Prior to states licensing massage therapists, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork was developed to help professional massage therapists differentiate themselves from untrained massage practitioners. Since the introduction of the NCBTMB, many states have developed their unique criteria to license therapists within their state. For years the NCETMB, an exam created by the NCBTMB, was the only, or preferred, initial massage licensing exam used by most states. Now, most massage therapists may chose between the MBLEx exam (developed by the FSMTB) and the NCETMB with respect to obtaining a state massage license.
Why do a number of people prefer to take the NCETMB rather than the MBLEx? Massage therapists who live in states without any massage licensing may benefit from the NCTMB credential behind their name. It informs clients that they are visiting a qualified massage therapist who has received formal training, completed a standardized exam, and is committed upholding ethical standards. Also, the NCBTMB is scheduled to release the "advanced practitioner" exam for massage therapists with additional working experience. This examination is designed for those seeking to distinguish themselves from entry level massage therapists.
How do you become a NCTMB practitioner? Prior to sitting for the NCETMB and receiving the NCTMB credential, a therapist is required to complete five hundred hours of massage therapy training. After successful completion of the exam, you are regarded as a NCTMB massage practitioner. This isn't a lifetime status, however, it needs to be renewed every four years.
There are a few conditions for renewing your NCTMB status, or recertifying. First, there is a $125 renewal fee. In advance of renewal, each therapist is required to complete 48 hrs of continuing education. All 48 hours can be taken in a home study format. Of the 48 hours of continuing education, 6 CE Hours must include a study in ethics. The ethics courses must include 2 hours in Standard V: Roles and Boundaries. An communicable diseases course is not an eligible ethics course. The remaining 42 hours are up to you. Finally, You need to complete two hundred hours of work experience. This may consist of: therapeutic massage and/or bodywork (every type including energy work), volunteerism, teaching, developing curriculum, or publishing research. You can €reuse€ the continuing education credit you submit to your state within the same time period. For example, The state of Florida requires 24 CE hours every two years (or 48 hours every 4 years). The same CE hours can be turned into the NCBTMB for renewal. However, continuing education credits cannot be carried over to the subsequent renewal period.
Why should you renew your NCTMB credentials? Many practitioners elect to renew with the NCBTMB to distinguish themselves as an accomplished massage professional. However, a number of practitioners choose not to renew this credential after acquiring their state massage license, since there is no longer a requirement for it. This may change with the development of the €advanced practitioner€ exam. The unique exam may motivate more practitioners to continue their status with the NCBTMB.
Why do a number of people prefer to take the NCETMB rather than the MBLEx? Massage therapists who live in states without any massage licensing may benefit from the NCTMB credential behind their name. It informs clients that they are visiting a qualified massage therapist who has received formal training, completed a standardized exam, and is committed upholding ethical standards. Also, the NCBTMB is scheduled to release the "advanced practitioner" exam for massage therapists with additional working experience. This examination is designed for those seeking to distinguish themselves from entry level massage therapists.
How do you become a NCTMB practitioner? Prior to sitting for the NCETMB and receiving the NCTMB credential, a therapist is required to complete five hundred hours of massage therapy training. After successful completion of the exam, you are regarded as a NCTMB massage practitioner. This isn't a lifetime status, however, it needs to be renewed every four years.
There are a few conditions for renewing your NCTMB status, or recertifying. First, there is a $125 renewal fee. In advance of renewal, each therapist is required to complete 48 hrs of continuing education. All 48 hours can be taken in a home study format. Of the 48 hours of continuing education, 6 CE Hours must include a study in ethics. The ethics courses must include 2 hours in Standard V: Roles and Boundaries. An communicable diseases course is not an eligible ethics course. The remaining 42 hours are up to you. Finally, You need to complete two hundred hours of work experience. This may consist of: therapeutic massage and/or bodywork (every type including energy work), volunteerism, teaching, developing curriculum, or publishing research. You can €reuse€ the continuing education credit you submit to your state within the same time period. For example, The state of Florida requires 24 CE hours every two years (or 48 hours every 4 years). The same CE hours can be turned into the NCBTMB for renewal. However, continuing education credits cannot be carried over to the subsequent renewal period.
Why should you renew your NCTMB credentials? Many practitioners elect to renew with the NCBTMB to distinguish themselves as an accomplished massage professional. However, a number of practitioners choose not to renew this credential after acquiring their state massage license, since there is no longer a requirement for it. This may change with the development of the €advanced practitioner€ exam. The unique exam may motivate more practitioners to continue their status with the NCBTMB.