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Recertification FAQ
- Who does the recertification program affect?
- Where can I get current information about recertification?
- How can I get a hard copy of the current Recertification Handbook?
- Can I apply online?
- Why were ten (10) options created?
- What is the cost to recertify?
- What if I’ve lapsed? What’s the total fee due?
- How can I find courses offered by NCBTMB Approved Providers?
- Can I carry over hours into my next recertification cycle?
- Can ethics hours be carried over?
- If I cannot carry over ethics hours into my next cycle, can these hours still count for my current recertification cycle?
- How many home study hours can I submit for recertification?
- Can I submit courses that were once referred to as “Category B” courses?
- Do AIDS courses count as part of my six (6) required ethics hours?
- Would blood born pathogens courses be appropriate for continuing education?
- What would HIPPA courses fall under?
- Can CPR and first aid courses taken from Red Cross, hospitals, hospice organizations, etc. count?
- Can I submit academic courses for continuing education hours?
- Can I submit continuing education hours for writing a book or contributing to the publication of a book?
- Can herbal or nutritional courses count?
- Will I get audited?
- What about state regulations relating to NCBTMB continuing education requirements?
- What to do if your certificate was damaged destroyed or lost.
- What to do if your name was spelled incorrectly on your certificate.
- What to do if you’ve recently married/divorced and need a name change on your certificate.
- What to do if you want an additional/duplicate certificate.
- How do I have my scores transferred to my state board?
- How can I check the status of my score report?
- Explain home study/cognitive and home study/kinesthetic.
a) Who does the recertification program affect?
The program affects all nationally certified practitioners. NCBTMB requires the recertification of nationally certified practitioners every four years to maintain national certification status. The current recertification program is mandatory for nationally certified practitioners who acquired national certification status as of January 1, 2003 and who are eligible to recertify in 2007. Note: the Recertification Committee is working on simplifying this application. Until then, certificants due to expire in 2007 must use the current recertification application. (back)
b) Where can I get current information about recertification?
In addition to the information provided on this website, you can click here to access a pdf of the Recertification Handbook. (back)
c) How can I get a hard copy of the current Recertification Handbook?
Call 1-888-802-6600 and request that Publication #685 – the Recertification Handbook – be mailed to you. Click here to order one online or click here to access a pdf of the Recertification Handbook. (back)
d) Can I apply online?
Yes! Click here to access the online Recertification Application. Keep in mind that you must have a valid Visa or Mastercard to complete the online application. (back)
e) Why were ten (10) options created?
The recertification program was revised to stay current with national trends in certification that focus on continued competence, not just continuing education. The program was redesigned to keep NCBTMB certification at the forefront of the therapeutic massage and bodywork field.
The redesign of the recertification program was also a response to the needs of NCBTMB certificants. In many cases, the former program didn’t fit their lifestyles or resources. In order to help practitioners recertify more easily, NCBTMB designed program options that allow certificants to recertify on their own time, budget and schedule.
To be more accommodating and flexible, NCBTMB designed ten (10) recertification options for certificants to choose from, including academic course work, obtaining a college degree, state and national presentations, clinical training, serving in a state or national leadership position, and self-assessment/self study. Note: the Recertification Committee is currently working on simplifying this application further. Until then, certificants that expire in 2007 must use the current recertification application. (back)
f) What is the cost to recertify?
The application fee is $125. (back)
g) What if I’ve lapsed? What’s the total fee due?
Lapsed 1 year = $175
Lapsed 2 years = $200
Lapsed beyond 3 years requires applicant to apply as a new candidate. (back)
h) How can I find courses offered by NCBTMB Approved Providers?
Click here to search for Approved Providers and course titles that meet NCBTMB requirements. (back)
i) Can I carry over hours into my next recertification cycle?
Yes! Certificants often take more than the required number of continuing education hours needed during a four-year recertification cycle. NCBTMB permits certificants to carry over a maximum of twelve (12) continuing education credit hours from one recertification cycle to the next.
In order for hours to be carried over, certificants need to include a pre-approval request when they submit their recertification application. Pre-approval may be obtained by submitting a Verification of Continuing Education form (click here to access it).
Once received, the requested carry-over hours are reviewed and either accepted or denied. If approval to carry over is given, the certificant will receive their verification form marked as approved. Please note that this form must be kept by the certificant and submitted with his/her next recertification submission. (back)
j) Can ethics hours be carried over?
No, you must take six (6) ethics hours during each four-year cycle. Two of your ethics hours must be in Standard V: Roles and Boundaries. (back)
k) If I cannot carry over ethics hours into my next cycle, can these hours still count for my current recertification cycle?
Yes. You are required to submit a total of forty-eight (48) continuing education hours, six (6) of which must be in ethics. Any extra ethics hours you may have can count towards the remaining forty-two (42) required hours for your current recertification cycle. (back)
l) How many home study hours can I submit for recertification?
All forty-eight (48) hours can be taken from home study courses. (back)
m) Can I submit courses that were once referred to as “Category B” courses?
Certificants scheduled to recertify in 2007, 2008 and 2009 may very well have taken a course referred to as a “Category B” course during the years 2003, 2004 and 2005. Certificants who completed “Category B” courses during the years 2003, 2004 or 2005 are encouraged to submit these continuing education hours. Only courses that fall within the NCBTMB guidelines and requirements for continuing education will be accepted. Examples of unacceptable courses are ones that deal with: nutrition, herbs, diagnosis of any kind, exercise programs for clients, hypnosis techniques, etc. Note: “Category B” courses taken after December 31, 2005 will not be accepted for recertification. (back)
n) Do AIDS courses count as part of my six (6) required ethics hours?
No, but these hours can count toward your remaining forty-two (42) hours. (back)
o) Would blood born pathogens courses be appropriate for continuing education?
Yes. These courses would be appropriate hours towards your forty-two (42) hours. (back)
p) What would HIPPA courses fall under?
HIPPA courses fall under the ethics requirement. (back)
q) Can CPR and first aid courses taken from Red Cross, hospitals, hospice organizations, etc. count?
Yes. You can submit these hours, but only once per four-year recertification cycle. You are encouraged to submit a photocopy of your current first aid and/or CPR certificate(s) with your application. (back)
r) Can I submit academic courses for continuing education hours?
If you have completed academic courses or an education, business or health-related degree from an accredited institution or agency, submit an official transcript along with Option 3, found in the Recertification Handbook. Health-related degree examples include: Ayurvedic, nursing, PT, naturopathic.
All submissions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to identify only the courses that are appropriate and within the scope of practice for massage therapy and bodywork. Maximum hours attainable = 30 CE hours. (back)
s) Can I submit continuing education hours for writing a book or contributing to the publication of a book?
Yes, you can. If you have written a book or contributed to the publication of a book, e.g., as an illustrator, editor, reviewer, consultant or researcher, you may use Option 9, found in the Recertification Handbook. Submit a copy of the published work and tab/indicate the credit page or provide documentation with company/publisher letterhead stating your contribution. One publication per four-year recertification cycle is permissible. Maximum hours attainable = 10 CE hours. (back)
t) Can herbal or nutritional courses count?
Such courses can be submitted, but only if the course was taught for self/personal professional growth and not to prescribe/diagnose clients. Diagnosing and prescribing are not within NCBTMB’s policy as appropriate conduct for massage therapy and bodywork.
If you submit a course from an NCBTMB Approved Provider that was submitted, reviewed and accepted, the course will be posted on our website. If a provider lists a nutrition or herbal course in their literature but the course is not listed on our website, the provider could be going through their own renewal process, with courses being reviewed by a peer review committee. To fulfill your NCBTMB recertification hours, it is recommended that you not take courses until you are assured the course is acceptable and will count towards your required recertification. (back)
u) Will I get audited?
Audits are generated randomly. It is recommended that you save your certificates of completion or achievement awarded for continuing education from NCBTMB Approved Providers. You will be requested to submit proof of completing forty-eight (48) continuing education hours and 200 hands-on work experience hours. (back)
v) What about state regulations relating to NCBTMB continuing education requirements?
Because each state requires their own continuing education standards, NCBTMB’s continuing education standards may or may not reflect those of the state. It is important to check with your state agency regarding their requirements. While your state’s standards may match NCBTMB, you must acquire that information from the state. (back)
w) What to do if your certificate was damaged destroyed or lost.
Send the damaged certificate to the address listed below and it will be replaced. If your certificate was destroyed or lost due to a natural disaster or unforeseen misfortune, please send a written statement (dated and signed) to the same address, explaining your situation, and a replacement will be sent to you. Be sure to include your updated mailing information.
NCBTMB
Attn: Certificate Replacement Request
1901 S. Meyers Road, Suite 240
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
(back)
x) What to do if your name was spelled incorrectly on your certificate.
Return the certificate to our office with a written statement (dated and signed) containing the correct spelling. A new certificate will be issued and mailed to you. Be sure to include your updated mailing information. (back)
y) What to do if you’ve recently married/divorced and need a name change on your certificate.
Complete a Duplicate Certificate Request and include the $15 fee. A copy of the marriage/divorce certificate/license must be included with the request. (back)
z) What to do if you want an additional/duplicate certificate.
If you need more than one certificate to display in multiple locations or if you have legally changed your name, submit a Duplicate Certificate Request. (back)
aa) How do I have my scores transferred to my state board?
If the exam was taken before January 1, 2008, please follow the directions for payment and mailing – per the directions on the Official Score Report Request form – Prior to January 1, 2008. Mail directly to:
NCBTMB – Score Report Request
1901 S. Meyers Rd., Suite 240
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
If the exam was taken after January 1, 2008, please follow the directions for payment and mailing – per the directions on the Official Score Report Request form – After January 1, 2008. Mail directly to:
Pearson VUE
C/O NCBTMB Customer Service
5601 Green Valley Drive
Bloomington, MN 55437
(back)
ab) How can I check the status of my score report?
You have two options:
1. If you took your exam after January 1, 2008, simply send an email to the testing agency, Pearson VUE, at NCBTMB@pearson.com and request a status update. Be sure to include the following in your email:
- Your first and last name (as it appears on your application)
- Each state agency you are requesting your scores be sent to
- Your test date
2. If you took your exam before January 1, 2008, contact NCBTMB’s main office at (630) 627-8000 and ask to be directed to the eligibility coordinator/representative that handles score reports. (back)
ac) Explain home study/cognitive and home study/kinesthetic.
Home study/cognitive courses are correspondence courses that cover theoretical or conceptual material, i.e., ethics, business practices, anatomy, etc. This type of course only requires a written examination.
Home study/kinesthetic courses are more difficult courses to offer as correspondence courses, as participants are learning a manual skill. This type of home study course does require a practical examination with a live proctor to be provided by the Approved Provider. Participation in home study/kinesthetic courses requires participants to demonstrate competency in a manual or psychomotor skill. (Practice logs do not count). (back)
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1901 S. Meyers Rd., Ste. 240, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5243
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