National Board Changes Certification Criteria                      September 2004
In a move that’s met opposition from massage schools, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) has changed the composition of education hours required to sit for the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).

Although the amount of education required to take the exam will remain at 500 hours, as of June 1, 2005, the composition of those hours will change. The number of required anatomy, physiology and kinesiology hours will increase from 100 to 125 hours; the amount of required pathology hours will increase from 0 to 40 hours; and the amount of required instruction in ethics will increase from a minimum of two hours to a minimum of six hours.

The same criteria will apply to those who wish to take the National Certification in Therapeutic Massage exam, for an entry-level, massage-only credential that the NCBTMB will begin to offer in June 2005.

“Students who began their programs of study prior to June 1, 2005, will be evaluated using the current eligibility criteria,” said Judy Dean, R.N., chair of the NCBTMB. “Students who begin their programs of study on or after [June 1, 2005] will be evaluated based on the updated criteria.”

That means massage schools have until June 2005 to realign their curriculum, if necessary, if they would like their students to be eligible to take the national exam. Although schools are not required to change their curriculums to meet the new NCBTMB standards, students will not be able to sit for the national exam unless they have graduated from a school that meets the criteria. Passing the NCETMB is required to gain a massage license and practice legally in 22 states and the District of Columbia.

According to the School Operations Survey, recently conducted by Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, 31.9 percent of massage schools currently have a pathology curriculum that meets or exceeds the new eligibility requirement, and 46 percent currently have an anatomy, physiology and kinesiology curriculum that meets or exceeds the new criteria.

“[Altering the curriculum] will take reorganization of schedule, curriculum trial periods, assessment of student feedback, and ongoing adjustments for effectiveness,” said Dar Mikula, assistant director of the Florida School of Massage, in Gainesville. “This is not something that can be done properly in six months or even a year, which is why I disagree with the [NCBTMB] timeframe for educational changes.”

Changes to the eligibility criteria were announced at the American Massage Therapy Association’s Council of Schools meeting in January 2004, said Dean, and letters notifying schools of the changes were sent to more than 1,200 schools.

“NCBTMB chose the implementation date of June 1, 2005, with the understanding that schools and students need time to prepare accordingly,” said Dean. “We hope that schools will use the advance notice to equip themselves as necessary to meet the needs of their students who plan to apply for national certification.”

Changes to the eligibility criteria were based on the results of a job-analysis survey conducted from September 2002 to January 2003 by the NCBTMB, which asked respondents to assess the importance of certain job-related tasks, knowledge areas and skill sets to competent practice. The surveys were sent to 2,335 nationally certified practitioners; 517 were completed and returned.

“As current practitioners, the individuals surveyed provided the most useful input about the field and the job requirements to be a nationally certified massage therapist,” said Dean.

According to Claude Gagnon, CEO of Lakeside School of Massage Therapy, with campuses in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the NCBTMB has not done enough to include all parties affected by this decision.

“There needs to be a clear dialogue between the [NCBTMB], the schools, the membership associations and people in legislation,” said Gagnon. “I don’t think the [NCBTMB] is the organization that should be identifying educational requirements or content. That is really the responsibility of accrediting agencies, such as COMTA.”

Dean contends that updating the eligibility criteria for the national exam is well within the NCBTMB’s realm of responsibility.

“NCBTMB works to assure and maintain the integrity, stability and quality of the national certification program,” she said, “and to periodically update the program to reflect current practices in therapeutic massage and bodywork.”

Mikula said she is concerned about the NCBTMB setting specific subject-hour requirements based on a single survey. However, because passing the national exam is required to get a massage license in Florida, the Florida School of Massage will alter its curriculum to line up with the NCBTMB’s new eligibility requirements.

“Our challenge as an autonomous educational institution is to take all this focus on quantity and transform it into a quality educational experience for our students,” she said. “Our school is committed to an organic educational process even in the face of attempts by regulatory agencies to make it be all about numbers.”
- Brandi Schlossberg

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