Self-test: Is a "Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM (Cert.)" course right for me?

TCM therapists: What does their everyday work look like?

Activity

TCM naturopaths treat people according to the teachings and with the means and methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and thus also support them in activating their self-healing powers.

At the start of treatment, they conduct a detailed anamnesis interview and examine the patient using TCM diagnostic methods: pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, observation. In addition to complaints and symptoms of illness, sleeping, eating and working habits or questions about the relationship environment are also discussed. The evaluation leads to a diagnosis, which is used to determine the appropriate treatment methods. The TCM therapist can use acupuncture, Tuina massage or cupping to release energy blockages and reactivate the flow of energy. Herbal applications are used to stimulate the self-regulating and self-healing powers from within and without. A change in diet and lifestyle can support the healing or alleviation of symptoms in the long term.

In addition to the curative practice work, there are a number of administrative and practical tasks, such as maintaining the practice premises, marketing and client acquisition, treatment documentation, bookkeeping, etc. A considerable amount of working time may be spent looking for appointments, issuing health insurance certificates, answering e-mails, etc. When working as an employee, some of these tasks are eliminated. This is where the exchange in interdisciplinary teams becomes more important.

Work opportunities

Since 2015, there has been a federal qualification in alternative medicine in Switzerland: by passing the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE), the title of "Naturopath with a federal diploma" can be obtained in the fields of TCM, TEN (Traditional European Naturopathy), Ayurvedic medicine or homeopathy.

TCM naturopaths can run their own practice, be part of a group practice or work in clinics, rehabilitation centers or spa hotels. In most Swiss cantons, however, they need a license to practice in order to run their own practice - and in most cantons, they need a federal diploma as a naturopath in order to obtain a cantonal license to practice.

Target group and skills: Who is TCM training suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The following target groups are addressed by training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

• People who are interested in TCM
• Healthcare professionals who want to develop their skills
• Persons seeking a federally recognized qualification as a naturopath in TCM with a federal diploma

The following qualities are required to work successfully as a naturopath specializing in TCM:

• serious interest in alternative medicine
• Communication skills and empathy
• physical and mental resilience and a balanced state of mind
• Tolerance towards those who think differently and other value systems

Prerequisites for admission to TCM training:

As a rule, TCM training is open to all interested persons. No specific previous training or professional experience is required.

Some schools require the following points for admission:

• at least 22 years old
• Apprenticeship qualification with Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (Vocational Diploma) or Matura (also a mandatory requirement for subsequent admission to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) in Naturopathy)
• Several years of professional experience of any kind
• good knowledge of German

Subject matter and content of continuing education, further training

The schools are free to organize their TCM training courses as they wish. The specialist training in Traditional Chinese Medicine generally covers the following topics:

• Basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (origin, history, development)
• Understanding illness, health and healing (elements, meridians, pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, Chinese medicines)
• Acupuncture/needle technique and Tuina
• Basic cupping, ear diagnostics and treatment, Qi Gong, Shiatsu
• Principles, concepts, effect and purpose of the treatment
• Indicators, contraindicators and limits of treatment

Most schools base the design of their TCM courses on the guidelines of the OdA AM (Organization of the Alternative Medicine Profession). The educational pathway according to OdA AM consists of the following modules:

• M1 Basic medical training
• M2 specialty (TCM, TEN, Ayurvedic medicine or homeopathy)
• M3 Health and ethics
• M4 Working as a therapist
• M5 Leading and managing operations
• M6 Practical training

The learning content of the TCM specialist training is considered Module 2.

Some schools offer all module training courses, others only some of them.

Courses and modules that meet the OdA AM requirements are recognized by the OdA AM and lead to the OdA AM certificate, which in turn is a prerequisite for admission to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) and the Federal Diploma in Naturopathy.

Costs of continuing education, further training

How much a TCM training course costs is determined by the schools themselves. The costs therefore vary from provider to provider.

You can expect the following costs for training up to the OdA AM certificate in Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• Course feesaround CHF 35'000-50'000
• Examination fee for the externally audited modules M1 and M2:CHF 3000
• Some providers requireExtra costsfor training materials. Find out about the actual costs directly from the provider of your choice.

If you want to take the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for the Federal Diploma in Naturopathy specializing in TCM, you must also expect the following major costs:

• Costs forat least 60 supervision units(at least 30 in groups, at least 30 individually): around CHF 4000 to CHF 6500
• Examination fee for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE)CHF 2850 (as at September 2025)

There are also specialist training courses lasting a few days/weeks (e.g. for healthcare staff), which are correspondingly cheaper at prices of between CHF 1000 and CHF 4000.

Course structure, duration of study, training options, teaching format and learning effort

• TCM training - whether specialist continuing education courses (cert.) or up to the Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Achtung: Englisch wie Dipl. Naturheilpraktiker/in (AFPE)) - is designed to be part-time and has a modular structure. This means that each module is taken and completed individually.
• The duration of the courses is determined independently by the schools and therefore varies greatly. Five to eight years can be expected for comprehensive training courses. There are also shorter courses lasting a few days/weeks, for example for healthcare professionals who wish to further their education in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.
• The schools also decide independently when the lessons take place. There are courses where lessons are offered two days a week and on selected Saturdays (and Sundays). Others only offer lessons one day a week.
• The training takes place (with a few exceptions) in classroom teaching.
• You should allow enough time to prepare for and follow up on the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Degree, diploma and title

Those who have successfully passed all modules of the TCM training course are admitted to the final examination.

The final examination is conducted by your personal teacher and serves to test your confidence in the use and application of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates will receive aschool certificate/Diploma of the respective school"TCM therapist [name of the school]" or also "qualified TCM therapist [name of the school]"

At schools whose TCM training is recognized by the OdA AM, you can receive the "Certificate OdA AM» in the field of TCM, which is an admission requirement for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) with the degree "Naturopath with a federal diploma / specializing in TCM" is.