Massage Therapy: New Brunswick Registration Process

To become a registered massage therapist in New Brunswick, you must meet the requirements set by the College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB). This includes graduating from an accredited massage therapy program, gaining acceptance to attempt College exams, and performing well on both practical and theoretical assessments. Additionally, maintaining registration may involve fulfilling continuing education requirements and adhering to professional standards.

Graduate from an accredited massage therapy program

To become a registered massage therapist in New Brunswick, you must graduate from an accredited massage therapy program. The Association of New Brunswick Massage Therapists (ANBMT) is a not-for-profit organisation that represents massage therapists in the province. The ANBMT has rigorous standards for admission, and members must graduate from a school with a curriculum accepted by a province with provincially legislated standards for practice.

The College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB) regulates the profession of massage therapy in the province. The CMTNB requires that all applicants be graduates of a course that offers complete training in accordance with the Competency Standards and Performance Indicators.

There are several massage therapy schools in New Brunswick that offer accredited programs. These include:

• Atlantic College of Therapeutic Massage in Fredericton
• Kine-Concept Institute in Fredericton
• Collège Atlantique de Massage Thérapeutique in Dieppe
• Eastern College Massage Therapy in Saint John and Moncton
• ICT Schools in Moncton

The programs offered by these schools typically range from 88 weeks to 18 months in duration and include a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical training, and clinical experience. For example, the program at Eastern College includes 440 clinical hours for hands-on training. The curriculum covers a range of topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, ethics, and professionalism.

Upon graduation from an accredited massage therapy program, individuals will have developed the understanding and skills needed to secure a full-time job as a registered massage therapist.

Pass the practical and theory exams

To pass the practical and theory exams for massage therapy in New Brunswick, you must successfully graduate from an acceptable massage therapy education program. Massage therapy programs in Canada typically range from 2,200 to 3,000 hours of study, including theoretical knowledge, practical training, and clinical experience.

The practical exam will test your hands-on skills in performing massage therapy techniques, while the theory exam will assess your understanding of the underlying principles and concepts of massage therapy.

To prepare for the practical exam, practice and master various massage techniques, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, or sports massage. Develop your skills in assessing a client's needs and determining the appropriate treatment plan. Familiarize yourself with different types of equipment and tools used in massage therapy, such as massage tables, oils, and creams.

For the theory exam, ensure you have a strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Study the effects of massage on the body systems, the indications and contraindications for massage therapy, and the benefits of different techniques. Additionally, gain knowledge of professional ethics, communication skills, and health and safety regulations, as these topics are also likely to be covered in the theory exam.

Remember that the specific format and content of the exams may vary, so be sure to review the requirements and guidelines provided by the College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB) or other relevant regulatory bodies. It is important to stay updated with any changes or updates to the exam curriculum.

By thoroughly preparing for both the practical and theory exams, you will be well on your way to becoming a registered massage therapist in New Brunswick.

Join the College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB)

To become a registered massage therapist in New Brunswick, you must join the College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB). The CMTNB is a not-for-profit organization established by the province of New Brunswick to advance and maintain the standard of massage therapy in the region. It is responsible for governing and regulating massage therapy services and providing for the welfare of its members.

To join the CMTNB, you must first successfully graduate from an acceptable massage therapy education program. Massage therapy programs in Canada typically range from 2,200 to 3,000 hours of study, including theoretical knowledge, practical training, and clinical experience. After graduating, you must gain acceptance to attempt the CMTNB college exams, which consist of a practical exam and a theory and knowledge exam.

Once you have passed the CMTNB exams, you can apply for membership with the CMTNB. As a member of the CMTNB, you will be expected to uphold the standards and ethics of the profession. The CMTNB has measures in place to address illegal practitioners and protect the public interest, including legal consequences for those found using protected titles illegally.

In addition to joining the CMTNB, there are other requirements to practice as a registered massage therapist in New Brunswick. You must submit the required documentation, which typically includes proof of graduation from a recognized massage therapy program, a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search, proof of eligibility to work in Canada, professional liability insurance, and proof of Standard or Emergency First Aid and CPR/AED certification. International applicants may also need to provide an International Education Credential Evaluation and pass a Competency Equivalency Exam.

Fulfil continuing education requirements

To maintain your registration as a massage therapist in New Brunswick, you must fulfil continuing education requirements. The College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB) defines continuing education as:

> any learning experience, post-graduation, which directly relates to massage therapy and enhances a massage therapist's skill or practice. The CMTNB respects a massage therapist's right to develop in their own unique direction and, therefore, this learning experience may include, but is not limited to: courses, workshops, conferences or self-study.

The CMTNB requires that you complete a minimum of 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during each three-year cycle. CEUs are calculated at one CEU for every two hours of professional learning. A minimum of 20 CEUs must relate to competencies or modalities identified in Category A, which are directly related to the Scope of Practice and the Core Competencies. The remaining 10 CEUs may correspond to Category A or Category B activities. Category B modalities are complementary to massage therapy and are not considered part of a massage therapist's scope of practice.

The CMTNB must approve each workshop or course offered in relation to activities in Category A. Courses approved by the College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CMTNL), College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC), and College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) will also be recognised by the CMTNB. However, as credit hours may vary, it is advised to verify with the CMTNB before registering for a course.

Adhere to professional standards

To adhere to professional standards as a massage therapist in New Brunswick, you must be a member in good standing of the College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB). The CMTNB is a regulatory body that ensures massage therapists meet certain qualifications and adhere to a set of rules and standards to ensure the safety and well-being of their clients.

The CMTNB requires that all applicants be graduates of a course that offers complete training in accordance with the Competency Standards and Performance Indicators. The specific standards are called the Inter-Jurisdictional Practice Competencies and Performance Indicators for Massage Therapists at Entry-to-Practice. These standards are continually evaluated and updated.

To maintain your registration with the CMTNB, you must fulfill any continuing education requirements and adhere to professional standards. This includes gaining successful participation and completion of at least 10 hours of approved focused advanced study per year.

In addition, to practice Massage Therapy in Canada, there are certain requirements that must be met:

• Complete a program in massage therapy from an accredited school.
• Submit required documentation to the Massage Therapy College (in a regulated province) or Massage Therapy Association (in unregulated provinces and territories).
• Obtain professional liability insurance (PLI).
• Fulfill any requirements for continuing education.
• Understand the Massage Therapy Regulatory Framework in your Province.

Frequently asked questions