There is much controversy in the licensing of massage
therapists in the US. Currently each state has their own
requirements as far as the number of hours of training and the
testing process. The National Certification Board of
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) was set up in the
early 90's to create a test that was supposed to offer
reciprocity between states but because each state has different
number of hours of education required and education is overseen
by each state reciprocity is really never going to be possible
in the massage profession.
Because of the problems that have arisen with the NCBTMB a
new group the Federation of Massage School Boards has been
created to help ensure the massage professions future.
The
NCBTMB will tell you things like this:
Why Become Certified
National Certification:
* Represents the highest professional credential in the field
* Denotes the mark of a true professional committed to safe and ethical practice
* Gains you recognition, visibility, and credibility
* Increases your employment opportunities and mobility between states
* Allows reimbursement by various insurance companies
* Connects you to NCBTMB's locator service for employers and consumers
* Provides reassurance to the consumer, the profession and the employer
This is what the National Certification Board in Massage claims they do, but in
reality you will most likely find that no one will ever ask you if you are
nationally certified or if you are even licensed.
The recognition you get
in the profession will come as a result of your own hard work, experience,
professionalism, ability to interact with clients and your beliefs about
yourself and what you do.
The NCB is trying to make others think that is
protecting the consumer but there is great controversy over what.
There has been no evidence to date that shows that massage causes any harm.
Keith Grant has been researching it and reports on it in his paper on "Issues
in massage
governance."(pdf)
To find out more about massage licensing and
massage careers you can purchase my Ebook -The
Massage Therapy Career Guide - The truth about
becoming a massage therapist.
To find out more about massage
therapy careers you can purchase my Ebook -The
Massage Therapy Career Guide - The truth about
becoming a massage therapist.
