CMBA regulatory examinations

Some individuals will be required to complete the CMBA regulatory examinations prior to the Board deciding an application for registration. The Board uses the regulatory examinations to assess whether each candidate has the knowledge, clinical skills and professional attributes needed to safely and competently practise as an acupuncturist and/or Chinese herbal medicine practitioner in Australia. 

The Board may also require an individual to undertake an examination or assessment under the National Law when recency of practice or performance matters raise concerns about their competence to practise. 

The CMBA regulatory examinations comprise a written examination (computer-based) consisting of scenario-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Candidates must successfully pass the MCQ examination to be eligible to do the OSCE. More information is available in the CMBA regulatory examination resources below, and on Sitting the MCQ examination, and Sitting the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) .

Eligible candidates can sit the MCQ examination at the MCQ examination centres that are open in Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Israel, Indonesia or Hong Kong. Some MCQ examination centres may be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The latest information about MCQ examination testing centre closures can be accessed on the locations page. 

The OSCE will only be available in Australia. 

The examinations are based on the Professional capabilities for Chinese medicine practitioners, which describe the entry level professional capability for acupuncturists and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners in Australia.  

Questions or queries about the CMBA regulatory examinations should be directed to: cmbaregulatoryexam@ahpra.gov.au 

Examination resources

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MCQ examination?

Examination portal