NCBTMB Statement Regarding Continuing Education
OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois (April 30, 2012) – As previously announced,
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)
is rolling out a slate of products and services that individually and cumulatively will
advance the standards in the massage and bodywork profession. We have
reviewed the feedback given by the AMTA and the AFMTE regarding the
Maintenance of Core Competence (MOCC) Program Proposal, and share some
of their concerns as the proposal appears to advocate for an overall minimum
level of required continuing education. At this time in the advancement of our
profession, it does not benefit state regulators, licensed massage therapists,
nationally certified therapists, massage schools, approved providers or the public
to adopt minimal continuing education standards.
NCBTMB, wholeheartedly advocates for professional development through quality
lifelong learning. It has always been our practice to require continuing education
as part of the recertification process. It demonstrates a commitment to further
development of necessary knowledge and skills to practice safely, competently
and effectively. To be effective, continuing education, be it at a licensing or
certification level, must include training beyond the minimum skill set advocated in
the MOCC.
To that end, our new Continuing Education/Approved Provider Program is being
designed on feedback from leaders in the profession. The program will specifically
review the qualifications of all instructors and course content to ensure that
continuing education is held to increasing standards and that it is provided by
qualified instructors who have the background, training and expertise to provide
attendees a valuable learning experience. This program design offers many
opportunities for collaboration within the stakeholder community to assure that the
needs of the profession are met.
We hope that in the near future the FSMTB, after reviewing the consistent
comments from the profession, will release an addendum to address those
concerns.
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