CCAC Is An NCBTMB Assigned School From NCBTMB.ORG: Burr Ridge,
Ill. (August 3, 2018)-The National Certification Board for
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced today key
changes to its Board Certification requirements and corresponding
Board Certification Exam, effective immediately. To further align
with healthcare professions and embrace similar competency-based
criteria, NCBTMB announced the following new Board Certification
requirements as of August 3, 2018:
1. Graduate from a NCBTMB
Assigned School
2. Passing score on the NCBTMB Board Certification
Exam
3. Pass a criminal background check (performed by NCBTMB)
4.
Verification of current massage therapy state licensure
5. Agree to
uphold NCBTMB's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
NCBTMB
removed its previously mandated 750 hours of education and 250
hours of professional, hands-on work experience. "Over the past
few years, and at the request of the profession, NCBTMB has
diligently reviewed levels of massage therapy education across the
country.
We recognize how important hours are in education,
particularly when it comes to CE-which always has and will continue
to be a vital component of our certification program," explained
Donna Sarvello, VP of Educational Support. "What we have learned,
however, is that not all foundational hours are created equal and,
furthermore, are not always indicative of a therapist's success on
the Board Certification Exam. For that reason, NCBTMB supports the
theory that competency-based criteria are a better indication of a
therapist's success." Sarvello continued: "In addition to the new
requirements, we felt strongly that the Board Certification Exam be
strengthened to reflect the needs of the profession. This was
further confirmed with the profession's request for an updated exam
in our recently completed Job Task Analysis. The dedicated members
of our Item Writing Committee-subject matter experts with decades
of experience-worked tirelessly to research, identify, and write
new questions to create a rigorous exam worthy of the profession's
only true certification program.
This exam and the competencies
required to achieve a passing score will further ensure therapists'
success in the medical profession, when working as part of an
integrative healthcare team, or simply to differentiate themselves
from entry-level licensed therapists." As part of the process,
medical and allied healthcare professions were researched to
determine what, if any, educational requirements were mandatory for
certification.
As expected, competency was often not measured in
foundational hours but rather in assessment-based exams and proof
of continued education. Such findings were the impetus for changes
made by the NCBTMB. "For over 25 years, our mission has been to
define and advance the highest standards in the massage therapy and
bodywork profession," declared Teresa M. Matthews, President. "In
the 1990's, NCBTMB accomplished this through National
Certification-the nation's first true certification exam to
separate educated massage therapists from others with no formalized
training. In 2013, NCBTMB raised its standards, elevated the
contents of the exam, and changed the name to Board Certification
to alleviate confusion in the profession and align with the
healthcare model. Today, in 2018, we introduce a new avenue to
achieve Certification and better position our therapists to meet
the demands of the medical field." Matthews continued: "We embrace
and acknowledge therapists come from all backgrounds-and we believe
everyone who meets the requirements should have the opportunity to
achieve the profession's highest credential. If a therapist did not
graduate from a NCBTMB Assigned School or completed international
training, the Portfolio Review process is still a viable, alternate
avenue to achieve Certification."
Board Certification renewal
requirements remain mainly unaffected. However, 100 hours of
hands-on work experience is no longer required. Application cost
for Board Certification remains at $250 with an additional $25
background check fee. Candidates requiring Portfolio Review will be
assessed an additional $75 fee.
For more information on Board
Certification Requirements, or to apply, visit https://www.ncbtmb.org/certificants/.
For a breakdown of the new Board Certified exam requirements click
here (
https://www.ncbtmb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/18-08-03-BCETMB-Breakdown-PROOF.pdf)
About NCBTMB: The National Certification Board for Therapeutic
Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is an independent, private,
nonprofit organization founded in 1992. The mission of NCBTMB is to
define and advance the highest standards in the massage therapy and
bodywork profession. In support of this mission, NCBTMB serves the
profession through Board Certification, Specialty Certificates, an
Approved Provider Program, and an Assigned School Code Program.
CCAC has been an NCBTMB Assigned School since 2012!
If you would
like more information about Board Certification, or would like to
apply to our program, contact Kevin Anderson, Program Director at
kanderson@ccac.edu.