The first international examination for Hong Kong acupuncturists and herbalists will be launched this year, a spokesman for the Institute of Chinese Medicine Professional Development said.
The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine recognises the examination, offered since 1989 on the mainland.
Dr Betty Chang Chuan-wuan, dean of the School of Continuing Education at Hong Kong Baptist University, said the international-standard examination would improve professional standards.
Professor Cheung Tai-Chiu, former vice-chairman at Jinan University Medical College in Guangzhou, said the test would asses how qualified practitioners were.
'Although practitioners' training levels vary from high-quality tuition to advice passed from father to son, there is no examination system,' he said.
Figures from the Preparatory Committee on Chinese Medicine show 7,000 practitioners in the territory last year.
Professor Cheung said many herbalists and acupuncturists from Taiwan, Australia and the United States sat the examination in Beijing and gained certificates to practise in their home countries.