From the Chair
Judy Dean, M.Ed, RN, NCTMB, CHt

As you may have heard by now, NCBTMB has a new executive director.
    Mark Smith, Ph.D., CAE, a veteran of the association community and a credentialing expert, joined the NCBTMB team last month as executive director. With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit, association management and business and academic communities, Mark will be responsible for managing NCBTMB's National Certification and recertification programs, general operations and overall leadership of the NCBTMB staff. A search committee comprised of NCBTMB Board members and association executives selected Mark from a talent pool of nearly 50 qualified professionals from across the United States.
    Before joining NCBTMB, Mark served as the deputy executive director of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a healthcare credentialing association representing more than 150,000 nurses throughout the United States and its territories in 40 specialty and advanced practice areas of nursing.
    While at the ANCC, Mark provided oversight of finances, technology assessments and business services, including the implementation of international pilot projects. He also served as the organization's interim executive director from 2000 to 2001.
    Prior to his tenure at ANCC, Mark served as assistant director of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP), the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine and the Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators (AODME).
We are confident that Mark will help NCBTMB to continue to grow and achieve the goals we have set for ourselves as an organization. In this issue of InfoLine (page 3), you will get to read more about Mark and his vision for NCBTMB.
    Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." Mr. Ford was referring to the concept of teamwork, which I believe is at the root of NCBTMB's success. The Board of Directors continually works with NCBTMB's staff, certificants and you with the same goal in mind – to advance the field of therapeutic massage and bodywork.
    I know Mark will be a tremendous addition to the NCBTMB team. I look forward to working with him, the whole NCBTMB gang and you in charting an exciting course for our future. Welcome Mark, we are certainly glad to have you.
    Until next time…work steady and play often!

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NCBTMB Prepares to Implement New Exam and Updated Criteria in June 2005
On June 1, 2005, NCBTMB will be implementing updated eligibility criteria for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) and establishing a massage-specific exam, the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM).
    Candidates who apply for National Certification and start their programs of study on or after June 1, 2005 will be reviewed using the new eligibility criteria. Those individuals enrolled in a program prior to June 1, 2005 will be evaluated using NCBTMB's current eligibility criteria.
NCBTMB first announced the new exam and updated criteria in January 2004, allowing time for schools and students to prepare for the changes.
    The revised eligibility criteria for certification reflect the proportions of content as they will appear on the NCETM and the NCETMB. The content of the exams has been validated by the NCBTMB Job Task Analysis conducted in 2002.
    The development of the NCETM and the NCETMB is in strict compliance with the accreditation guidelines established by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association and the National Council for Measurement in Education) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures.
    Each of these exams will be available under the National Examination for States Licensing (NESL) option, which is and will remain available to any candidate who does not meet NCBTMB's eligibility criteria to become certified, is not required to become certified or chooses not to become certified. This alternative was adopted because several states utilize the NCBTMB exams, either in statute or rule, but do not require applicants for licensure to become certified by NCBTMB.
    Individuals applying the NESL option are required to register for the exams through NCBTMB, pay the appropriate fee and follow NCBTMB's procedures for scheduling an exam appointment. They are able to take the exam to meet a state's requirements regardless of the criteria NCBTMB has adopted for the certification. Once candidates have passed the NCETM or NCETMB, they will be able to have their scores transferred to the regulatory agency of their choice by following the protocol outlined in the National Certification Examination Candidate Handbook.
    For more information about NCBTMB's examination content and eligibility criteria, visit NCBTMB's Web site at www.ncbtmb.com or call (800) 296-0664.

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Meet the NCBTMB Staff: Tabitha Barfield and Chandra Cole

Tabitha Barfield (left) and Chandra Cole enjoy the work they do at NCBTMB.

Beginning with this issue, InfoLine will be interviewing members of NCBTMB's staff to learn more about their roles within the organization and how they work to better serve NCBTMB's diverse constituency.
    In this issue, InfoLine spoke with Tabitha Barfield and Chandra Cole, general information coordinators for NCBTMB. Tabitha and Chandra have been with NCBTMB since 2003 and hope sharing their experiences will show schools and students how they can quickly and efficiently apply their own expertise in the credential application process.

InfoLine: What is an average day like for you?
Tabitha Barfield: There's never a time when we aren't doing something. Our day is constantly busy, from answering phone calls and responding to voicemails to replying to e-mails and corresponding with applicants.
Chandra Cole: When I get into the office in the morning I begin my day by taking down my voice messages and preparing to receive live calls. During my time answering live calls, I'm working to make people eligible.

IL: What do you enjoy most about your job?
TB: It is very satisfying to be able to make people eligible quickly and efficiently. It is always nice to hear people's reactions when they do become eligible.
CC: It is great to see these people attaining their goal of receiving National Certification after working so hard and dedicating so many hours to the profession. I like helping people achieve their dreams – that is the best part of my job.

IL: NCBTMB now boasts more than 83,000 certified practitioners. What have you been doing in response to the increase in application volume? What are you doing to handle the upsurge?
TB: The busiest times of the year are June to August and again from November to February. We work closely with the applicants to make them eligible as quickly as we can. We work hard to find the answers to all of their questions and also provide them with tips on how they can help ensure the process is as easy and effortless as possible.
CC: It has been a little stressful on all of us at NCB, but we try to process as many applications and get back to as many people as we can everyday. The hours can be long, but it is such a rewarding job.

IL: What advice would you give to applicants awaiting certification?
TB: The handbook has a checklist to help you make sure that all of your information is filled out correctly before it is sent in. Also, in the "Applicant's Corner" section on NCBTMB's Web site (www.ncbtmb.com), you can find the answers to many of the most frequently asked questions. Additionally, the revised handbook contains all the appropriate forms you will need throughout the process.
CC: There are two pieces of advice I can give applicants. First, please be patient. We work very hard to make as many people eligible as quickly as we can. Secondly, please read the National Certification Examination Candidate Handbook. It offers valuable information on the application process. Also, please know that guiding you through this process and seeing you become eligible is important to us. We work hard to make this experience not only as pleasant as possible for you, but ultimately a success.

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An Interview with NCBTMB’s New Executive Director Mark Smith

Last month, association and credentialing expert Mark Smith, Ph.D., CAE, joined NCBTMB as its new executive director. InfoLine sat down with Dr. Smith to learn more about him, his experience and his vision for NCBTMB's future.

InfoLine: Immediately prior to joining NCBTMB, you were with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). What brought you there?
Mark Smith: I began working in association management about 10 years ago for the American Osteopathic Healthcare Association (AOHA). I was the assistant director there for three physician organizations and really developed an interest in not-for-profit management. In 1996 I received an offer to work for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), an affiliate of the American Nurses Association (ANA). ANCC certifies registered nurses in over 40 specialties. It was a very rewarding experience.

IL: What about the field of credentialing do you find appealing?
MS: Credentialing has an important professional and social function. It is how a government or a profession demonstrates that someone has acquired the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to practice. It also establishes and builds public confidence. It indicates that practitioners are professionals, that they strictly adhere to standards of practice and a code of ethics. It innately performs a crucial role for the profession and the public.

IL: You have had a diverse career – professor, realtor and association professional. Tell us a little bit about your background.
MS: Association management is what I would call my third career. I think in this day and age it's not uncommon for people to use their skills and abilities and apply them in different environments. It's about what you know and what you're able to do versus necessarily doing that within a specific profession.
    I was in academe for several years, in languages and linguistics, but I reached a point when the potential for career growth in that field became minimal. I had been working part-time in real estate, so I decided to make it my full-time profession. I worked hard and in turn had a very successful career in real estate for 10 years. I enjoyed it immensely, but eventually found that I needed a new challenge.
    Living in Washington, D.C., I knew a lot of people working in association management. I went to work for a healthcare organization (American Osteopathic Healthcare Association) and began to strategically develop my career from there. I definitely believe in people's ability to adapt and in the wisdom in taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves.

IL: Would you mind sharing some of your experiences at the ANCC with us? What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment with ANCC?
MS: I served as both ANCC's deputy executive director and its interim executive director. There was a seven-year period during which ANCC went through a considerable amount of growth and transition.
    When I started, 95 percent of ANCC's revenue was derived through certification. That is good, but it's a very limited market. Like in any other business, you want to be more diversified. So, we created an institute for research, education and consultation.
    I worked on the project from its conceptualization. During the process, I helped ANCC acquire a review course company that became part of the institute. We developed our own review courses, offered consulting on credentialing and we also began holding conferences. It was a pleasure for me to see the institute grow and become a much larger percentage of ANCC's business.
    We also developed a variety of certification programs and different types of nursing credentials. One of those was a multidisciplinary exam in diabetes management for nurses, pharmacists and diabetes educators.
    I was also fortunate enough to play an instrumental part in expanding the ANCC Magnet Program, which recognizes excellence in nursing services at acute care facilities, including hospitals. When I started at ANCC there were not even 10 magnet facilities, now there are more than 100 and double that in the pipeline. Some of the leading hospitals in the country are magnet recognized, including Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Massachusetts General and the Mayo Clinic.

IL: What drew you to NCBTMB? How did you know it would be a good fit?
MS: I have known people at NCBTMB for several years. I knew it was a very vibrant organization and the kind of organization I would like to work for. NCBTMB has established a reputation for excellence in the field of massage and bodywork and has grown tremendously recently. I think it also possesses a great deal of potential. There are many more opportunities available for NCBTMB to expand its scope and the massage and bodywork disciplines.
    Coming from a professional healthcare background, I believe there are ways to approach healthcare and wellness holistically and I think massage has a very important role.

IL: Where do you see NCBTMB in the next five, 10, 15 years?
MS: I would like National Certification to be recognized in all of the 50 states. I also want to further NCBTMB's position as the leading credentialing organization in massage therapy and bodywork not just nationally, but internationally. I realize this is quite an audacious goal, but, if we work together, it is achievable.
    I think that as the executive director of an organization you must look to the wisdom of its Board of Directors. NCB has a strategic plan in place encompassing the goals and the vision of its constituents and the Board. I feel it is my responsibility to do all that I can to help achieve those goals.

IL: In closing, is there anything else you would like to share?
MS: I am very excited to be here. I'm honored that the Board of Directors has chosen to instill its trust in me in working to achieve the goals of NCBTMB.

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Calling All Volunteers!
By Sue Scoboria, NCTMB, NCBTMB School Outreach Coordinator

Q: As a school director, how can I contribute my ideas and expertise to NCBTMB?

A: In speaking with school directors, I have found that many would like to know how their thoughts, feelings and expertise can be included in the mix of information that creates NCBTMB programs. The school outreach program was created to open the lines of communication between school directors and NCBTMB, however it is important to note that there are also many committees and panels within the organization where school leaders can volunteer and have their opinions heard.
    If you are interested in the development and validation of the National Certification exams, we invite you to consider volunteering on the Exam Development Committee.
    If you have leadership skills and would like to put them to work helping to recruit, interview and select candidates for the NCBTMB Board of Directors, the Leadership Development Committee may be the right fit for you.
    If you have experience in policy and procedure, the Bylaws Committee could be the right place to offer your expertise.
    The Ethical and Professional Standards Committee works with the Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics. If your passion is to ensure all NCTMB certificants uphold these responsibilities, this is the place for you.
Lastly, NCBTMB has a panel of volunteers who review Recertification and Continuing Education Approved Provider applications, as well as make recommendations to the Board on these programs.
    If you have the desire to add your input in any of the areas outlined here, your next step would be to contact the chair of the respective committee. I can assist you with this connection, as well as answer a few other basic questions about volunteering with NCBTMB. It is important to be proactive when we desire to change or protect the future of the therapeutic massage and bodywork industry. NCBTMB is especially interested in welcoming the level of knowledge, expertise and passion that school directors exude. To get involved, send an e-mail to schooloutreach@ncbtmb.com.

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Coming Soon – Classroom in a Box II
Coming soon to a classroom near you is the second installment of materials for NCBTMB's "Classroom in a Box". These materials are designed to help you feel comfortable addressing National Certification with your students.
    The NCBTMB "Classroom in a Box" was intended to be a repository of information that NCBTMB provides to school administrators, with the understanding that this library of information would build over time. NCBTMB's school liaison and Board is now working to create the second addition to the "Classroom in a Box". This packet will include the following:
• New eligibility requirements
• Content outlines with an emphasis on the new ethics and pathology requirements
• FAQs on new requirements
• Overview regarding criminal records
• Continuing education needs
• Materials for students on National Certification

In order to make these materials relevant to our school partners, NCBTMB is eager to hear from you about additional materials and information that you would find helpful. We will be asking educators to help us review these materials. If you would like to help us with the development of classroom materials, please let us know. Write to us at infolinenewsletter@ncbtmb.com.

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NCBTMB
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703-610-9015 … 703-610-9005
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e-mail: info@ncbtmb.com