My Credentials
Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork is the highest voluntary credential a massage therapist can obtain within the profession—it is above and beyond entry level state licensure. By becoming Board Certified, I represent a community of therapists who have gone above standard educational and work experience requirements with a dedicated and lifelong commit to continuing education. Furthermore, I live up to higher standards and ethics in alignment with The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
To achieve my Board Certification, I provided proof of a minimum of 750 hours of education, 250 hours of professional, hands-on work experience, passed a criminal background check, agreed to uphold NCBTMB's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, and passed the Board Certification Exam. By passing the BCETMB and meeting all requirements, I demonstrate advanced assessment and critical thinking skills, as well as a commitment to excellence. I wear the credentials BCTMB with pride for myself, my profession, and, most importantly, my clients.
New York State Licensed LMT
NY State is still ( as of 2017) one of two states that requires 1000 hours of education in massage therapy before someone is eligible to sit for the NY State exam. Other states require 750 to 500 hours of massage therapy education.
To meet the professional education requirement for licensure, in NY state one must:
- Complete high school or its equivalent and graduate from a school or institute of massage therapy with a program registered by the New York State Education Department* as licensure qualifying, or its substantial equivalent in both subject matter or extent of training, provided that the program in such school or institute shall consist of classroom instruction with a total of not less than 1000 hours in specific subjects satisfactory to the Department.
- Complete coursework in anatomy, physiology, neurology, myology or kinesiology, pathology, hygiene, first aid, CPR, infection control procedures, the chemical ingredients of products that are used and their effects, as well as the theory, technique and practice of both oriental and western massage/bodywork therapy. Within the 1000 hours of education, you will have had to complete a minimum of 150 hours of practice on a person.
Continued Education
Since I have maintained my national massage therapy license along with state licensing I have had to full fill continuing education requirements long before it was state mandated. As of June 2017 I have added 203 hours of massage related education to my initial 1000 hours.
For each license renewal cycle (every 2 years) I am required to complete a minimum of 24 continuing educations hours and maintain a CPR certification.
PA State Licensed Massage Therapist
The State of Pennsylvania requires a minimum of 600 hours of massage therapy education and have passed a national licensing examination.
Pennsylvania requires massage therapists to complete 24 CEs every 2 years for license renewal, of which 4 CEs must be in Ethics and 2 CEs in Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. Massage therapists must also be certified in CPR, which should be current in the renewal period, and counts for 0 CEs.
Pennsylvania requires 16 hands on (live) CE classes to fulfill licensure requirements – 8 CE hours may be taken online or by mail.