Account & Program Updates
- Login to your account
- Click Additional Forms from the Quick Links
- Complete the “Change in Assigned School Name, Program, Contact Person, or Address” form
- Submit legal documentation showing the school’s name change.
- Click Submit
- Login to your account
- Click Additional Forms from the Quick Links
- Complete the “Change in Assigned School Name, Program, Contact Person, or Address” form
- Submit legal documentation showing the school’s change of address.
- Click Submit
General AS Information
A NCBTMB Assigned School is an institution researched and approved by NCBTMB, proving the school is legitimate, operating legally and meets our minimum curriculum requirements of 500 hours of education.
NCBTMB Assigned Schools are awarded an Assigned School Code once programs are approved. This code is required for graduates of a school’s massage therapy program(s) to sit for the Board Certification Examination.
An Assigned School Code is a six-digit reference number assigned to a school by NCBTMB. To obtain an assigned school code, the primary contact person for the school must:
- Create account with NCBTMB at www.ncbtmb.org
- Once logged in, click “Initial Applications” from the Quick Links menu
- Complete and submit the “Assigned School Initial Application” form
Please be aware that there are two separate forms—one for Accredited schools and a second for Non-Accredited schools.
A student or school’s use of this code enables efficient processing of student applications by NCBTMB. A code that has been assigned to a school indicates that the school’s program meets NCBTMB’s requirements, and consequently, that its graduate’s meet NCBTMB’s eligibility requirements relating to educational background.
Students graduating from NCBTMB Assigned School Codes have access to a streamlined application process for Board Certification as the school is previously reviewed.
Students graduating from a school without an NCBTMB Assigned School Code may be able to complete the NCBTMB Portfolio Review Process. To find out if you or your students may be eligible, call us at 1-800-296-0664 or email us at info@ncbtmb.org. We’ll help you figure out if there is an alternative route to Board Certification for you.
There is no cost to become an NCBTMB Assigned School. It’s FREE!
To put it simply, we created the NCBTMB Assigned School program to better protect legitimate massage therapy programs, students, educators, and practitioners nationwide. Too often in the past, there were instances of falsification, illegitimacy, and illegal activity associated with massage therapy. We’re changing that. Most importantly, we require a valid NCBTMB Assigned School Code from any student or licensed practitioner who sits for the Board Certification exam.
If you have additional questions, please email schooloutreach@ncbtmb.org.
NCBTMB does not accredit schools—there are several accreditation agencies that are responsible for the accreditation of schools. An NCBTMB Assigned School Code means that the school has passed NCBTMB’s review process and that students graduating from the school will be eligible to sit for NCBTMB’s Board Certification exam.
Once awarded an Assigned School Code, the renewal requirements differ based on if your institution is Accredited or Non-Accredited:
- Accredited schools must renew their Assigned School status every five years. There is no cost to renew.
- Non-Accredited schools must renew their Assigned School status every two years. There is no cost to renew.
For more information on how to renew your Assigned School status, please email schooloutreach@ncbtmb.org.
Students graduating from a school without a NCBTMB Assigned School Code must go through the Portfolio Review process to become eligible to sit for the Board Certification Exam.
If you wish to apply to become a NCBTMB Assigned School, register on the NCBTMB website. Then, login and and submit the “Assigned School Code Request Form.”
The fastest way to submit transcripts for your students would be emailing them to transcripts@ncbtmb.org.
You may also send them by mail to:
NCBTMB
1333 Burr Ridge Pkwy, Ste 200
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
To request a Duplicate Certificate, you must first login to your NCBTMB account at ncbtmb.org.
Once logged in:
- Click Additional Forms (from “Quick Links” menu on left)
- Complete the Duplicate Certificate Request Form
- Fill out the appropriate information
- Click Submit
There is a $15 fee per Duplicate Certificate requested.
How to become an Assigned School
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.
Our 500-hour curriculum requirements:
- 125 hours of instruction in the body’s systems and anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
- 200 hours of in-class, supervised hands-on instruction in massage and bodywork assessment, theory and application instruction
- 40 hours of pathology
- 10 hours of business and ethics instruction (a minimum of 6 hours in ethics)
- 125 hours of instruction in an area or related field that theoretically completes your massage program of study
In recognition of the lengthy accreditation process undertaken by Accredited schools, Accredited and Non-Accredited schools are asked to submit different materials.
Please Note: All education submitted on the Assigned School Application must meet NCBTMB’s acceptable course content guidelines. In addition, all course content and curriculum must be acceptable within the state the school is located. Applications will be rejected if they list information that NCBTMB does not accept no matter the length of the program.
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.
Along with meeting our minimum 500-hour curriculum requirements, Accredited schools must also submit the following materials:
- Completed contact information,
- Copy of your accreditation approval with expiration date,
- Copy of a signed, sample transcript for all massage therapy programs your school offers, and
- A breakdown of the curriculum hours.*
*Note: NCBTMB will accept online curriculum for Accredited schools. Click here for more information.
Once the above materials are received, your Assigned School application will be complete. NCBTMB will notify you with your Assigned School Code upon review.
It is extremely important to update information with NCBTMB at all times. This is not only to protect students who attend your school, but also to protect the school from people who may try to falsify your documents.
Along with meeting our minimum 500-hour curriculum requirements, Non-Accredited schools must also submit the following materials:
- Completed contact information and the 20 questions requested in the application,
- Proof of required business license,
- Proof of business ownership,
- Proof of approval to operate an educational institution.
- List of instructors and their resumes and qualifications,
- Licenses and credentials of massage therapists (within states that require licensure),
- Your school’s attendance policy,
- Your school’s program descriptions with course catalog,
- Syllabi outlines for each course,
- Cope of a signed, sample transcript for all massage therapy programs your school offers, and
- Breakdown of curriculum hours.*
*Note: 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.
Once the above materials are received, your Assigned School application will be complete. NCBTMB will notify you with your Assigned School Code upon review.
Please update information with NCBTMB at all times. This is not only to protect students who attend your school, but also to protect the school from people who may try to falsify your documents.
NCBTMB reserves the right to deny or revoke a school from a voluntary Assigned School Code if the school misrepresents its students, education, or any documentation submitted to NCBTMB.
Acceptable core curriculum content includes:
- Applications of massage and bodywork therapy for specific needs, conditions, or client populations
- Anatomy, physiology and kinesiology
- Research literacy
- Client assessment protocols, skills for client record keeping, strategies for interfacing with other health care providers
- Use of external agents such as water, heat, cold, or topicals
- Body-centered or somatic psychology, psychophysiology, interpersonal skills – which may include communication skills, boundary functions, phenomena of transference, counter-transference and projection
- Standards of practice, professional ethics or state laws
- Strategies for the marketing of massage and bodywork therapy practices
- Theory or practice of ergonomic science as applied to therapist or client
- Hygiene, methods of infectious disease control, organization and management of the treatment environment
- The use of massage therapy tools and their specific needs (tools may not be sold during class time and the instructor must be able to supply students with the tools during class)
- Working with the muscles within the oral cavity for specific treatments, i.e. working on the masseter muscle in conjunction with TMJ Disorder
- Self-care courses concentrating on nutrition and/or diet only, but only as it enhances the learner’s knowledge about the practice of massage therapy
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.
Accredited Schools: NCBTMB will accept a portion of classes via Learning Management System (LMS). Click here for more information.
To complete applications with NCBTMB, you must first login to your NCBTMB account on ncbtmb.org here.
If you do not have a NCBTMB account, Register here and fill out all required information, and Submit. You can then login to your NCBTMB account after confirmation the activation email you are sent.
To access applications once logged in, click on “Initial Applications” from the Quick Links portion of your dashboard.
- Log in to an existing account or Register for a new account.
- Once logged in, click “Initial Applications” from the Quick Links menu
- Complete the “Assigned School Application”
- Click Submit
There is no fee to become an Assigned School. Be sure you meet all required Assigned School curriculum and qualifications.
For more information, call us at 1-800-296-0664 and ask to speak with a school specialist. You may also email us directly at schooloutreach@ncbtmb.org.