioners.

In November 2002, the Chinese Medicine Registration Board (the Board or CMRB) issued
Examination Guidelines for Applicants for Registration Under Section 94 (1)(c) of the Chinese
Medicine Registration Act 2000. These guidelines were developed for applicants who applied for
registration but for whom an examination was necessary to assist the Board’s decision to grant or
refuse registration during the grandparenting period. The grandparenting period, which applied
from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004, was covered by the transitional provisions of the
Chinese Medicine Registration Act 2000. These guidelines have now been superseded as the
grandparenting period has expired.

From 1 January 2005, the Board was empowered to require a person, who has not satisfied
requirements stipulated in Sections 5 (1) (a), (b) or (d), to pass an examination set by, or on behalf,
of the Board before the Board grants that person general registration. The examination is set to
assess competence to practise, before registration may be granted.

These guidelines have been prepared to assist practitioners who wish to gain registration by sitting
an examination as per Section 5(c) of the Act. The guidelines cover examinations for the purpose
of registration in the Divisions of Acupuncture and/or Chinese Herbal Medicine only.

1.2. Eligibility to Sit Examination/s

To be eligible to sit the exam/s, the applicant must possess a minimum qualification of an
Advanced Diploma in Chinese Medicine either:
• accredited1 under the Australian Qualifications Framework; or
• recognised as the equivalent by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition
(NOOSR – see Appendix 7 for details); and
• that includes sufficient study in Chinese medicine, biomedical sciences and supervised
clinical training.2

Examination candidates who pass the examinations within the timeframe set by the Board, will be
eligible to be granted registration as acupuncturists and/or Chinese herbal medicine practitioners
subject to the common requirements for all applicants as stipulated in Section 6 (2) of the Act.

1.3 Application Process

All applicants are required to submit the appropriate application form which is obtained from the
Board. It must be accompanied by the application fee and a recent passport size photograph.

Once the applicant is confirmed to attend on the specified exam dates, photo identification will also
be required on the day of the exam.

1 The term ‘accredited’ in this context refers to the process of course assessment and approval conducted by
an Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory educational authority.
2 The Board reserves the right to reject an examination application if it deems the Chinese medicine
qualification to be inadequate.
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2.0 Structure and Content of Examinations

2.1 Introduction

The Board has the statutory responsibility to assess applications for registration in the Divisions of
Acupuncturists, Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioners and Chinese Herbal Dispensers. From 1
January 2005, the Board will now register persons who have completed an approved course3 or
have successfully completed both written examination/s and practical, clinical examination/s set by
the Board.

2.2 Written Examination

The examination eligibility criteria preclude the necessity for testing basic knowledge. The
examination questions will be targeted at advanced levels of Chinese medicine and biomedical
knowledge. The examination questions will be clinically focused. Examinations will be organised
based on the Divisions of the Register of Chinese Medicine Practitioners,4 that is acupuncture
and/or Chinese herbal medicine examination/s will be conducted separately. Each will cover:

Area Approximate
Balance/Weighting
Biomedical Sciences 30%
Acupuncture Theory & Practice 45%
OR
Herbal Theory & Practice
AND
Classical Literature, Clinical Differential Diagnosis
and Treatment (including internal medicine,
gynaecology, paediatrics, dermatology and
traumatology)
Safety and Ethics (including surface anatomy, 15%
asepsis for acupuncture OR pharmacology and
toxicology for Chinese herbal medicine)
Australian Healthcare Context 10%

Appendix 1 sets out the ‘core’ areas of study that may be covered in the written examinations. Note
that ‘recommended’ areas of studies will not be included in either written or clinical examinations.
Appendix 1 also contains a synopsis and graduate outcomes for each of the topic areas that may be
included in the written and clinical examinations - these relate to safe and effective acupuncture and/or
Chinese herbal medicine practice. This information has been extracted from the Course Approval
Guidelines5 published by the Board as a guide for educational institutions providing qualifying courses
in acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine.

2.2.1 Principles and Diagnosis of Chinese Medicine

3 For details of currently approved courses see: www.cmrb.vic.gov.au/registration/approvedcourses.html
4 As per the Health Professions Registration Act 2005.
5 Guidelines for the Approval of Courses of Study in Chinese Medicine as a Qualification for Registration,
CMRB, August 2002.
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As all applicants must have met the eligibility criteria for the examinations, the examination
questions (in both papers) will be clinically focussed, and basic theories will be tested in an
integrated manner. This will typically cover the following areas:
• acupuncture theory and practice and/or herbal theory and practice; and
• diagnosis of Chinese medicine (including methods of syndrome differentiation) will be
covered under clinical theory questions in areas such as internal medicine and
gynaecology, and may also be examined in relation to point theory or herbal prescribing.

2.2.2 Theory and Practice - Acupuncture and/or Chinese Herbal Medicine

The written examination for acupuncture theory and practice will typically cover:
• meridians and acupuncture point theory;
• needling theory and practice;
• moxibustion theory and practice;
• acupuncture microsystems (ear and scalp acupuncture); and
• clinical practice of acupuncture in internal medicine, gynaecology and obstetrics,
paediatrics, traumatology and dermatology.

The written examination for Chinese herbal medicine will typically cover:
• Chinese materia medica (see Appendix 8 - List of 450 Chinese Materia Medica);
• Chinese medicinal formulae (see Appendix 9 - List of Commonly Used Formulae); and
• Clinical medicine areas including Chinese internal medicine, gynaecology and obstetrics,
paediatrics, traumatology and dermatology.

2.2.3 Classical Literature

• For acupuncture applicants this will include Huang Di Nei Jing with a focus on acupuncture
related theories; and
• for Chinese herbal medicine applicants this will include Shang Han Lun and Wen Bing Xue.

Applicants applying for both Divisions of the Register will need to complete both of these sections
(in the respective papers).

2.2.4 Biomedical Sciences

As all applicants have met the eligibility criteria for the examinations, the examination questions will
be clinically focussed and anatomy knowledge will be tested in clinical questions such as point
location, pathophysiology and clinical cases. Biomedical sciences questions will be incorporated in
both examinations and will typically cover the following areas:
• cell biology;
• biochemistry and molecular biology;
• anatomy;
• physiology;
• microbiology;
• pathology;
• diagnosis in western medicine;
• radiology and imaging;
• laboratory diagnosis; and
• clinical biomedicine.

For acupuncture candidates, questions on surface anatomy and infection control and clean
needling technique will also be included. For Chinese herbal medicine candidates, questions on
pharmacology and toxicology will also be included.

Recommended reference texts are provided for each area in Appendix 2.
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3.0 Format of Examinations

3.1 Format of Written Examinations

Separate written examinations will be conducted for acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Each examination is three hours duration, and will consist of 300 multiple-choice questions (MCQ)
incorporating relevant biomedical sciences, diagnosis and clinical theories of Chinese medicine
studies, and modality specific subject areas.

Each examination candidate will be supplied with examination papers consisting of a question paper
and a corresponding answer sheet. The candidate must mark the ONE most correct answer on the
answer sheet. Care should be taken to ensure that the number of the answer corresponds to the
question with the same number. Candidates will not be penalised for wrong answers. If more than
one answer is selected no marks will be gained for that question.

A sample is included in Appendix 2.

3.2 Translation of Written Examinations into Chinese

It is possible for the Chinese Medicine section only (i.e. 45% of the theory examination) to be
translated into Chinese if the applicant is willing to meet the cost of this translation. The cost will
be based on a quotation obtained by the Registrar and can be shared with more than one applicant
if more than one person is willing.

3.3 Format and Content of Practical, Clinical Examinations

The clinical examinations for acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine will be conducted in a
clinical setting (which will be simulated if necessary). Separate assessments for acupuncture and
Chinese herbal medicine will be conducted.

The examination is expected to take a total of two hours and will include two separate case
studies. Real patients will be provided. These may come from any, or a combination, of the
following clinical areas: internal medicine, gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatrics, traumatology
and dermatology. The examination will also involve a skills assessment.

The acupuncture clinical skills assessment will include:
• history taking and physical examination;
• accuracy of diagnosis;
• patient management skills;
• demonstration of aseptic technique, including hand-washing, preparation of workspace,
opening packets and disposal of needles (simulated if necessary) (see Appendix 3 for
details of appropriate aseptic technique);
• case analysis and treatment detail planning;
• performance of point location and needling (on a model under close supervision of the
examiners); and
• submission of a one-page case report (See Appendix 4 for a sample format).

The Chinese herbal medicine cases will also require the examination candidate to write a herbal
prescription. The Chinese herbal medicine clinical skills assessment will include:
• history taking and physical examination;
• case analysis and differential diagnosis;
• accuracy of diagnosis;
• design of individualised herbal medicine prescriptions and details of administration of the
herbal medicine;
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• herb identification;
• dispensing;
• instructions to patient (e.g. how to prepare and take a herbal decoction); and
• submission of a one-page case report (See Appendix 4 for sample format).

Recommended reference texts are provided for each area in Appendix 5.

4.0 Administration of Examinations

4.1 Administrative Process for Applying for Board Examinations

Registration applicants who cannot meet the requirements set in Section 5(1)(a) 6, (b) or (d) for the
Division of Acupuncture or Chinese Herbal Medicine may apply to the Board to sit the
examinations as per section 5(1)(c) of the Act.

The ‘General Registration Application Form’ includes an application for examinations (Part C). A
non-refundable application fee of $50 is required.

If deemed eligible, the applicant will be provided with these guidelines (which are also available in
Chinese) and advised of the next scheduled date, times and venue for examinations.

The fee arrangements are that a booking fee must be paid by a prescribed date and the balance of
the examination fee paid by a later prescribed date. Cancellation rules and fees also apply (see
Appendix 6).

Those who apply for both the Divisions of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, will need to
sit two written examinations (acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine), followed by a combined
clinical examination (acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine). In other words, they will need to
sit a total of three examinations.

Generally, acupuncture exams will be conducted in the mornings and Chinese herbal medicine
examinations will be conducted in the afternoons.

Candidates who have not completed the written examinations will not be eligible to take the clinical
practical examination/s.

4.2 Pass Rates and Supplementary Examinations

The pass rate for the written papers is 50% and for practical clinical examination it is 70%.

Those who fail the written examinations, but have achieved a score of over 45%, may be offered a
supplementary examination.

Those who fail the practical clinical examination, but have achieved a score of over 65%, may be
offered a supplementary examination.

Supplementary examinations are discretionary and are conducted within three weeks of the
examinations. A fee will be charged for a supplementary examination and will be set on a cost-
recovery basis.

If a candidate performs poorly in an area related to public safety, despite an overall pass, the
Board reserves the right to offer conditional registration.

6 The Board’s Policy on s5(1)(a)Equivalence is accessible at
http://www.cmrb.vic.gov.au/registration/Policys5(1)(a)Equivalence010707.pdf
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4.3 Conduct and Supervision of Examinations

Language
The examinations are conducted in English unless the applicant pays for the Chinese medicine section
to be translated (see section 3.2). Non-medical dictionaries will be permitted if a request is submitted
to the Board one week prior to the examination date, and if the dictionary is examined by the
examination supervisor prior to commencement of the examination. If notes are written on the non-
medical dictionary, or additional pages are inserted into the dictionary, this will not be allowed in the
examination room. If requested, an extra 45 minutes may be granted to the candidates for whom
English is not their first language.

Supervision of Exams
The supervision of both the written exams and the practical clinical exams is the responsibility of
the Registrar (or delegate) and a nominated practitioner member of the Board.

Contact with Examiners
It is forbidden for examination candidates to inappropriately contact any of examiners or exam
supervisors (except for the Registrar or her Personal Assistant), or to in any way attempt to
influence the examiners in the official conduct of their duties.

4.4 Attending and Sitting Examinations

The following conditions will apply:
• candidates are required to arrive at the examination room at least 15 minutes prior to the
examination commencement time;
• candidates must produce at least one photo ID with a confirmation letter from the Board;
• no food or drinks, other than that provided by the Board, will be allowed in the examination
room;
• candidates will be allowed to ask questions during the reading time, which is the first 15
minutes of the examination;
• no writing will be permitted during the reading time;
• no text book, printed material or electronic device (other than pre-approved electronic
dictionaries) will be allowed in the examination;
• approval for the use of non-medical dictionaries (see 4.3) should be obtained at least one
week before the exam date and these must be checked by the exam supervisors; and
• candidates who arrive late for their scheduled examination time (15 minutes or more after the
examination commencement time) will forfeit their examination booking. These applicants will
be required to re-apply for the examination and will be liable again for all fees involved.

4.5 What Happens if I Do Not Pass the Examination/s?

See also 4.2. Those who fail the written examinations but have achieved a score of over 45% may
be offered a supplementary examination (which will be different to the first examination). Those
who fail the practical clinical examination but have achieved a score of over 65% may be offered a
supplementary examination.

The maximum number of times candidates may sit for the examination in one round is two, that is,
one examination plus one supplementary examination. A fee will be charged for a supplementary
examination and will be set on a cost-recovery basis. This does not preclude a candidate from
applying again for the next bi-annual examination round.

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5.0 Notification of Examination Results

The Board will inform all candidates of their examination results, in writing, as soon as possible
after the examination dates. The results will be forwarded to the Board at its next monthly meeting.

Once the examination results are finalised, the Board will advise you of your eligibility to apply for
general registration.

6.0 References

• Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association, Guidelines for Applicants
Accreditation Examination in Acupuncture, 1998.
• The Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand, Candidate Guide for Competency-based
Assessment for Entry to the Profession of Optometry in Australia and New Zealand, April 2000.
• The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, Examination Guidelines and Format of
Examinations, January 2002.
• The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, Examination Manual for Chinese Medicine
Practitioner Registration – 2005, October 2004.
• Ministry of Health, Singapore, Examination Syllabi for CAQE & Information for Candidate TCM,
2004.
• The Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria, Guidelines for Approval of Courses of
Study in Chinese Medicine as a Qualification for Registration, August 2002.
• The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, Manual for Chinese Medicine Licensing
Examinations, 2005.
• The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in the United States
of America, National Certification Acupuncture Candidates Handbook, 1999.
• Section 5 of the Victorian Health Professions Registration Act 2005.
• Section 5 of the Victorian Chinese Medicine Registration Act 2000.
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Appendix 1: Areas of Study and Synopses

The following table summarises the areas of study for various subjects. More detailed outlines are
then included in the synopses section that follows.

Area of Study Acupuncture Chinese Comments
Herbal
Medicine
Chinese Medicine Subjects:

Terminology for X X
Chinese medicine
Diagnosis in CM X X Includes the Four Methods and
syndrome differentiation.
Channel theory X X Fundamentals of channel theory
required for herbal medicine.
Acupuncture point X 400 points to be studied.
theory
Needling theory & X
practice
Moxibustion theory & X
practice
Acupuncture micro- X Points additional to the above 400 need
systems: ear & scalp to be studied.
Materia medica of X 450 medicinal substances to be
Chinese medicine studied.
Chinese medicinal X A minimum of 120 commonly used
formulae formulae to be studied.
Dispensing Chinese X
medicinal substances
Huang Di Nei Jing X X Focus on sections of Su Wen and Ling
Shu that are relevant to the course of
study.
Shang Han Lun X
Wen Bing Xue X
CM internal medicine X X
CM gynaecology X X
CM paediatrics X X
CM traumatology X X Commonly encountered conditions
should be included.
CM dermatology X X
CM health preservation X X
& enhancement
Supervised clinical X X Dispensing to be included for herbal
practice medicine.
Clinical internship X X May include an overseas component.
Biomedical Sciences Subjects:

Cell biology X X
Biochemistry/molecular X X
biology
Anatomy X X
Physiology X X
Microbiology X X
Pathology X X
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