The NCBTMB's Certification Program Exceeds National Standards
Accreditation status renewed for five years
Some of your students might wonder, "What is the National Certification Program and why should I be Nationally Certified?" or even "Who is the National Certification Board accountable to?" The National Certification Program was developed to provide massage therapists and bodywork practitioners with a credential that promotes their status and credibility in the profession. This nationally recognized program evaluates and attests to the core skills, abilities, knowledge and attributes of its practitioners. Individuals who have earned the NCTMB credential demonstrate to their peers, employers and consumers that they are accountable to high standards of professional practice by upholding the Code of Ethics.
How about the National Certification Program itself? Who is reviewing the NCBTMB? Who has investigated the credibility and integrity of the National Certification Examination (NCE)?
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is an independent organization that helps ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through their accreditation program. A variety of certification programs or organizations that assess professional competency (like the NCBTMB) can achieve NCCA accreditation status by demonstrating compliance with their rigorous standards, which exceed the requirements set forth by the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Currently, the NCBTMB is one of only 38 national certifying organizations accredited by the NCCA. The NCBTMB achieved its first NCCA accreditation in 1993 for a five-year period, which is the maximum allowable time frame for accreditation status. The commission recently renewed the NCBTMB's accreditation status for an additional five-year period.
The purpose of the NCCA accreditation program is to help inform the public in identifying qualified professionals for a wide variety of services and professional disciplines by determining that the certifying organization has operated in accordance with standards that emphasize objectivity, fairness, and competence. The commission awards accreditation status to those certifying organizations that can provide evidence of compliance through documentation. In addition, the commission monitors the certifying organization's continuing compliance with the NCCA standards throughout the accreditation period. The commission grants accreditation status after a thorough review by a panel of individuals from various professions who are dedicated to the certification and licensure process. This peer review process works to:
Establish accreditation standards;
Evaluate compliance with the standards;
Recognize organizations/programs which demonstrate compliance; and
  Serve as a resource on quality certification.

The commission's national standards are widely recognized by professionals who are interested in competency measurement as a mark of quality in certification. Courts have used NCCA's standards in adjudicating certification cases, and some state boards look specifically for an exam that is accredited by the NCCA and has met its national standards. No other national accreditation body for private certification programs in all disciplines exists.
By achieving the accreditation status, the NCBTMB has demonstrated compliance with the NCCA standards, and is meeting the highest national standards of quality for a certifying organization currently available.
Roy Swift, PhD, is a board member for the Council on Licensure Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR), which is an association of individuals who work with licensing boards and are committed to bringing people together to increase the quality of the licensure process. He said that by achieving NCCA accreditation status, the NCBTMB is "increasing their credibility with the licensure world," and providing a "validation from an objective third party that things are being done according to national standards."
Christine Niero, PhD, Executive Director of the NCBTMB said that nationally certified practitioners "can be glad that the NCCA recognizes the NCE. It tells the public that the NCB is committed to following the standards and criteria set to ensure the best practices in certification. We've met their strict guidelines. We are accountable. We follow their criteria. By doing so, we show fairness in testing, we represent fairness to the public, and integrity on the part of the NCB."
For more information about the NCCA and its standards, visit their web site at www.noca.org.

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Certification Corner
Can the name on my certificate be different from the name on my application?
No. Your name will appear on your certificate exactly how it appears on the application form. It is imperative that all documentation bear the same name as the identification you will show the testing center on examination day. The testing center will not allow you admittance to the examination if your identification does not match what is recorded in the computer.
If the name on your official school transcript and diploma/certificate of completion is different than your photo identification, you must provide NCBTMB with a copy of the name change verification. Acceptable pieces of documentation include a copy of a marriage or divorce certificate, legal name change affidavit, etc.

What is a notarized copy of my diploma/certificate of completion?
One of the required pieces of documentation to become eligible to sit for the national certification examination is the diploma or certificate of completion that your school issues to you upon graduation. You have worked hard for that documentation and NCBTMB does not want you to submit the original, so we ask for a notarized copy. To ensure that the document you send to NCBTMB is an "exact" copy of the original, it must be taken to a notary public to be marked with a seal and signature from the notary attesting that the two documents are identical. Notary public's can be found just about anywhere - banks, real estate offices, etc. Check your local yellow pages for a notary public in your area.

What is the difference between an official transcript and a notarized copy of my certificate of completion?
The official transcript denotes the school program in detail. It must include the school's information and seal, title of all courses taken, hours completed, grades earned, a date and authorized signature of the school administrator. This is the original document bearing a raised school seal (no photocopies). If you wish to keep an official transcript for your records, your school can provide you with additional official transcripts– usually for a nominal fee.
The certificate of completion is a certificate that shows you graduated from a program. Most schools will only provide each graduate with one diploma or certificate of completion. That is why NCBTMB requires that the document be notarized to ensure that it is an exact reproduction of the original.
For further information regarding the information above or other eligibility issues, please consult your Candidate Handbook or you may contact the NCBTMB Eligibility Department at (703) 610-9015.

Here is an example of a preferred type of official transcript and the pertinet information NCBTMB looks for:

1. School name, address and phone number
2. Official school seal or logo
3. Start and ending/graduation dates
4. Authorized and dated signature of administrator/ director
5. Course title, hours and grade

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Approved Provider Corner
Search for a Course On-Line at www.ncbtmb.com
Looking for a specific type of continuing education course? Tired of looking though all of the NCBTMB Approved Providers for that course? Now, NCB has made it easier for you to locate a Category A Approved Provider!
The NCBTMB Approved Provider program has experienced tremendous growth over the past two years. With that growth came a need for a more efficient way to access the provider's information on the NCBMTB web site. In July, all 404 NCBTMB Approved Providers were asked to provide updates of their web site address, e-mail address, and a list of continuing education courses currently being offered.
In mid-October, the "new and improved" web page for the approved providers went on-line! This new section of the NCBTMB web page allows someone to enter specific search criteria and obtain a list of courses and provider information instantaneously. You can search by state, by provider name, or by course subject.
We want to thank all the providers for their patience and assistance during this transistion period. NCBTMB staff will be updating the web site, on a monthly basis, with any new courses or web links that providers send. Please check the web site to make sure that the information about your course is correct and current. You can contact Kelly Koteen at 703/610-0215 or by email at kkoteen@ncbtmb.com with changes or updates.

Renewal Applications
All Approved Providers will receive a renewal application six months prior to their expiration date. It takes 10-12 weeks to review an application, so please remember to allow ample time submitting the renewal application for review by the Continuing Education Provider Review Panel.

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Are You Current in Our Database?
The National Certification Board makes every effort to keep the most current mailing address of its stakeholders. However, we need your help to do so. The number of returned copies of this newsletter continues to drop, thanks to your assistance. We ask that you continue to contact us when your address changes. To insure that we are able to make your address change properly, it is important for you to leave your Social Security number when calling in or
e-mailing address changes. Don't forget to also update your phone, fax, e-mail and web site information. To update your address information, call Mary Downes at (703) 610- 0238 or by e-mail: mdownes@ncbtmb.com.
Please remind your graduates who have applied to NCBTMB to keep current information on file as NCBTMB receives many candidate eligibility letters back from the post office marked "undeliverable" or "Moved- no forwarding information available". It is important for the candidate to keep us informed so they do not miss their eligibility window to test.

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Let Us Introduce You...
As the National Certification Board grows so does the work its staff does on your behalf. We take this opportunity to introduce you to the members of the NCB team, and to give you a profile of what we do:

Christine D. Niero, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Responsibilities: Oversees all functions and operations of the NCBTMB, and is
chief staff liaison to the Board of Directors.

Amy Frey (Breen), Eligibility Manager, Ext. 239, E-mail: afrey@ncbtmb.com
Responsibilities: Oversees the entire eligibility program, processes portfolio review applications, and is staff liaison to the Eligibility Committee and the Standards and Ethics Committee.

Beth Danner, Marketing & Communications Manager, Ext. 236,
E-mail: bdanner@ncbtmb.com    
Responsibilities: Oversees all of the marketing and communications aspects
for NCB including all print media, internal and external communications, Web site maintenance, and is the staff liaison to the Communications Committee.

Paul F. Parker, III, Exam Manager,     Ext. 226, E-mail: pparker@ncbtmb.com    
Responsibilities: Oversees the examination process, coordinates test development activities, serves as contact with the testing company, and is staff liaison to the Exam Committee and the Regulatory/Legislative Committee.

Kelly Koteen, Recertification and Continuing Education Manager, Ext. 215, E-mail: kkoteen@ncbtmb.com     
Responsibilities: Oversees the recertification process and the approved provider process for Category A and is the staff liaison to the Recertification Committee and to the Continuing Education Provider Review Panel.

Tawnya Hartman, Recertification Coordinator, Ext. 235, E-mail: thartman@ ncbtmb.com
Responsibilities: Reviews, processes, and tracks recertification applications, provides correspondence to candidates about their status, processes continuing education applications, and mails certificates to recertified certificants.

Rochelle Jones, Eligibility Coordinator, Ext. 234, E-mail: rjones@ncbtmb.com    
Responsibilities: Reviews and processes traditional applications, sends eligibility status letters, tracks number of eligible/ non-eligible candidates, and handles extensions and cancellations.

Mary Downes, General Information Coordinator, Ext. 238, E-mail: mdownes@ ncbtmb.com
Responsibilities: Handles all incoming mail, answers telephone, voice mail, and e-mail inquiries, mails requested candidate applications, processes address corrections, and facilitates certificate mailings for new certificants.

Currently Vacant, General Information Coordinator/Administrative Assistant, Ext. 281
Responsibilities: Handles general telephone inquiries, voice mail and e-mail questions, mails candidate applications, makes address corrections, and provides assistance to the Executive Director.

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Additional Copies of Emerging Standards Available
Do you frequently find yourself looking for your copy of this newsletter in order to answer a student's question? NCBTMB can provide additional copies of this newsletter to your school free of charge. You may request additional copies of the newsletter for all of your students, other faculty members or to have multiple postings in your school. To receive extra issues, contact Beth Danner, Marketing & Communications Manager at 703-610-0236 or via e-mail at bdanner@ncbtmb.com. Please include number of copies requested, mailing address for copies to be sent, contact information for person placing order, and state if you would like this to be a standing request.

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States Utilizing/ Recognizing the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic
Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB)

Please note that while these twenty-two states currently utilize the NCETMB, either by statute or in rule, all states do not regulate massage therapists and bodyworkers by licensure.
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia currently regulate massage therapists/bodyworkers.
In states that do not currently regulate massage and bodywork, large cities and counties often utilize the NCETMB in their local ordinances.

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Is there a difference between someone who is licensed, certified or registered?*
Absolutely. It is often difficult to determine the distinction between these three terms as many people use them interchangeably when speaking about credentials.

Licensure-
generally refers to the mandatory governmental requirement necessary to practice in a particular profession or occupation. The intent of licensure is to directly protect the public from incompetent practitioners. This is the most restrictive of the three processes.

Certification-
a voluntary process instituted by a non-governmental agency in which individuals are recognized for advanced knowledge and skill. The intent of certification is to inform the public that individuals who have achieved certification have demonstrated a particular degree of knowledge and skill.

Registration-
normally a mandatory process that only requires individuals to apply for the title through the appropriate governmental or private agency. This is the least restrictive form of credentialing most often used when public protection is less critical.

* Information contained in this article was obtained from and can be found in the following reference: National Organization for Competency Assurance, (1996), “Certification, A NOCA Handbook,” Washington, DC: Author.

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What Happens To My Application Once I Mail It?

First 2 Weeks
Application goes to the bank and NCB's accounting department.Then staff receives applications in batches from accounting.

Weeks 3-4
Staff mails applicant the receipt of application verification form on the same day we receive application.

Staff reviews each application and verifies all documentation. Approximately 25-35 applications are reviewed each day.

Eligibility is determined and applicant information is entered in the database.

Weeks 4-6
Eligible Candidates:
Applicants will receive a letter of eligibility containing the testing window and testing reservation information.

Candidates will have 3 months to make test reservation and take the examination.

Denied Candidates:
Applicants will receive a letter of denial. The letter will state the items missing from the application or the reason the application was denied. If you receive a letter of denial, the process may be delayed beyond 4-6 weeks.

Tips To Follow To Minimizing Your Chance of Being Delayed
1. Send application, documentation and payment directly to the bank address.
2. Enclose official school transcript (no photocopies).
3. Enclose notarized copy of your certificate or diploma.
4. Complete and sign the application form.

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Incomplete Applications
All incomplete applications will be denied eligibility. Official school transcripts MUST accompany your application for eligibility. Schools concerned with security problems may issue their transcript to students in a sealed envelope.
Please Note: sending your application by express mail, federal express or other overnight carriers will not speed the application process. All money must be processed at another site first. Therefore, sending applications to the office only slows down the process.
Ensure your application process goes smoothly, check for these commonly missed items:
Completed application form
Payment by credit card, money order, personal checks or certified check
Official transcript (original issued by school)
Notarized copy of certificate or diploma

Please send completed applications to:   
NCBTMB
Attention: Eligibility Dept.
c/o First Union Bank
PO Box 85080-4331
Richmond, VA 23285-4331

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Attention Happy Holidays!!
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork office will be CLOSED during the following times:
November 25 - Thanksgiving Day
December 24-Janury 3* - Holiday Vacation
*NCBTMB will close at 5:00pm on December 23 and will remain closed until 8:30am January 3, 2000.

ASI, Inc. -
NCBTMB's testing company will be CLOSED during the following times:
November 25 - Thanksgiving Day - test and reservation centers closed
December 25 - Christmas Day - test and reservation centers closed
December 31 - January 7 - test centers closed
January 3-7, 2000
reservation centers open to schedule appointments only. There is no testing during this time.

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Calendar of Events

NCBTMB
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
703-610-9015 … 703-610-9005
1-800-296-0664 (totally automated line)
e-mail: mdownes@ncbtmb.com