The field of massage therapy is changing rapidly in terms of both formal regulation and professional norms. The current standard of training for an entry level massage therapist is 500 hours of in-class supervised instruction, with at least 100 hours of that devoted to anatomy, physiology and pathology, and 200 hours of instruction in technique.

There are over 800 massage training programs in the United States today, a minority of which do not meet the 500 hour standard. Many schools, however, offer more than this, and the standard in Canada is much higher (2500 hours in Ontario and over 3000 hours in British Columbia). While one can expect therapeutic massage training programs in the U.S. to expand in length in the coming years, the standards are likely to move away from being hours-based to becoming competency-based.

Schools of massage may be accredited as vocational schools by the appropriate regional accrediting agencies. There is also a Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), which gives a more substantive review. However, only a minority of schools have sought this recognition as COMTA is not yet recognized as an accrediting agency by the Federal Department of Education. That recognition is expected in the year 2001.

Individual practitioners of therapeutic massage may be licensed at the state or local level, and/or nationally certified. Since 1992, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCB) has administered an entry-level paper and pencil competency exam. Eligibility to sit for the exam includes successful completion of a 500 hour training program or a comparable portfolio. One becomes nationally certified by qualifying to sit for the exam, passing the exam, and completing at least 50 hours of continuing education every four years. To date, 26 states plus the District of Columbia have some form of statewide licensure for massage therapists.

The majority of these require 500 hours of training and passing the National Certification Exam (NCE). Some states have their own exam, some have none. However, the trend is toward use of the NCE. Both Connecticut and Washington, the states from which this sample of massage therapists was drawn, require 500 hours of training plus passing the NCE. The training received in massage schools is entry level, and regarded as the starting place for many practitioners. Training in advanced techniques or specialties may also require hundreds of hours of study. Most advanced training is offered through proprietary programs. Some of these offer "certification" in their techniques, but none of these certifications is accredited by any independent agency.

It is estimated that there are over 100,000 massage therapists in the United States today. The principal professional organization, The American Massage Therapy Association has over 42,000 members. The Association of Bodywork and Massage Professionals (a private, for-profit professional association) has over 25,000 members. Beyond this, it is believed that most massage therapists do not belong to any professional association.

next page...                               HOME