Unacceptable core curriculum content includes but is not limited to:

• Diagnoses (allopathic-based) of clinical conditions
• Implementation of allopathic medical/surgical procedures
• Physically invasive modalities, e.g., ear candles, intra-anal, intra-vaginal modalities, etc.
• Incorporation of chiropractic/osteopathic, e.g., ballistic, thrust oriented or other services and procedures which require additional licensure or certification, i.e., Yoga or Pilates Instructor Certification, Physical Therapy, Personal Training, Weight Training
• Prescription of herbs, nutritional supplements, and /or pharmaceuticals
• Performing hypnosis
• Performing an aesthetician facial or exfoliation of cells from the body
• Performing electrical stimulation, using electrical devices on clients or ultrasound of any kind
• Psychological counseling
• Psychic, clairvoyance, telepathic, astrology, religious practices
• Dry needling and acupuncture
• Breaking or removing tissue from the body
• CBD Products*
• Energy work that does not involve “the application of professional therapeutic touch”
• Aura techniques
• Crystal healing
• Qi Gong or Tai Chi
• Fire cupping or any procedure that works with fire
• Breast massage as part of anything other than medical procedures or prescribed by a physician (NCBTMB does accept breast massage when learning about oncology; specifically, breast cancer procedures)
• Moxibustion
• Tongue Reading
• Erroneous, misleading titles of modalities; a description of the course must be added to the title if the modality cannot be easily deciphered by the title

*How CBD products are derived may mean some products are controlled substances under federal law. There is also scarce research on the efficacy, dosing and contraindications for the consumer or a provider using CBD products.

NCBTMB has the right to reject any course content that does not adhere to federal laws and regulation, risks participant or instructor safety, and/or is not sufficiently backed up by research. 

To become an NCBTMB Assigned School and receive an Assigned School Code, you must meet our minimum 500-hour curriculum requirements in Western based massage therapy education. All 500 hours of core curriculum must be live, in class with an instructor present. NCBTMB no longer accepts online learning in core curriculum.