BAHMA is a professional body of Acupuncturists and Holistic Medicine practitioners. It was formed to promote the development and improve professional standards of these therapies with a view to assimilating them into the UK’s medical mainstream.

We aim to preserve and further develop the original Chinese and Holistic medical traditions whilst at the same time to serve as a bridge to complement modern western therapies for the greater benefit of patients.

Members have undertaken to operate within high professional and ethical standards which are reflected in the BAHMA’s Codes of Safe practice, Complaints procedures, disciplinary procedures and insurance requirements.

 

There are different types of Verified Membership of BAHMA.

Practitioners must only apply for membership in therapies for which they are qualified/certified in, and are obliged under our ethical rules to work within their scope of practice.

Student members are not entitled to practice until they have received their qualification certificate except under supervision or during home case study assignments for which they have arranged student cover.

Membership can be suspended at any time pending an investigation on conduct matters or due to breaches of the Codes of Practice.

 

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

  • Full professional membership;
  • Affiliate membership;
  • Student membership.

 

1. FULL PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Full Members have all of the benefits of BAHMA’s membership including:

  • Licence exemption (for qualified acupuncturists only – London area);
  • Professional and legal advice for Holistic Health practitioners;
  • Up to 40% discount for the participation in the events organised by BAHMA (seminars, workshops, holistic fairs, etc);
  • Vote in the affairs of BAHMA;
  • opportunity to participate in the Patient Referral program;
  • exclusive opportunity to display the logo of BAHMA on a professional website.

 

Requirements for Full BAHMA membership:

– Acupuncture 

  • BSc or BA degree level training or its equivalent in acupuncture or Chinese medicine;
  • Practitioners of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine who have completed a 5 year professional course  in mainland China. Applicants must send in copy´s of their certificate of training and their CV in English, they should  have completed a first aid course either here or in China.
  • Applicants must be engaged in the practice of medical acupuncture in the UK;
  • All applicants must make a declaration that their English is up to level 6.5 standard;
  • Full medical malpractice and public/products liability insurance cover in UK;
  • Compliance with BAHMA’s Professional Codes: Code of Safe Practice and Code of Ethics;
  • BAHMA recommends that member undertake 20 hours per year of Continued Professional Development.

Membership is renewed on an annual basis subject to compliance with the BAHMA’s Code of Safe Practice and submission of copies of Practitioner’s Qualifications, Insurance, First Aid Certificate. Annual CPD must be added on the to the submission form.

The Full annual membership fees are:

Acupuncture and or Chinese Herbal Medicine – £100

 

Requirements for Full BAHMA membership:

– Holistic Medicine Professionals

  • All Applicants must have a UK recognisable qualification which is equivalent to Diploma standard qualification in Holistic Medicine profession.
  • All applicants must make a declaration that their English is up to level 6.5 standard;
  • Full medical malpractice and public/products liability insurance cover;
  • Compliance with BAHMA’s Professional Codes: Code of Safe Practice and Code of Ethics;
  • BAHMA recommends that member undertake 20 hours per year of Continued Professional Development.

Membership is renewed on an annual basis subject to compliance with the BAHMA’s Code of Safe Practice and submission of copies of Practitioner’s Qualifications, Insurance. Annual CPD must be added on the to the submission form.

The Full annual membership fees are:

Holistic Medicine professionals – £50

 

2. AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP

This category is available to physicians and allied health professionals with an interest in Acupuncture and Holistic Medicine who may or may not qualify for Full Membership. Affiliate Members receive modest discounts in workshop and conference fees but are not eligible to participate in the Academy’s Patient Referral program. The will have an opportunity to participate in the Patient Referral program and exclusive opportunity to display the logo of BAHMA on a professional website.

Affiliate membership is available to the following practitioners:

  • Certified Holistic Medicine professionals licensed in the UK, EU or non EU countries;
  • Licensed physicians who have an interest in Acupuncture or Holistic Medicine;
  • Health Professionals who have attended relevant CPD courses (subject to indemnity insurance).

 

Requirements for Afficiate BAHMA membership:

  • All Applicants must have a recognisable qualification which is equivalent to Diploma standard qualification in Holistic Medicine profession;
  • Full medical malpractice and public/products liability insurance cover;
  • Compliance with BAHMA’s Professional Codes: Code of Safe Practice and Code of Ethics;

The Affiliate annual membership fees are – £40

 

3. FREE STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

  • Students will receive modest discounts in workshop and events organised by BAHMA;

Requirement for the student membership: 

  • Students of the registered UK Institutions;
  • Standard student insurance cover (if applicable).

Notice: Student members are not entitled to practice until they have received their qualification certificate except under supervision or during home case study assignments for which they have arranged student cover.

All members are obliged to adhere to BAHMA’s code of Safe Practice, and must be fully insured (except for the student membership which requires the standard student insurance cover); they have to keep accurate patient and tax records and operate in a legal and professional manner and complete 20 hours of CPD per year.

Members must forward to BAHMA annually the following documents:

  • A valid certificate of professional indemnity insurance
  • A copy of sharps disposal contract (Not applicable to Acupressure and Oriental massage and members not administering needle therapies) or an explanation of how their needles are disposed of within their working environment.
  • The annual membership renewal fee of £40,  £50 or £100 whichever is applicable.

Members are recommended 20 hours of Continued Professional Development per year.

All applicants must declare if they have a criminal record or any health condition which may effect their ability to practice.

 

Email to info@bahma.org to apply for membership. 

All applicants must attach photos or scans of:

1. Training or CPD Certificates, Degrees or Diplomas;

2. Copies of their Professional indemnity insurance;

3. Details of attendance first aid course (if relevant);

4. Language certificate (when applicable).

 

Please make your payment online by Paypal subscription.

Alternatively you may post a cheque payable to BAHMA to:

British Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine Association

1 Bedford Mews, East Finchley, London, N2 9DF

For all other enquiries please email info@bahma.org