Massage therapy is an important industry, not only in the environment but also in the field of health.
The US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the profession will grow faster than average between now and 2012. Americans spend close to $4-6 billion each year on massage therapy. Massage can relieve pain, provide better circulation, better lymph flow and just a better sense of well-being (and to name a few benefits his’).
However, despite all the health and is successful in the field, yet sometimes there is that notation “adult massage rooms.” While professional facilities are never lumped into the same category as “backyard” locations, the association still exists. “Massage room” and “masseuse” are religious words in professional schools and health care facilities and if anyone uses them, it’s either because they do or not better, not even one of these “those places.” Because of this, it is crucial to the therapist‘s success and reputation to be nationally certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
Certification by the NCBTMB promotes credibility, promotes professional ethics and standards, continuous professional development, and more. In addition, while it is not required in some states to practice, 36 others and Washington, D.C. require national certification. And, even in states where this is not required, schools, clinic owners and other employers of therapists cannot adequately confirm that the pathway is nationally certified.
To be eligible to take the NCBTMB exam, a massage therapist must be graduated from an established school that is, licensed and licensed by the NCBTMB. The training program must also include at least 500 hours, including ethics, anatomy and physiology and other material related to the course. We don’t want to talk negatively about any school in our area, either open or closed, but a certificate program that provides continuous education. standards (CEUs) does not meet NCBTMB standards.
At Allied Medical School and Technical Institute in Forty Fort, PA, the program is approved for 39.5 credits and 730 hours. While the skills you learn in school may seem non-credible, it is not an issue. The difference is that if someone does not attend an approved school, they are not eligible to sit for national certification, which affects the ability to open a business in certain areas. (Recently in Plains Township, PA a massage spa was banned from opening because the therapist was not certified – a community collegecommunity program which is not credit-based). This can also prevent them from gaining experience in a professional capacity. Therefore, attending a school not approved by the NCBTMB is a waste of money, unless it is for the sole purpose of personal enrichment.
Are non-accredited and/or accredited programs cheap? It could be. Price should not be the only factor in choosing massage therapy schools, as some failed graduates of non-accredited schools testify. In AMTI recently students from another school and his wife recently had help; They found out late that his school was not informed.
Another important factor in becoming a certified massage therapist is federal financial aid that is not available to non-accredited programs. Thus, the disclosure could be a cheaper program at a higher cost, with higher interest rates on the loan or larger out-of-pocket expenses being paid to make up for the lack of federal funding.
If you (or someone you know) is considering an exciting career as a massage therapist, do your homework. Ask the right questions. Some people Don’t let what seems like a lot steer you to a school you can’t get your life into.
For information, contact the NCBTMB at www.ncbtmb.org or call them at (800) 296-0664. Also, the American Massage Therapy Association is a good resource at www.amtamassge.org or 847-864-0123. They can provide you with a list of approved schools.
If you happen to be in northern Pennsylvania and are interested, call Donna at AMTI at 570-288-8400.
