Massage Therapy School
Before you choose a massage therapy school or embark on any type of massage therapy training, there are a number of things to consider.
This is part one of a two-part series on how to become a massage therapist in Canada and the United States. What you need to know about massage school training.
Massage Therapy School
In Canada and the United States, massage therapists, massage practitioners or bodyworkers are not all equally trained, nor are they all governed by the same regulatory body. They are as diverse as the 150-plus types of massage techniques that exist. So you want to become a massage therapist? Where do you begin?
Massage School 101 - Begin with Researching the Rules and Regulations for Practicing Massage
Before you choose a massage school, it's important to do your research regarding the rules and regulations for practicing massage in your province or state, as well as knowing what the licensing requirements are for your city or town. This can give you a better idea of what kind of massage training you are going to need to practice massage legally in your area.
Canadian Massage Therapy Regulations
In Canada, currently, British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland/Labrador are the only provinces with education requirements and health care regulations overseeing massage therapists. The educational requirements for each province range from 0 to 3000 hours. So if you train in one province and then move to another, keep this in mind, as you may have to acquire more hours of training before you can continue to practice massage therapy or even to utilize the title of massage therapist.
British Columbia Massage Therapy Regulations
In British Columbia, for example, the regulatory body for the profession of massage therapy is governed by the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia. Only its members can call themselves a "registered massage therapist", "massage therapist", "registered massage practitioner", "massage practitioner", "or any other name or description that implies that the person is registered with the College." Membership requires the current minimum 3,000 hours or approximately three years of training.
Those people practicing outside of the scope of the College in BC are not regulated as such, but they are trained and certified in a particular type of massage. Tpically, other practitioners utilize designations such as Shiatsu practitioner, Certified Aromatherapist, Aromatherapy Massage Practitioner, Reflexologist, Relaxation Massage, Acupressurist, etc.
Massage Therapy Associations
Something else you should do is contact the professional massage therapy organizations or associations regarding their membership requirements. Though voluntary in nature, a professional association establishes a code of ethics and standard of professionalism for a particular massage practice, and they also offer continuing education courses, information about professional liability, and on-going up-to-date information for their membership.
Massage Therapy Certification
Getting a massage certificate requires that you attend a particular program or course of study. Upon completion of a program, you become certified. Most schools provide their students with hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge, as well as provide you with material on ethics and standards of professionalism, and how to build a professional practice.
The next step in deciding which school is right for you, has a lot to do with knowing the kind of person that you are. Check out Part 2 Massage Therapy School.
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5. Registered Massage Therapist
© Copyright, Sylvia Carlson 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
