A B.C. massage therapist and acupuncturist has been suspended by his professional college over a sexual assault charge for which he is currently awaiting trial. Chao (Rex) Yang self-reported to the College of Complementary Health Professionals back in December that he was under criminal investigation for sexual assault, according to a summary protection order issued by the college this week, roughly nine months later. Yang was charged in February of this year, according to online court records. “The respondent provided the college with a copy of an undertaking that he entered into with the New Westminster Police Department in relation to that charge,” the order reads. “As part of the undertaking, the respondent is legally prohibited from going to any massage parlour, massage clinic, or massage school and from participating in the practice of massage therapy. As such, the college initiated its own regulatory investigation.” The undertaking relates to the criminal case against Yang and is separate from the college’s regulatory process, the order notes. The allegations against Yang have not been proven, and the criminal case is currently scheduled for a trial next year. “If the criminal charges do not proceed and the respondent is relieved of the undertaking, the college must ensure the public is adequately protected considering the separate and ongoing regulatory investigation into this matter,” the order reads. The order suspends Yang’s authority to practise massage therapy. It will remain in place until the college’s investigation committee orders its termination or the college’s investigation of the matter is resolved. While Yang’s massage therapy practice is suspended, his authority to practise acupuncture is “not currently affected,” according to the order. “The panel applied the applicable statutory test and, without deciding the merits of the allegations, was satisfied there are reasonable grounds to believe that the respondent’s continued, unrestricted practice as a massage therapist poses a significant risk of harm,” the order reads. “The panel determined that a suspension of the respondent’s massage therapy practice authority was appropriate in the circumstances as it is commensurate to the risk and matches the terms of the undertaking.” Yang’s entry in the college’s online directory indicates he has been a registered massage therapist since May 2025, and was employed at Marpole Chiropractic in Vancouver and Panda Clinic in Burnaby beginning in June that year. The alleged sexual assault occurred on Dec. 3, 2025, according to online court records.
