NCB Chooses Chauncey to Administer Exam
The NCBTMB has selected The Chauncey Group International to develop and deliver the National Certification Examination. In addition, The Chauncey Group will conduct a job analysis study to assure that the NCE remains at the leading edge of professional practice.
    Currently, the NCBTMB tests about 15,000 professionals each year in the practice of therapeutic massage and bodywork. Since NCBTMBís inception in 1992, over 50,000 massage therapists have been certified.
    The Chauncey Group, a subsidiary of Educational Testing Service (ETS), will assist the NCBTMB in the continuing development of the computer-based NCE. Beginning in August 2002, the examination will be delivered through The Chauncey Groupís partner, Prometric, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning and a leading worldwide provider of comprehensive technology-based testing and assessment services.
    Judith Moore, President and CEO of The Chauncey Group, noted that ìthe profession of therapeutic massage and bodywork is growing rapidly every year in contributions to the health care system, in recognition, and in volume of practitioners. We look forward to providing the NCBTMB with certification services of the highest quality.î
    The NCBTMB has been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) since 1993. Christine D. Niero, Ph.D., Executive Director of the NCBTMB, said, ìWe partnered with The Chauncey Group to further our commitment to providing excellent customer service in the development and administration of the NCE. As part of our commitment, we selected a testing company that would enable the NCBTMB to utilize cutting-edge technology in test delivery while affording greater testing opportunities to our candidates.î
    The Chauncey Group International has 30 years of experience in designing, developing and administering occupational, licensure, certification and professional assessments. This industry leader has helped professionals define competencies and measure those competencies effectively and fairly. The Chauncey Group has administered certification and licensure examinations to over two million candidates via, computer-based and Internet-based testing programs, as well as by paper-and-pencil, in 60 countries over the past year. Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, The Chauncey Group also has offices in Washington, D.C, Paris, France, and Kingston, Canada. For more information, visit their web site at www.chauncey.com.

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Benefits of Becoming Nationally Certified
If you wish to consider practicing massage therapy or bodywork in more than one state, or are considering a future move, the NCTMB credential is recognized in many states that currently regulate the profession. Carrying this valuable credential can allow you more geographic mobility for practicing massage therapy or bodywork by allowing an easier means of meeting other statesí standards of acceptance.
    The NCB offers opportunities for Nationally Certified Practitioners to provide on-site massage at various national venues. The NCB is represented at many conferences, workshops, and meetings each year, and on-site massage helps to promote the National Certification Program.

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From the Chair
Sue Scoboria, NCBTMB
This is my last article to write for Infoline as Chair of the National Certification Board. I can hardly believe it! In order to stay in touch with our school stakeholders more regularly, I'm pleased to announce that we will be changing the distribution and the format of our publication starting with our next issue. Our goal is to send you more information, more often, and so our newsletter will have fewer pages, but will arrive at your door more often-six times a year instead of three. We will also be sending you more than one copy, so you can distribute them as you would like within your school, and additional copies will be provided upon request. We feel this will assist us to better meet our goal of informing schools of our initiatives and accomplishments and how they benefit and support your own goals as educators. We welcome your feedback!
    I'd also like to announce that the National Certification Board will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary this May; yet another milestone for our organization! We have seen a tremendous growth in our certification program over the past ten years, and I'm sure we will continue this trend well into the future. Whatever the next decade brings, standards of education and standards of practice for the profession of massage therapy must continue to improve and strive towards even greater professionalism and competency in order to serve the public trust. The most important thing we can do is be consistent in our goals for higher and higher standards, and the National Certification Program is poised to support this through certification. Credentialing entitles our massage therapists to the credit they deserve in the eyes of the public, both employer and consumer, and in the hands and hearts of their peers. I look forward to continuing my own work in this profession, and thank you for the time and energy you devote as schools to setting these standards and holding them high.
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NCBTMB To Release Study Guide for the National Certification Examination
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) is currently developing a Study Guide for the National Certification Examination. This guide has been specifically designed to aid applicants who are preparing to take the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCE). The NCBTMB plans to have the Study Guide for the National Certification Examination ready for distribution by the summer of 2002.
    Applicants should be aware that this study guide does not teach content, nor should it be used as a tutorial for massage therapy and bodywork education. Rather, this guide will provide applicants with information related to preparing for the NCE. The Study Guide for the National Certification Examination will include test-taking strategies, vocabulary used on the NCE, an examination blueprint, a breakdown of the types of questions that are used on the NCE, practice questions and important documents associated with being a Nationally Certified Practitioner.

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Stay Current
The NCB makes every effort to keep the most current mailing address of all candidates, certificants, and educators. However, we need your help to do so. Please notify the NCB office when your contact information changes. Donít forget to also update your phone, fax, e-mail, and web site information. Submit changes to the NCB office at 703-610-0238 or by e-mail at www.ncbtmb.com.
    Educators: Please remind your graduates who have applied to the NCBTMB to keep current information on file as the NCBTMB receives many candidate eligibility letters returned from the post office marked ìundeliverableî or ìmoved - no forwarding information available.î It is important for the candidate to keep us informed so they do not miss their eligibility window to test.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to submit a transcript and a diploma with my application?
Prospective certificants must be able to prove that they have graduated from a formal training program. This proof must be in the form of an original official school transcript and a notarized copy of your diploma or certificate of completion. All photocopies of diplomas or certificates must be notarized by a Notary Public. This ensures that it is an exact copy of the original. Photocopies of your school transcript are not accepted. Candidates must submit an original school transcript.

Do I have to tear the application out of the handbook?
Yes, please remove the application from the Candidate Handbook and submit it into the NCB.

I am in an 800 hour program, can I apply to take the NCE after I have completed 500 hours of my program? Can I apply before I have graduated?
Candidates must graduate from an established school of massage and/or bodywork with a formal training program of at least 500 hours before they are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination. Individuals who have completed a portion of their formal training which totals 500 hours or more, but have not yet graduated are not eligible to take the NCE.

How do I get my score transferred from the NCBTMB to the state licensing agency?
The NCBTMB will not automatically transfer your score to a state licensing/credentialing agency unless you are a Florida licensing agent. You can purchase extra score reports on the day of the test for $15 per report. If your state or local licensing agency requires that you send them an official copy of your score, you will need to complete a Score Report Request Form, which is located in the Candidate Handbook. The testing vendor will mail your score directly to the licensing agency within 15 business days of receiving your request and payment. Your payment must be in the form of a money order, cashierís check or certified check.. If you took the NCE January 1, 1996 or earlier, please contact the NCBTMB to transfer your score.

Does this National ìlicenseî mean that I can work anywhere in the U.S?
The NCBTMB provides a National Certification credential (NCTMB). Itís a credential, not a license. A license is issued by the state, city, or county regulatory boards and departments of health depending upon the state in which you wish to practice. In most instances, the NCTMB credential is either an option or requirement for licensure. You should note that the fees and requirements to become licensed vary from state to state. To view a list of the states that utilize the NCTMB credential, visit the media room on NCBís web site www.ncbtmb.com.

Is my school accredited or approved by the NCB?
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) does not approve or accredit any individual schoolís curriculum or program of study. As is consistent with NCBTMB policy, each candidateís training is and will continue to be reviewed on an individual basis during the determination of his/her eligibility to take the NCE. This is why it is extremely important for candidates to submit accurate and complete information concerning their training.
    To be eligible to take the NCE, a candidate must complete 500 hours of massage training from an institution that is either state approved, licensed, or exempt from licensure or fulfill the requirements listed in the Portfolio Review Handbook. This means that your training is provided by an institution that is legally operating and approved to provide massage therapy education by the appropriate state regulatory group.

What are some reasons you might not be eligible to take the exam?

Questions Regarding NCBTMBís Forthcoming Testing Vendor Change
NCBTMB will utilize the services of another testing vendor as of August 1, 2002. Below are some questions, which NCTMB candidates may have regarding NCBTMB's testing vendor change.

Will the National Certification Examination still be offered in a computer format? Yes, the NCBTMB and it's new testing vendor will still utilize computer based testing. Computer based testing will continue to provide fast and accurate results for prospective certificants.

Will there be any times that I will not be able to take the NCE due to the transition between testing vendors? Individuals who have been deemed eligible to take the NCE can take the NCE with ASI through July 23. Between July 24 and August 1 the NCE will not be administered. Starting August 1, the examination will be delivered through The Chauncey Group's partner, Prometric, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning and a leading worldwide provider of comprehensive technology-based testing and assessment services.

How will NCBTMB's procedures change once the new testing vendor takes over? NCBTMB's procedures will not change. The transition should be seamless for all prospective certificants, with no changes coming as a result of the transition to the new testing vendor.

Does the new testing vendor offer as many testing sites as the previous testing vendor? More! In fact, the new testing vendor offers nearly two times the amount of test sites of the previous testing vendor. Prometric, Inc. will offer over 300 test sites nationwide.

With the new testing vendor, how soon can I test after I receive a letter stating that I am eligible to take the NCE? If space is available, individuals can test as early as the day after they receive their letter.

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More Answers to More of Your Questions, More Often!!
Starting next issue, NCBTMB will change the format of Infoline to provide schools with more information more frequently. Starting with the next issue, all schools and training institutions that currently receive Infoline will receive 100 copies to distribute to its students, faculty, administration, and other interested parties.
    Don't worry, you will continue to see all of the segments that you have become accustomed to in the re-formatted Infoline, including: