Earlier this week, NCBTMB announced significant changes to their continuing education guidelines in two specific areas – 1) acceptance of energy work classes and 2) requirements for new massage CE providers. The details of changes to each area are listed below:
Energy Work Classes Acceptance
…NCBTMB will only accept energy work courses that include “the application of professional therapeutic touch” as of June 19, 2017. Translated, this means that distant healing, aura techniques, crystal work, Qi Gong, Tai Chi and other techniques that do not include professional touch between therapist and client will no longer be accepted. Courses that are currently approved will be honored through the Approved Provider’s expiration date; however, when the time comes for an Approved Provider to renew his/her/its status, any energy work course (not including anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, ethics, professionalism, research, pathology, business, safety) that does not include “the application of professional therapeutic touch” will be retired.
New Massage CE Provider Requirements
All Approved Providers must follow state rules prior to applying. In addition to state rules, Approved Providers must meet one of the bulleted points below:
- Holds a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or a substantially equivalent accrediting body of a foreign sovereign state, with a major in a subject directly related to the content of the program to be offered;
OR- Has completed at least five years of professional experience in the practice of massage therapy; AND Has a minimum of two years teaching experience in the subject matter; OR
- Has completed a NCBTMB approved teacher training program in the modality of interest;
OR- Has completed at least 100 hour of non-entry level education in the subject matter to be offered and has a minimum of two years of professional experience in the subject