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

Throughout 2004, NCBTMB made a consistent effort to provide schools with comprehensive information about NCBTMB programs and services. In 2005 and beyond, this effort to connect with schools will continue with NCBTMB taking a more focused approach to reaching out to you as school administrators – one of our most important stakeholders.

NCBTMB and massage schools share the common goal of providing the public with practitioners who are well trained and uphold the professionalism, code of ethics and commitment to providing the high quality of service that Nationally Certified practitioners exhibit. Our role as a credentialing organization is to maintain a standard of quality and excellence in the therapeutic massage and bodywork field.

Part of maintaining this standard is constantly staying in tune with schools. NCBTMB will be using the data garnered from approximately 85 schools that participated in the school outreach survey. The survey, initiated in 2003 and conducted over two years on an ongoing basis, will be used to develop a new framework to stay constantly connected with massage school administrators.

For 2005, our approach to school outreach will be enhanced, with NCBTMB staying committed to building new and strengthening existing relationships with massage educators.

Stay tuned to upcoming issues of InfoLine, where you will be kept up-to-date on the new framework of NCBTMB's school outreach efforts. Best wishes for a successful and fulfilling new year. We look forward to being your information source in 2005 regarding credentialing in therapeutic massage and bodywork.

(back to InfoLine Contents)

NCBTMB Welcomes Heather Trusty as its New Director of Certification
Trusty looks forward to helping NCBTMB continue its growth
We recently sat down with NCBTMB's new director of certification to learn more about her experience, what brought her to NCBTMB, her plans as director of certification and her strategy for the future.

InfoLine: What were you doing prior to joining NCBTMB?

Heather Trusty: Prior to joining NCBTMB, I was the director of the professional development and certification department at the National Glass Association (NGA). I was with NGA for four years and prior to that I spent 12 years at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as the director of contract management services (CMS). CMS contracted with chapters and sections of APTA to develop budgets, strategic plans, annual conferences, board meetings and newsletter production.

IL: Would you mind sharing some of your experiences? What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?

HT: While at NGA I worked with the Chauncey Group and Prometric to develop and deliver certification exams as well as working with candidates and exam committees. At APTA I had a lot of member contact and interaction with the volunteer leadership. My experiences at both associations will serve me well as I work with the NCBTMB board, candidates and testing vendors.
I would say that my biggest accomplishment was with APTA. When I arrived in 1988, the CMS department was staffed by only two people and had only two contracts. Under my leadership, when I became director in 1993, the CMS department grew from two staff to 12 and from two contracts to 14. In that time, policy and procedures were developed to ensure quality management and customer service.

IL: What drew you to NCBTMB? How did you know it would be a good fit?

HT: NCBTMB is certainly well known and has an excellent reputation within the certification community, especially since it is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) – the accrediting body of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). NCBTMB is committed to standards and a code of ethics to ensure knowledgeable and competent practitioners of therapeutic massage and bodywork and I knew I would enjoy working in that kind of environment. My skills and past experiences in certification, working with volunteer leadership, members and the public make this a very good fit.

IL: What about the field of credentialing and certification do you find appealing?

HT: The tremendous commitment it takes to develop a valid, reliable and credible exam. It is rewarding to assist in the steps and hard work that goes into exam development and being able to see the end result with a credible exam for the profession. It is very satisfying to work with a professional that recognizes the value of a national certification program.

IL: As director of certification, what are your plans for NCBTMB?

HT: NCBTMB has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years, and while this is wonderful for the program it has been challenging for the NCBTMB staff in keeping up with the increase of inquiries. I am committed to implementing procedures to serve our stakeholders and provide the best customer service we can. NCBTMB is also implementing a revised National Certification Examination (NCE) and a newly created NCE for therapeutic massage only, both entry level. I will be involved in making sure the exams go online smoothly as well as working with the examination committee and our testing vendor, Thomson Prometric, to develop the Advanced Exam.

IL: Where do you see NCBTMB in the next five years?

HT: I see NCBTMB continuing to increase its certificants as well as the public's awareness of the professionalism of massage therapy. I also hope to see an increase in states that require licensing.

IL: Do you have any hobbies? What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

HT: I love the beach and enjoy swimming. I also like to go to plays and concerts.

(back to InfoLine Contents)

Meet the NCBTMB Staff: Elva Pulido, General Information Coordinator and
Sayeh Nikfar, Ethics and Standards Coordinator

Sayeh Nikfar (left) and Elva Pulido.

What brought you to NCBTMB?

Elva Pulido: NCBTMB has a work environment that makes my job enjoyable. Every day, I look forward to the company of my colleagues and that makes working for NCBTMB a real pleasure.
Sayeh Nikfar: I was referred to NCBTMB through a friend who was already working here. He enjoyed the work he was doing and he motivated me to want to also be a part of such a fun environment.

What is your role at NCBTMB?

EP: I answer phone calls and e-mails from potential candidates, provide assistance to current certificants and help the entire certification process run more effectively.
SN: I work to ensure that Nationally Certified practitioners stay committed to adhering to NCBTMB's Code of Ethics.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

EP: I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing I have helped potential certificants through the certification process.
SN: I enjoy interacting with my colleagues at NCBTMB because they are all so committed to this organization.

Describe a typical workday at NCBTMB.

EP: My day is consistently busy. From returning e-mails and answering phones to addressing any other questions that arise from candidates, there is never a dull moment.
SN: I answer e-mails and phone calls, plan meetings, process expenses and also assist the executive director with any other needs. No two days are ever the same.

What advice would you give to potential certificants in order to make their application process run smoothly?

EP: I would advise potential applicants and certificants to make sure they turn in all required documents at the same time. This ensures that the application is processed efficiently.
SN: The National Certification Examination Candidate Handbook is the most important resource for anyone with questions or interest in becoming certified. The handbook can answer most questions that arise related to the National Certification Exam (NCE).

(back to InfoLine Contents)

(back to InfoLine Contents)

Executive Insight: A Glimpse into the Perspective of NCBTMB’s Executive Director, Mark Smith

While snowflakes may be falling in some parts of the country during this time of year, here at NCBTMB we are seeing a flurry of applications for the National Certification Examination in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).
     Recently NCBTMB has experienced a very high volume of incoming applications for the exam and anticipates that this high volume will continue for the next several months.
     While NCBTMB staff members are working hard to ensure that applicants receive timely notification of their application status, the application review process is an important part of the NCBTMB staff's role and takes time to complete.
     Once an application is received, the NCBTMB staff carefully review the corresponding materials to ensure that each application is complete and valid. If the applicant is deemed eligible for the exam, the applicant's information is transferred to NCBTMB's testing partner, Thomson Prometric. Thomson Prometric (which recently acquired the Chauncey Group) then generates an "Approval To Test" (ATT) letter for each applicant deemed eligible for the exam and sends the letter.

What does this mean for your school and its students/graduates?
The high volume of applications will mean that applicants for the examination will be notified within four to five weeks of NCBTMB's receipt of their application that they are eligible to sit for the NCE.
     If an applicant does not meet NCBTMB's eligibility requirements or has omitted a portion of the application, he/she will be contacted approximately two weeks after NCBTMB receives the application.

(back to InfoLine Contents)

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