A B.C. massage therapist whose licence was suspended last month over a pending sexual assault charge has now had his authority to practise acupuncture revoked as well. Chao (Rex) Yang self-reported to the College of Complementary Health Professionals of B.C. back in December that he was under criminal investigation for sexual assault, according to a summary protection order issued by the college last month. Last week, the college issued an additional summary protection order against Yang, this time suspending his licence to practise acupuncture. “Upon considering the evidence and the previous decision, the (investigation committee) panel was of the view that there are no measures currently in place to protect the public in relation to the respondent’s practice of acupuncture, which necessarily involves a similar type of risk as the practice of massage therapy,” reads a summary of the order appended to Chao’s entry in the college’s online directory. “Thus, the panel determined that a suspension of the respondent’s acupuncture practice authority was appropriate in the circumstances as it is commensurate to the risk.” Yang was charged with one count of sexual assault in February of this year, according to online court records. The offence allegedly occurred on Dec. 3, 2025. The charge has not been proven and the matter is currently scheduled for trial in New Westminster next year. The CCHPBC serves as the regulatory body for massage therapists, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists. It was created in 2024 through the amalgamation of several pre-existing provincial regulatory colleges. When it initially suspended Yang’s licence to practise massage therapy, the college noted that he had made an undertaking to the New Westminster Police Department promising not to attend “any massage parlour, massage clinic, or massage school” and not to practise massage therapy. At the time, the college said Yang’s authority to practise acupuncture was “not currently affected.”
