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Recertification Requirements
All recertification will be accomplished through the online Career Management System. If you have not already done so, you will need to create an account on our Career Management System.
National Certification (Retired after Dec. 31, 2012)
Note that the National Certification credential was retired as of December 31, 2012; if you recertified this credential before that date, it can be maintained through the earlier of your expiration date or December 31, 2016.
Current Nationally Certified Practitioners will need to transition into the new Board Certification by their expiration date.
The requirements to transition are as follows:
- 750 Hours of total education. This would be your Massage Therapy Program hours added to the continuing education you have completed since you became certified.
- 250 hours of hands on work experience. The work experience can be used since the time you became certified.
- Maintain a CPR Certification.
Once you have transitioned and become Board Certified you will need to follow the Board Certification Recertification requirements.
Recertification is a vital part of how we maintain the ongoing integrity of the NCBTMB credential and you affirm your commitment to lifelong learning, an essential component. NCBTMB Board Certified practitioners must renew their certification every two years.
Board Recertification Requirements
To recertify as a Board Certified Massage Therapist, practitioners must:
- Pass a thorough national background check
-
Maintain a current CPR certification
- Hours for CPR training may not be counted toward your 24 hours of Continuing Education required for recertification
- Re-affirm commitment to the NCBTMB Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
- Re-affirm commitment to the NCBTMB Anti-Trafficking Pledge
- Complete 100 hours of documented hands-on experience
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Complete 24 hours of Continuing Education classes:
- 3 hours of the 24 hours must be in research
- No more than 4 hours of the 24 hours may be in self-care
- No more than 4 hours of the 24 hours may be in courses less than 2 credits
- Ethics courses are no longer required as part of the 24 hours
You may submit your 24 continuing education and 100 hours of work experience for recertification up to one year prior to your certification expiration date.
Hands-on Experience Opportunities
The 100 hours of hands-on experience required for recertification can include the following:
- Massage Therapy and/or Bodywork (all types, includes Energy work)
- Volunteerism
- Administration
- Teaching/Teaching Assistant
- Curriculum Development
- Writing/Publishing
- Research
Board Approved Continuing Education Providers
Continuing education courses will only be accepted from an NCBTMB Approved Provider or an NCBTMB Board Approved Continuing Education Provider. Search for NCBTMB Board-Approved CE Providers by number, name, title, keyword, state or category.