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The Chi Institute offers certifications in veterinary acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-na. A list of the certification types and their respective certification requirements are listed below.

Please note that the Chi Institute cannot issue any certification to DVM students until their DVM has been obtained.
Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA)
Veterinary acupuncturists treat patients by inserting specialized needles into points along the body's many meridian lines. 

Certification Requirements:
  • Complete all five sessions of the Small Animal Acupuncture, Mixed Animal Acupuncture, or Equine Acupuncture program.
  • Pass three online quizzes (administered online after sessions 1-3) with scores above 75%.
  • Pass final written exam in the final on-site session with a score above 75%.
  • Pass the clinical acupoints exam in the final on-site session with a score above 75%.
  • Submit one veterinary acupuncture case report to be approved.
  • Complete 30-hours of advanced TCVM program training or internship with a certified veterinary acupuncturist or through an advanced program.




Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist (CVCH)

Veterinary Chinese herbalists use their knowledge of whole herbs and herbal formulas to treat disease patterns in their patients.


Certification Requirements:

  • Enrollment and completion of all five herbal modules (can be online, on-site, or a combination of both)
  • Pass 5 take-home examinations, each administered upon completion of a module
  • Submission of three case reports to be approved by Chi faculty



Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (CVFT)

Veterinary food therapists use the energetic properties of food to provide dietary therapy to patients. They recommend store bought pet foods or even home cooked recipes, depending on owner willingness and compliance.


Certification Requirements:

  • Completion of the Veterinary Food Therapy course (online or on-site)
  • Pass the take-home exam
  • Submission of one veterinary food therapy case report to be approved by Chi faculty




Certified Veterinary Tui-na Practitioner (CVTP)

Veterinary Tui-na practitioners perform a variety of manual techniques to acupressure points and meridians or whole limbs to treat and prevent musculoskeletal disorders and other health issues.


Certification Requirements:

  • Completion of all sessions of the Veterinary Tui-na course
  • Pass the take-home exam and clinical exam
  • Submission of one veterinary Tui-na case report to be approved by Chi faculty
Certified TCVM Practitioner (CTCVMP)

Certified TCVM Practitioners (CTCVMP) have demonstrated their knowledge and proficiency in TCVM by earning certification in all four branches of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine: Acupuncture, Food Therapy, Herbal Medicine and Tui-na. The CTCVMP program consists of a total of 351 C.E. hours, approved by most states.


Certification Requirements:

  • Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA)
  • Certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist (CVCH)
  • Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (CVFT)
  • Certified Veterinary Tui-na Practitioner (CVTP)