Training Levels
Introduction Workshop
Half-day overview of the NADA Protocol: history, evidence base, clinical applications, and observation of a live group treatment. No needling. Suitable for administrators, funders, and those exploring whether NADA fits their setting.
Fee: $150 per participant. Group rates available for institutional bookings.
Practitioner Training
Two-day hands-on training covering ear anatomy, point location, needling technique, contraindications, group facilitation, and documentation. Includes supervised practice. Prerequisite for certification.
Fee: $450 per participant. Includes training materials and NADA Protocol manual.
Certification & Supervision
Post-training supervised clinical hours, competency assessment, and formal certification as a NADA Protocol practitioner. Ongoing professional development requirements for certification renewal.
Fee: $200 certification assessment fee (following completion of supervised hours).
Who Can Attend
NADA Protocol training is open to regulated health professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists), as well as community health workers, peer support workers, addiction counsellors, corrections staff, and others working within a clinical or organizational framework. No prior acupuncture training is required.
The Introduction Workshop is open to anyone, including administrators, policymakers, and funders exploring whether the NADA Protocol fits their setting.
Continuing Education
NADA Canada Institute provides certificates of completion for all training programs. Participants may submit these to their regulatory college for individual continuing education credit review. NADA Canada Institute is pursuing formal CE approval with relevant Ontario regulatory bodies. Contact us for the current status of CE accreditation for your profession.
Safety & Contraindications
The NADA Protocol has an established safety profile spanning over 40 years of clinical use. Adverse events are rare and typically minor (slight bleeding, temporary soreness at needle site).
Contraindications and precautions include:
- Active ear infection or inflammation at needle sites
- Haemophilia or severe bleeding disorders
- First trimester of pregnancy (precautionary — some programs treat throughout pregnancy with informed consent)
- Severe needle phobia (protocol should not be forced; voluntary participation is a core principle)
- Damaged or scarred ear tissue at point locations
All contraindications and safety procedures are covered in detail during Practitioner Training.
Organizational Training
We deliver on-site training for organizations looking to integrate NADA Protocol into their service model. This includes customized programming for healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, shelters, community health centres, and Indigenous health organizations.
Institutional training includes implementation planning, policy development support, and a sustainability framework so the program continues beyond the initial training cohort.