Hebei's health department issued new by-laws on September 10, clarifying that practitioners of Chinese medicine without professional degrees can still take the doctor qualification exam if they have special skills.

The practitioners must be assessed and recognized before taking the exam. They need to pass two tests, one for finishing traditional medicine apprenticeship and the other for specialty in traditional medicine.

After passing the two tests, the practitioners will have a one-year medical institution probation in Hebei. They will also have to pass the final exam. After this they can apply to take the assistant doctor qualification examination.

After they receive the qualification of assistant doctor, the practitioners must continue working for five years in traditional medicine at medical institutions. They are then qualified to take the examination for the qualification of doctor.