Chinese medicine in a rented treatment room

Adults dealing with pain, stress, sleep problems or general wellbeing, who pay you directly. Some may claim part of the cost through their extended health benefits.

A fee per session, usually higher for the first visit, plus herbal formulas or treatment packages where your regulator allows it. Your main cost is room rent, which you can scale up as your client list grows.

• Recognized training in acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine
• Calm, caring manner with clients
• Clear record keeping
• Basic marketing and word of mouth

• Registration with the provincial regulator is often needed to practise or use titles like acupuncturist or TCM practitioner, so check before you advertise
• Professional liability and commercial general liability insurance, and whether your landlord's cover applies to you
• Rules on selling or prescribing herbal products, and Health Canada requirements for natural health products
• Sterile needle handling and waste disposal rules set by your regulator and local public health
• Whether GST/HST applies to your services, check with the Canada Revenue Agency
• Quebec has its own regulator and French-language requirements

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your equipment, supplies, insurance and how you arrange your room rental. Treat this as an estimate and price your own setup before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many hours you work and how quickly you build your own client list. These are estimates, not guarantees, so plan for a gradual start.

Check whether registration with your provincial regulator is needed to practise or use titles like acupuncturist, before you advertise. Also check professional liability insurance, rules on herbal products and Health Canada natural health product requirements, and needle handling rules. Quebec has its own regulator.