How to become a Registered Massage Therapist in Canada. Rules and regulations by province.
This page shows how to become a Registered Massage Therapist in Canada. Rules and regulations by province. The profession of Massage Therapy is regulated in British Columbia, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The regulatory bodies are responsible for setting the competency requirements for entry into the profession, for issuing certificates of registration to those who meet established standards of qualifications and practice, and for ensuring that they continue to maintain the standards.
In the other provinces and territories, employment is subject to demand, and qualifications requirements are set by individual employers. However, employers may still require a diploma from an accredited school and membership in the appropriate provincial professional association. Membership is available but voluntary in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Ontario
In Ontario the Massage Therapy profession is regulated. Find more at:
College of Massage Therapist of Ontario
CMTO is the regulatory body for Massage Therapists in Ontario. You need to be registered with the College in order to be able to use the title Massage Therapist or the french equivalent. If you want to issue receipts accepted by the insurance companies you also need to become a member of the College. The Colege requires around 2000 hours of theory and practice of massage techniques and anatomy. Massage therapist trained outside of the province must apply for Evaluation of Credentials.
Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario
RMTAO, (used to be OMTA), is a voluntary proffesional association.
Quebec
At the moment there are no regulations.
It is highly recommended to join one of the Proffesional Associations. Being part of Massage Association will allow you as a Massage Practitioner to give receipts to your clients and the receipt is accepted by most of the insurance companies in the province.
Quebec’s important Massage Associations:
Association canadienne des thérapeutes en médecines douces
Association des massothérapeutes du Québec
Association professionnelle des massothérapeutes spécialisés du Québec
Fédération québécoise des massothérapeutes (FQM)
The Associations will only accept you as a member if you make proof of a minimum education in a Massage School.
British Columbia
In BC the Massage Therapy profession is regulated. Find more at:
College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia
Alberta:
Massage therapist is not a regulated health profession in Alberta.
Some municipalities require massage therapists to be licensed under local bylaws or to provide an annual police security clearance.
Alberta’s important Massage Associations:
Massage Therapists Association of Alberta (MTAA)
There are plans to regulate Massage practice in the province.
Manitoba:
Massage therapy is not a regulated profession in Manitoba and it is not mandatory to register with the Massage Therapists Association of Manitoba. However, membership is strongly recommended for employment opportunities, insurance acceptance and liability insurance.
To register with ythe MTAM you need to complete at least 2200 hours of instruction in a massage therapy school and have obtained a massage diploma. Minimum 75% grades are required and CPR training.
Alberta’s important Massage Associations:
Massage Therapists Association of Manitoba
Saskatchewan:
Massage Therapy is not regulated in Saskatchewan.
The main massage practitioners’ association in provonce is Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan, Inc.
The association requires the members to:
New massage therapy graduates in Saskatchewan must have a minimum education level of 2,200 hours.
New graduates and therapists from other provinces must pass written and practical Board exams to be able to become a practicing member of MTAS.
Nova Scotia :
Massage practice is not regulated in Nova Scotia.
Massage Therapists Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) is a self governing body of massage therapists. MTANS has six levels of membership with varying levels of allowances, privileges, and dues. To become a member of MTANS, an applicant must meet the minimum requirements to take the entrance exams.
New Brunswick :
There are no regulations for New Brunswick.
New Brunswick Massotherapy Association (NBMA) is the province’s main organization of massage therapists.
Newfoundland and Labrador:
In Newfoundland and Labrador the Massage Therapy profession is regulated. You must pass a registration examination in order to become a Registered Massage Therapist in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Massage regulatory body:
College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador
Prince Edward Island:
There are no regulation for practicing massage therapy in PEI.
If you wish, you can join the Prince Edward Island Massage Therapy Association.
Here are their rules about membership:
– Applicants must have successfully completed 2200 hours of Massage Therapy education at an Association approved school of Massage Therapy, or equivalent competency.
– Applicants must have successfully completed the College Board Exams in a province where Massage Therapy is legislated.
– Applicants must have a valid Basic Level First Aid/CPR certificate.