Students wishing to make application for an exemption from a module/unit must be able to satisfy the curriculum requirements of the Institute course. Exemptions or equivalences from Human Medical Sciences modules/units can be obtained by students who have already gained equivalent qualifications from recognised tertiary institutions.

Exemptions from other specific module/units of the course might be granted on the basis of certified previous study where the applicant has gained qualifications in the relevant module(s)/unit(s) at a Tertiary Institution acceptable to the Institute, and can only be obtained at the discretion of the Institute's Board of Directors, based on recommendations from the Principal, Director of Studies or Academic Committee. (To be 'acceptable', the Institution must firstly be an accredited (in Australia, China, or other TCM educational institution, but must also meet the academic standards and criteria of SITCM Institute, or the equivalent - e.g., course content and nominal hours.)

Reductions in the amount of clinic practicum may be granted for work experience supervised by a qualified practitioner approved by the Institute. Applicants are not permitted more than 50% exemption of all course modules/units and clinic hours.

However, applicants, who have clinical practice experience and are otherwise seeking to have their qualifications recognized in Australia by completing the Institute's TCM course, and who apply for exemption of clinical practice, are required to supply such details as Certificate of Registration of Business Name and paid-up membership of TCM professional association(s) (non-profit organizations). The minimum requirement for exemption is at five years continuous clinical practice without any record of unsafe practices.

Procedure:

1. The applicant fills in application for recognition of prior learning (exemption), including the Title and Code of the Module(s) of the course. Equivalencies claimed should meet the content and nominal hour's criteria.
   
   
2. Attached to the application should be:

a. Certified copies of the relevant TCM qualifications, transcripts, course outlines and other academic records including the title of the module, duration (hours) of learning, results (marks and grades).

b. Evidence of clinical practice, as mentioned above, if exemption is sought.

Applications without presenting the relevant TCM qualifications will not be recognized.

1. The Institute reserves the right to check and identify the original qualifications and academic records. Usually, the Institute's Principal will interview the applicant and verify the authenticity of original documents.
   
   
2. Payment of administrative application fee is $100.
   
   
3. The module(s) exemption application is finally approved by the Principal and/or the Institute Academic Committee and a fee of $150 per module approved will apply.
   
   
4. The Applicant will be required to "sign off" on the approval of recognition of prior learning or disapproval form The original form will be placed on the applicant's file and a copy given to the applicant.
   

Download the Application for Recognition of Prior Learning and Application for Recognition of Prior Learning Evidence Summary.

Application for Recognition of Prior Learning