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From
the Chair
Sue
Scoboria, NCTMB
This is the traditional time of year for resolutions, plans,
and new projects, and NCB has many for 2002! It is also a time
for reflection on last year's accomplishments and unfinished
business. We have had a tremendous year as a certification board
in realizing many of our goals, and we hope you have experienced
individual success in your professional endeavors as well.
Let me summarize the NCB past and future
for you. In 2001, the NCB maintained progress implementing its
strategic plan, and continued to work diligently on the revamping
of the recertification program and new requirements for approved
providers of continuing education, both to be launched in 2002.
We began working with our nominating committee to redefine qualifications,
characteristics and leadership criteria for our Board of Directors
and volunteers of the future. We are always working on increasing
the number of qualified volunteers for our organization and
feel this fine tuning will provide interested candidates with
more accurate information.
As NCB grows to meet the ever increasing
needs of close to 50,000 certificants, we looked this past year
at our committee structure and how to best revise it to meet
the challenging needs of such a large community. I would like
to encourage any of you who would like to become involved with
the National Certification program to come forward and bring
your expertise to support your profession. It is important that
we emphasize credentialing in massage therapy and bodywork as
the recognition it provides assists the consumer and employer
in selecting qualified practitioners.
We value the support you have shown to us
this past year, and look forward to your continued commitment
to the National Certification Program in 2002.
In the meantime, I wish you all a very Happy
New Year! Though life is wrought with conflict, it is a universal
truth that everyone loves their own, and that love is the way
of the world. May each of you come from that space of love and
embrace the part of your heart and mind that extends your love
to all and everyone, bringing reality to our hope for global
peace. Happy New Year!
ñ Sue Scoboria
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ADA
Compliance
NCBTMB and ASI both pledge to comply
with the provisions of the Americans and Disabilities Act (42
USCG Section 12101, et. Seq.), and with Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act, as ameneded (42 U.S.C. 2000e. et seq.). If you need
us to make special arrangements because of a disabling condition,
you may ask for special testing services. This request must
be included in writing in you application packet. All requests
are handled on an individual basis.
All test sites have access for candidates
with disabilities. But what if a candidate needs special testing
arrangements due to impaired sensory, manual or speaking skills,
or other disabilities? In that case, you must send us a letter
from a licensed physician, optometrist, social worker, psychologist
or other appropriate professional.
The letter must be written on the healthcare
professional's letterhead and include the professional's title,
address, and telephone number and date. The letter must also
include a diagnosis of the disabling condition, and explain
why special testing arrangements are necessary. The letter must
have an original signature from the professional and be dated
no more than 5 years prior to application. Faxes and photocopies
will not be accepted.
If you need special accommodations because
of a learning disability, you must submit official documentation
regarding your disability to NCBTMB. Because it may take some
time to make special arrangements, we recommend that candidates
make their requests as soon as possible. We will make every
effort to assist, except when it may alter the examination or
results, or if it causes an undue burden on testing center.
Once approved, ASI will decide upon the time
and place of the specially arranged exam. ASI will then let
the candidate know about these arrangements directly. All special
arrangements are subject to the policies of NCBTMB. These arrangements
will be provided at no additional charge.
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Approved
Provider Corner
What are the benefits of becoming an approved
provider?
NCBTMB approved providers have several advantages
in meeting the needs of practicing massage therapists and bodyworkers.
In becoming approved, providers declare their commitment to
quality programs. They also enhance the potential of having
their hours accepted by more states as increasing numbers of
massage therapists and bodyworkers are mandated to obtain continuing
education. Other rewards to becoming an approved provider include
potentially reducing the cost and paperwork to get courses approved
sate by state and eliminating the need for having to get each
program approved. Once the educational provider attains status
of Approved Provider under Category A, the approval is retroactive.
If I decide I want to be an approved provider,
how do I apply?
Any applicant applying for approval should already
be prepared in terms of meeting all of the criteria. The following
steps will guide an organization/individual through the process
of obtaining approval.
ï Study the application/criteria until you understand what each
criterion statement means. Seek help from NCBTMB if necessary.
ï Match each of your responses on the application against the
criteria to identify any potential weaknesses in your program.
ï Strengthen those weaknesses until you/your organization is
satisfied it meets each criterion. Seek help from NCBTMB if
necessary.
ï Submit a completed application (answering each question),
attach supporting materials, and pay the appropriate fee. You
can obtain an application by visiting www.ncbtmb.com
or by calling (703) 610-9015.
Adding New Courses to Your Curriculum?
Approved Providers are required to submit new course information
to the NCBTMB office within 30 days of offering a new course.
New course information should include: the title of the course,
the number of CEU's offered, and a course description. If you
have any questions about adding new courses, contact Ed Woods,
Recertification and Continuing Education Manager, at 703/610-0215
or ewoods@ncbtmb.com.
Renewal Application Status
Category A Approved Providers will receive an application for
renewal six months prior to their expiration date. Each provider
is required to update the status of their course offerings,
including new courses and instructors. The Continuing Education
Provider Review Panel reviews each application to ensure the
provider is adhering to the NCBTMB's definition of continuing
education. The NCBTMB's definition of continuing education is,
"Learning experiences which enhance and expand the skills, knowledge,
and attitudes of practicing massage therapists and bodyworkers
to render competent professional service to clients, the profession,
and the public." The application review process takes between
10 and 12 weeks. Please allow ample time to for the review of
your renewal application.
Ethics Requirement
All Nationally Certified practitioners are required to take
at least two (2) hours of ethics in order to recertify. The
two hours of ethics can be a separate course or it may be offered
within another course, provided the instructor provides acceptable
documentation. Acceptable pieces of documentation include: a
certificate of completion that stipulates the total number of
ethics hours completed in the course, documentation breaking
down course hours, including ethics, or a letter from the instructor
that includes a breakdown of the number of ethics hours that
were addressed within the course.
A sample list of course topics that deal
with issues specifically geared toward ethics in the massage
and bodywork profession are:
ï Scope of Practice/Legal Guidelines
ï Cultural Diversity
ï Boundaries
ï Client/Therapist Confidentiality
ï Professionalism
ï Financial Issues (such as fair billing practices)
ï Conflict Resolution
ï HIV/AIDS
The following is an excerpt from the Requirements
for Recertification Handbook, which explains the NCBTMB's stance
on ethics. "In order to promote skills aimed at fostering honorable
professional behavior, NCBTMB has included an ethics course
requirement as part of the recertification criteria. Ethics
is a system of principles of human conduct guided by positive,
right or good intent. The Code of Ethics of the NCBTMB is a
set of ethical principals governing the conduct of massage therapy
and bodywork."
Approval Recognition
Providers are reminded to only use the "authorized statement
of approval" and the official logo they were provided when initially
approved as a Category A Approved Provider. Providers may not
alter the following statement in any way.
(Name of Provider) is approved by the National
Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
as a continuing education provider under Category A.
For additional copies of the logo sheet for
use in your printed educational and promotional materials, please
contact Ed Woods at 703-610-0215 or ewoods@ncbtmb.com.
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Frequently
Asked Questions
1. How can I receive a copy of the NCBTMB Candidate Handbook?
The Candidate Handbook includes an application and an outline
of all of the requirements needed to sit for the National Certification
Exam and become nationally certified. You can find both the
standard Candidate Handbook and the Portfolio Review Handbook
on NCBTMB's web site, (www.ncbtmb.com).
You may also call 1-800-296-0664 to request a Candidate Handbook.
2. Does this National "license" mean that I
can work anywhere in the U.S?
NCBTMB provides a national certification credential (NCTMB).
It's 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 NCBTMB's web site (www.ncbtmb.com)
and check out the Media Room.
3. Is my school accredited or approved by the
NCB?
No. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage
and Bodywork (NCBTMB) does not approve or accredit any individual
school's curriculum or program of study. As is consistent with
NCBTMB policy, each candidate's 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.
The eligibility criteria for the NCE require
a candidate to receive his/her 500 hours of massage training
from an institution that is either state approved, licensed,
or exempt from licensure. 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.
4.Who should I call if I need to re-schedule
my exam?
To re-schedule your exam, contact ASI, NCB's testing vendor,
directly. Exam dates may be re-scheduled up to four days prior
to the actual time you had previously been scheduled to take
the exam. Dates cannot be re-scheduled past the expiration date
originally assigned. If an extension is needed you must have
documentation which states the reason why the extension is needed.
The only acceptable reasons for your failure to appear for the
exam that would warrant an extension are: serious illness -
either yourself or an immediate family member, death in the
immediate family, disabling traffic accident, court appearance
or jury duty, and unexpected military duty call-up. If you are
unable to appear for the exam date you were originally scheduled
for, and do not submit documentation for an extension, you will
forfeit your entire exam fee and your application will be returned.
If you would still like to pursue national certification after
an unexcused exam absence, you will have to re-apply and pay
the fee again. Make sure to plan ahead and to pay attention
to deadlines.
5. Where can I get my school code number?
To obtain your school code, please contact your school administrator.
You may also contact Lucy Warner at (703) 610-0238 or lwarner@ncbtmb.com
to acquire your school code. When filling out the "School Code"
portion on the application, please use the 6 digit # followed
by 00 available through your school.
6. What steps do I need to take after completing
the exam?
When you have finished taking the exam, raise your hand to signal
the test center registrar. The registrar will then score your
exam and give you an official score report. Your results will
be communicated by a pass or fail status only. This report will
include a photo of you.
The Candidate's performance on the National
Certification Examination shall remain confidential unless otherwise
stipulated by the examinee. NCBTMB will not automatically transfer
your score date 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. The $15 fee must be payable
to Assessment Systems, Inc. (ASI). ASI 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, cashier's check or certified check.
Personal checks are not accepted by ASI.
After the exam date, you can order extra
copies of your score report by mailing the Score Report Request
Form to ASI. Within two years of the exam date, the cost of
your score report is $25 per copy. Unlike your original report,
no photo of you will be imprinted on the copies that you request
after the day of testing. Instead, they will be stamped "Official
Duplicate." Your payment must be in the form of a money order,
cashier's check or certified check. Personal checks are not
accepted.
If you wish to comment on any question prior
to receiving your score, please ask the examination location
proctor for the "Submitting Written Comments on Examination
Questions" form. It is the responsibility of the candidate to
request this form from the proctor. All comments will be submitted
to and reviewed by NCBTMB's Examination Committee.
If you failed the examination and believe
this was due to an error in electronic scoring you may have
your exam results hand scored by submitting a request in writing
to NCBTMB. Candidates have seven (7) days to request a hand
score. Candidates may not have access to the answer key.
If you fail the exam you will be given diagnostic
information about your overall performance so you may identify
areas of weakness, should you wish to try again. The score report
will also provide instructions on how to reapply for a future
exam.
7. What are some reasons why you might not
be eligible to take the exam?
ï If your application and your supporting documents do not
show that you have met the eligibility criteria.
ï If any part of your application is incomplete or illegible.
ï If your application does not include the correct fees (made
payable to NCBTMB).
ï If your application is not from a current Candidate Handbook.
ï If your application is not signed.
8. How many correct answers do you need to
pass the National Certification for Therapeutic Massage and
Bodywork (NCE)?
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and
Bodywork (NCBTMB) utilizes a process known as Scaled Scoring
to report a candidate's performance on the National Certification
Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCE). Due
to the fact that NCBTMB tests such a high volume of candidates,
the integrity and security is of upmost importance to NCBTMB.
Consequently, NCBTMB includes the use of more than one form
of the NCE at any given point in time. These different forms
of the NCE are pre-equated using a one-parameter Item Response
Theory (IRT) Measurement Model (Rasch). Once a candidate's level
of knowledge, skill and ability are determine through his or
her performance on the NCE, his or her level of performance
on that particular form of the NCE is plotted on a scale using
computer algorithms.
In essence, a degree of competency, which
is measured by performance on the NCE, is applied to a scale
and plotted accordingly so that the level of performance is
representative of the degree of competency that was demonstrated
by the candidate through testing. The scaled passing point for
the NCE is 300. The degree of knowledge, skill and ability that
must be demonstrated by a candidate in order to pass the NCE
is consistent for all test takers, regardless of the the form
that was administered.
9. How long is my certification valid?
Your National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
certification is valid for four (4) years. During that time,
use the designation "NCBTMB" (Nationally Certified in Therapeutic
Massage and Bodywork) after your name to show that you are certified.
You will receive a certificate that you can frame. NCBTMB will
also send you information explaining how you can better market
your professional skills and your NCBTMB credential.
10. What fees must I pay to take the National
Certification Exam?
Fees must be paid by money order, cashier's check, or personal
check, made payable to NCBTMB. We also accept VISA or MasterCard.
If paying by credit card fill out all information on the application
form including the signature. If payment is coming from a state
vocational rehabilitation department you must enclose a voucher
with your application.
List of Fees:
Examination Fee-$225
This fee entitles you to one examination registration, one copy
of your results and one copy of you certificate, if you pass.
There are certain cases when part of or the
entire exam fee can be forfeited; for example, if you cancel
your exam, fail to appear for a scheduled exam without an allowable
reason, or are late for a scheduled exam.
Processing Fee- $75
This fee will be taken from your examination fee whether or
not you are considered eligible to take the exam, or if you
cancel your application before your exam date. Therefore, if
you are deemed ineligible or cancel your application before
the exam date, you will receive a refund of $150.
Non Sufficient Funds Fee- $25
If you pay your fee by credit card and your credit card company
refuses to approve the charge, a $25 charge will be added to
your total fee payment. Once a credit card payment has been
denied, we will only accept payment by money order or certified
check. If your personal check does not clear a $25 charge will
be added and we will only accept subsequent payment by money
order or certified check. Please remember that fees are always
subject to change. It is your responsibility to make sure you
have the most current copy of the Candidate Handbook and that
you submit the correct fee. Failure to submit the correct forms
will delay processing of your application.
11. Does NCBTMB refund application fees for
Veterans?
NCBTMB does not refund application fees for veterans. For refunds
and further information on this issue, please contact your state.
12. How do I become part of the NCBTMB Practioner
Locator Program?
If you have internet access, please visit our website at www.ncbtmb.com,
click on "Shortcut to Important Forms" and then click on "Submit
an online form to be included in the NCBTMB Practitioner Locator
Program". All the information you'll need regarding the Practioner
Locator Program is available at this site.
If you do not have internet access, you can
contact Lucinda de Castro at (703) 610-0239 and request the
form to be mailed to you.
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NCB
News
NCB Publications
NCBTMB produces two newsletters, Connection and Infoline, on
a quarterly basis to bring you news about the National Certification
Program. Connection is written for the benefit of the NCB's
certificants, while Infoline is written for the prospective
certificants and massage therapy and bodywork schools. Other
publications which may be perceived to be associated with NCBTMB
are not. The only official NCB publications are Connection and
Infoline.
If you have any questions concerning NCB
publications or if you would like to request additional copies,
please contact NCB at 1-800-296-0664.
NCB Conducts Survey on Massage Therapy and
Bodywork
NCBTMB recently conducted an online survey with the assistance
of Harris Interactive to ascertain the knowledge, attitudes,
and opinions of a sampling of the 20 million Americans receiving
massage therapy and bodywork annually. In this survey, NCB asked
a variety of questions on the topic of massage therapy and bodywork,
such as why consumers received massage, if the public inquires
about the practitioner's training, what aspects were most important
when considering massage therapy and Americans' thoughts on
ethics.
When asked the question, "Why do you receive
massage therapy or bodywork," the majority of individuals answered
to relieve stress, while 36% said they received massage therapy
or bodwork for rehabilitation for an injury. Fifty percent of
consumers said they always/usually inquire about the practitioner's
training, which stresses the importance of training and national
certification. When they are visiting a massage therapist or
bodyworker for the first time, 71 % responded that the ethics
of the practitioner is extremely/ very important when choosing
a massage therapist or bodyworker, which again emphasizes the
importance of national certification and specifically the NCBTMB
Code of Ethics. Finally, most respondents, 37%, responded that
the most important thing to know before receiving a massage
is if the practitioner has a credential.
"Based on the results of the survey, the
need for a high standard of practice in ethics for massage therapy
and bodywork is paramount," said Christine Niero, Ph.D., Executive
Director. "NCBTMB's mission is to foster high standards of ethical
and professional practice in the delivery of services through
a recognized credible credentialing program that assures the
competency of practitioners of therapeutic massage and bodywork.
Today, there are more than 45,000 Nationally Certified practitioners
who work every day to uphold this standard."
To view the survey along with the results,
please go to www.ncbtmb.com.
Staff
Contacts
Below you will find a list
of NCBTMB staff members, their extensions, and their e-mail
addresses. NCBTMB staff is available to assist you Monday through
Friday, between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM E.S.T. You may also leave
voice mail messages after hours. Please use this list as a reference
guide when placing calls to NCBTMB. As always you may visit
our web site at www.ncbtmb.com.
For inquiries regarding candidate handbooks or
general information, contact:
Suzie McMahon
703-610-0281 ï smcmahon@ncbtmb.com
For inquiries regarding mailing labels:
Lucy Warner
703-610-0238 ï lwarner@ncbtmb.com
For inquiries regarding Continuing Education,
or Becoming a Category A Provider:
Ed Woods
703-610-0215 ï ewoods@ncbtmb.com
For inquiries regarding recertification:
Ericka Artis
703-610-0235 ï eartis@ncbtmb.com
For inquiries regarding the status of your application:
Ashleigh Millner
703-610-0234 ï amillner@ncbtmb.com
For inquiries regarding portfolio review, duplicate
certificates, or Washington testing candidates:
Berlos Davis
703-610-0245 ï bdavis@ncbtmb.com
For inquiries regarding the examination's development,
administration or government relations:
Paul Parker
703-610-0226 ï bdavis@ncbtmb.com
For inquiries regarding the Practitioner Locator
Program:
Lucinda de Castro
703-610-0239 ï ldecastro@ncbtmb.com
For inquiries regarding communications or public
relations:
Jason Thies
703-610-0236 ï jthies@ncbtmb.com
What
Happens Once I Become Eligible For
the NCE?
First
4-6 Weeks
Candidate receives eligibility letter from NCBTMB - typically
4-6 weeks after sending application.
Candidate calls ASI at 800-274-3703 to make the exam reservation.
Candidate will need to provide ASI's Customer Care Representative
with the following information:
ï Full Name;
ï Social Security Number; and
ï Registration Number (found in the eligibility letter.)
The ASI Customer Care Representative will help the candidate
locate the testing center closest to the candidate's home or
preferred testing location. The ASI Customer Care Representative
will provide the candidate with the following information:
ï Exam date;
ï Exam location;
ï Address of, and directions to, the selected test
center; and
ï Confirmation number of examination reservation.
Candidate receives confirmation letter from ASI containing examination
reservation information - approximately 3-5 days after making
reservation.
Candidate reviews ASI's exam reservation confirmation letter
and reports any discrepancies directly to ASI.
When should candidates call ASI (800-274-3703)
ï Test center directions;
ï Materials needed on exam day; and
ï Score report requests.
When should candidates call NCBTMB
ï Address changes;
ï Social Security Number corrections;
ï Canceling, rescheduling or missed exams due to illness, death,
etc. (see Candidate Handbook for reporting acceptable
reasons); and
ï Candidate information not on file with ASI.
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