National Certification in Massage Therapy

The National Certification Board of Massage Therapy has set up a program of certification to become a massage therapist. It is different from becoming certified in a specific technique or graduating from massage school with a certificate of completion. You can get certified in different types of massage and bodywork such as reflexology, shiatsu, cranio-sacral therapy and others but that does not necessarily mean that you will be able to practice in your city/state.

Some states require that you take a test that is given by the National Certification Board of massage to be able to practice massage professionally in your city/state. Some states have a state professional exam while other states have no requirements to practice professionally. Knowing what is required is important because it will require different classes and specific numbers of hours of education in specific topics to be able to take the test and practice massage professionally.

I know it is very confusing.

Taking the test in your state means you can practice in your state. It does not necessarily mean that you will be able to practice in any other state, as different states have different requirements for becoming licensed. The test may be the National Certification Exam or it may just be a test devised by your state. The other point of interest is that even in states that use the national exam, they may have a different number of hours of training or specific classes required.

After you are professionally licensed by your state if it is required, you may then apply for a business license if you are going to set up a business or become a sub-contractor at a clinic or spa. You won't need a business license if you plan on getting a job in massage where you are considered an employee.

National Certification has created a great political dilemma in the massage profession. The exam was created without really studying whether or not an exam was needed. It is based on the belief that the public needs to be protected from harm that could be caused by a massage therapist. There is no concrete proof of harm at this time. Keith Graham of the McKinnon School of Massage has written about the politics of massage extensively on his website www.ramblemuse.com . He has written an extensive white paper, a Review of Issues in Massage Governance that addresses the issues that are being forced upon the profession by the National Certification Board.The legislation is also thought to deter prostitution or prostitutes using massage as a front to their business. The only thing that will separate us from that profession is our own integrity.

The National Certification Board of Massage and Bodywork also has created some myths about the massage profession trying to seduce everyone into thinking that the test is something more than it really is. I have written an article on the

National Certification in Massage and Bodywork

that will hopefully clarify the details behind National Certification.

The issues of certification have been added to by the recent surge of the so called "Medical Massage Movement" who are in the beginning stages of creating their own certification process for Medical Massage.

The bottom line is really about defining ourselves as a profession. Everyone seems to have their own opinions as to how much education is needed to make a qualified massage therapist. All these opinions are based on greed and power. We have lost

For more massage school related topics: Choosing a School Massage School Accreditation Ethics of Touch Massage Politics Professional Myths Massage School Curriculums

sight of the basic premise of healing which is compassion through touch. We become further removed from taking responsibility when we rely on politics to define our profession.

My challenge to the profession is to come together as one in a community where we can all agree on what we are doing. The common thread is Touch.

There is now a movement to ensure Freedom in Healthcare which was started by the Minnesota Natural Health Coalition. Minnesota Natural Health Coalition. There are now other states following with their own groups that promote the fact that healing is different than conventional medicine and does not need the legislation to "protect" the public.

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