I graduated December 17 2004 and was eager to start practicing massage. but sad to say that I was’nt able to pass the NCBTMB. I know i am good at this and it breaks my heart that because of the NCBTMB i am kept from practicing the profession. I am now awaiting my confirmation to retake the exam. i read your column about the NCBTMB and i agree with you. my wife is a nurse and they also have a certification but at least its only $150 unlike the $250 that the NCBTMB was asking. also i dont understand why its broken down into 7 major categories which includes the TCM and Chakras etc… i already had my first exam and out of the 160 + questions… i think there is only 4 to 5 questions on TCM it makes no sense at all. By the way here in Richmond VA, it is not enough that you pass the NCBTMB because you have to take another state certification for another $105 fee. I grew up in a country where even blind people can practice massage, and you can graduate in 2 weeks because everything is hands on. It is so frustrating that after 6 months of full time study on anatomy, physiology musculoskeltal, medecal terminology, TCM, Massage etc. etc. not to mention the $7,000 tuition that is now taking its toll, here I am stucked to whether I pass the NCBTMB or not. I envy the therapist who graduated after the NCBTMB was created. I have a friend who is practicing massage for 15 years now and never in her practice that a costumer even bothered to ask whether she is certified or not. By the way she never had any issues with the code of ethics either. I guess in every profession it all comes down to whether you know how to honor it or not, and thats whats important.