• Patient Choice
  
  
• Regulatory Framework
  
  
• Registration
  
  
• Use of Title
  
  
• Information for Students and Prospective Students
  
  

Patient Choice

1. How will regulation improve the public's access to the homeopathy of their choice?

The transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario (TC-CHO) is setting requirements for entry to the profession. The TC-CHO is responsible for registering homeopaths, setting standards of practice and guidelines for professional practice, monitoring homeopaths competence through a quality assurance program, investigating complaints and reports against homeopaths and disciplining those registrants who have committed acts of professional misconduct or who are incompetent or incapacitated. These processes protect the public interest.

The public will have access to a full public register of homeopaths in the province of Ontario including the name, business address and business telephone number of any homeopath and every homeopathic corporation. The public register will also include any terms, conditions and limitations affecting a individual homeopath's ability to practice and the results of any disciplinary or incapacity proceedings. This process ensures public confidence that homeopaths meet the required education, training and competency standards, and keeps them safe from harm. The regulatory framework also provides the public with a mechanism for complaints and resolution if they are not satisfied with their care.

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Regulatory Framework

1. What is the transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario (TC-CHO)?

It is NOT an educational institution or an advocacy association.

Under the Ontario law, the TC-CHO will set up the process to regulate the profession of homeopathy, in the public interest. Once the process is put in place it is the ONLY organization that assesses applicants and determines who is qualified to practise homeopathy in Ontario.

Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), any organization that falsely holds itself out as a body that regulates individuals in homeopathic practise would be liable to a fine of not more than $50,000 for a first offence and not more than $200,000 for a second or subsequent offence. This includes organizations claiming to assess and/or certify individuals' competencies for the purpose of practising homeopathy in Ontario.

2. What does the Homeopathy Act, 2007 do?

The Homeopathy Act, 2007 establishes the College of Homeopaths of Ontario that will be responsible for governing the profession to ensure the public is protected and the public interest is served.

It sets out:

• The scope of practice of homeopathy is defined as "...the assessment of body system disorders and treatment using homeopathic techniques to promote, maintain or restore health";
  
• Title protection authorizing only registrants to use the title "homeopath", a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language;
  
• The composition of the Council;

And it empowers:

• Appointment of the transitional Council and Registrar by the Lieutenant Governor in Council;
  
• The transitional Council and Registrar to do anything that is necessary to implement the Homeopathy Act, 2007 and the RHPA.

3. Now that the Homeopathy Act, 2007 has received Royal Assent, can I claim to be a regulated health professional?

No. A practitioner can only make that claim once they are registered with transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario.  

4. What is the role of the transitional Council?

During the transitional period, the transitional Council is responsible for establishing the College of Homeopaths of Ontario. It also exercises the powers of a council of a health regulatory college. It carries out the statutory objectives of a college to serve and protect the public interest as set out in the Homeopathy Act, 2007, the RHPA, 1991 and the Health Professions Procedural Code. It will:

• Establish an accountability agreement with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC);
• Establish, in collaboration with the Registrar, administrative processes and the infrastructure necessary for the College to operate;
• Develop by-laws, professional ethics, policies and guidelines;
• Develop competencies and practice standards, and registration, professional misconduct, and quality assurance regulations;
• Develop processes to assess and register applicants;
• Develop processes to handle complaints and the discipline of registrants;
• Develop communication programs to reach the profession, public and other stakeholders.

5. Who sits on the transitional Council?

The appointees to the transitional Council, both public and professional, are made by the Ontario Government, or more specifically, by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, with the process itself being administered by the Public Appointments Secretariat, an agent of the Ontario Government. The current transitional Council is comprised of eight homeopathic professionals and six public appointees.

Selection of an individual for appointment to the transitional Council is based on the person's expertise, knowledge and experience. The individual may have clinical or academic expertise in the practice of homeopathy, health professional regulation, and health or public administration sector. Persons with a demonstrated interest or experience in public service may also be appointed. Each is expected to serve in his/her individual capacity rather than as a representative of any organization or any interest/advocacy group to which they may belong. Appointments may be for a one or two year term. Individuals may be reappointed.

The transitional Council is time limited. It exists until it has developed a framework to permit the College to fully undertake its regulatory functions. At that time the transitional Council will cease to exist and the regular Council of the College will be established. The new Council will be comprised of up to nine professionals elected from the College membership by the registrants themselves. There will also be up to eight public appointees.

6. What is the role of the Registrar?

The Registrar is the chief operating officer and administrator of the TC-CHO, reporting to the transitional Council and the MOHLTC and supporting the transitional Council in developing and implementing policies, bylaws and regulations governing the practice of homeopathy. The Registrar is also responsible for the day-to-day operations and has statutory duties under the RHPA, 1991.

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Registration

1. When do I need to register with the TC-CHO?

Homeopathic practitioners must register with TC-CHO when the Homeopathy Act, 2007 is in full force. While the full force of the Homeopathy Act, 2007 is anticipated to take place in 2014, the transitional Council will begin accepting applications in late 2013.

Once the College of Homeopaths of Ontario and the Homeopathy Act, 2007 are in full force, a person cannot call him or her self a homeopath, advertise as such, and/or hold them self out as a homeopath, unless registered.

Please take note that current HOMEOPATHY business practices will change once regulation occurs and the Homeopathy Act, 2007 comes into full force. The TC-CHO will work with homeopaths and other stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition. Practitioners are encouraged to pay close attention to the activities announced on the TC-CHO website to prepare for eventual registration. Please sign up for our "Information Alert Service" to help keep up-to-date on important registration information.

2. How do I register with TC-CHO?

The transitional Council will advise practitioners of the qualifications, competencies, procedures, categories, fees, documentation and other requirements necessary for registration application in late 2013. TC-CHO is working to make sure that the registration process is fair and efficient.

3. Will there be a full-time and part-time registration fee?

The transitional Council will consider and determine which classes and fees are appropriate.

4. What will happen if I do not register with TC-CHO?

Once the College of Homeopaths of Ontario and the Homeopathy Act, 2007 are in full force, a person cannot call him or her self a homeopath, advertise as such, and/or hold them self out as a homeopath, unless registered. To do otherwise will be illegal. Anyone found guilty could face a fine of not more than $25,000 for a first offence and up to $50,000 for subsequent offenses. One could also be imprisoned for one year, or be fined and imprisoned. These offense provisions are set out in the RHPA and are common to all regulated health professions.

Further, any person using the title "homeopath", a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language while not being registered with the College, or who claim to be a "Doctor" of homeopathy, could face a fine of up to $25,000 for a first offense and up to $50,000 for subsequent offenses.

5. Does membership in an association or organization mean automatic registration with TC-CHO?

NO, membership to an association will NOT mean automatic registration with TC-CHO. Registration is based on whether an individual practitioner meets the TC-CHO's registration qualifications, competencies and other requirements.

6. Will TC-CHO be grandparenting current practitioners?

Grandparenting refers to the process of registering practicing homeopaths who meet the registration qualifications and other requirements determined at the time of proclamation and when TC-CHO begins to process applications. Additional standards or requirements may be implemented after the initial registration period.

The transitional Council is determining how to register current practitioners and students who are currently enrolled in educational programs. Public safety, however, will be the number one priority when it comes to considering policies on grandparenting.

7. Will TC-CHO offer registration examinations?

The transitional Council is considering the kinds of assessments needed to place public safety as the priority. This includes reviewing a variety of assessment tools, and to determine a fair and transparent process for assessing and registering members.

8. How will regulation affect naturopaths who practice homeopathy?

There are a number of health care professionals who practice homeopathy in conjunction with their primary form of service. The transitional Council, in consultation with practitioners and other regulatory boards, will develop policies regarding the matter of dual registration.

9. Will the Ontario Health Insurance Plan now cover homeopathic services?

The regulation of a profession does not confer a duty on the government to pay for its services. Only a few of the regulated health professions are funded by OHIP on a fee for service basis. Private insurance carriers may choose to cover homeopathic care and employers may provide benefits through extended health care plans. The decision to cover services is at the discretion of the employer and insurance carrier.

10. Will every TC-CHO registrant be required to practice in English or French?

Reasonable fluency in English or French is important since it is necessary for communication with other health care professionals, hospitals, community health institutions and to understand the laws governing the health care system in Ontario and Canada.

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Use of Title

1. My education grants me the right to use the "doctor" title. Does this new legislation allow me to use the title "doctor"?

Practitioners of homeopathy cannot use the "doctor" title, a variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language when providing or offering to provide health care in Ontario.

Currently, under section 33 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), no one is allowed to use the title "doctor", its variation or abbreviation or an equivalent in another language when providing or offering to provide health care in Ontario, unless he/she is a registrant of:

(a) the College of Chiropractors of Ontario;
(b) the College of Optometrists of Ontario;
(c) the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario;
(d) the College of Psychologists of Ontario; or
(e) the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.

A person who breaches section 33 may be prosecuted in the Provincial Offences Act Court. If the person is convicted, he/she is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 for a first offence and not more than $50,000 for a second or subsequent offence.

When the Homeopathy Act, 2007 is proclaimed into force full, the registered title will be "homeopath."

To see the full text of section 33 of the RHPA click here.

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Information for Students or Prospective Students

1. When registration becomes mandatory, how will TC-CHO deal with students who are in the middle of their educational programs?

The transitional Council is determining how it will approach the registration of students who are in the middle of their programs, more details will be available during the upcoming consultation process. The Council is required to consider public safety as the number one priority when considering registration issues.

2. I have heard that some organizations are claiming that their program will lead to registration with the regulatory body. Is this true?

NO, this claim is false. Once the registration regulation is finalized homeopathic education institutes will be encouraged to set their program curriculum to meet or exceed the regulatory requirements. 

3. I would like to enroll in a homeopathic program; how can I be sure that the program is recognized and my rights will be protected?

TC-CHO is currently in a transition phase. During this time, the transitional Council is developing regulations and policies, including setting entry-to-practice requirements and standards of practice, in order to register homeopathic practitioners. Once the transitional Council completes this initial work, TC-CHO will be able to evaluate the educational qualifications of individual applicants. Until then it is not possible to say which programs or courses, if any, will be recognized.

Contact Us We welcome your comments, questions, concerns, or requests for information.	Transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario 163 Queen Street East, 4th Floor Toronto, ON M5A 1S1 Tel: 416 862 4780 Toll Free: 1-877-883-8083 Fax: 416 874 4077 E-mail: info@collegeofhomeopaths.on.ca
We accept invitations to speak on the regulation of the homeopathic profession in Ontario and the role of the transitional Council. If you wish to invite us to your function, please call the office. Website Privacy Policy ©2009 Transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario. All rights reserved.

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