The Portability of your Massage Therapy Education
You may be wondering about the portability of massage therapy, in other words, how easy is it to move and set up practice in other jurisdictions. Massage therapy is a wonderful profession in that it can meet the needs of the person who wants to settle into a stable practice as well as those who want to travel the world on a cruise ship or with a professional sports team.
In North America, massage therapy is typically regulated by province or state, and each one has its own set of requirements. However, Ontario graduates, coming from a province with a mandated 2200 hour program, generally find that the requirements of other juristictions are easily met. The exception is British Columbia (3000 hours), where Ontario graduates must take a 'bridging course' to cover the additional curricular and practical hours needed. Massage therapy educational programs in the United States range between 500-1500 hours. In some cases Ontario graduates can get immediate reciprocity; in others straightforward examinations must be passed. The United States also has a national certification body, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). Its examination is increasingly being used as a method for meeting state licensing requirements. For more information, you can visit their website at ncbtmb.com.
Massage therapy is a growing profession with an exciting future. In addition to our traditional arenas of employment (private and group practices, fitness and health clubs, hotels and spas, chiropractic and naturopathic offices, athletic venues, rehabilitation centres) we are seeing expansion of work opportunities into direct medical care environments such as hospitals, chronic care facilities, and medical practices. This has underscored for us that research must be one of our key areas of growth in the coming years. Massage therapy is a research-poor profession that needs new practitioners who have a drive to engage in activities which will move our profession forward in the 21st century. Become an R.M.T. and help us grow!
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