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, religion and/or 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
• Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT)

*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.

Non-Accredited Schools: All 500 hours of core curriculum must be live, in class with an instructor present. NCBTMB no longer accepts online learning in core curriculum for Non-Accredited programs.

Accredited Schools: NCBTMB will accept a portion of classes via Learning Management System (LMS). Click here for more information.