Massage Therapist’s Complete Guide to Massage CEUs - Section 2: Online Massage Therapy CEU Questions
Can massage therapists take CEUs online?
Yes. Many massage therapists can complete continuing education courses online.
Online massage therapy CEUs allow therapists to complete their education using a computer, tablet, or smartphone rather than attending a class in person. Online courses can be especially convenient for licensed massage therapists who have busy schedules, work independently, or live far from traditional classroom courses.
The NCBTMB approves both in-person and online continuing education courses provided by educators who meet its continuing education standards.
However, whether online CE courses can be used for your license renewal depends on your state or licensing jurisdiction. State regulatory boards determine which continuing education courses meet their renewal requirements.
We offer entirely online courses as well as mailed course materials, allowing therapists to choose the format that works best for them. Please check our Approvals page to determine if your state allows online or home-study CE hours.
Are online massage therapy CEUs accepted?
Online CEUs are accepted in many states, but acceptance is not universal.
The important question isn't simply whether a course is online. You also need to determine whether your state licensing board accepts the course, provider, subject matter, and delivery format.
Some states specifically allow online or home-study education, while others may place limits on the number of hours that can be completed through certain formats.
Before purchasing an online CE course, check:
- Your state's required number of CE hours
- Whether online courses are accepted
- Whether home-study courses are accepted
- Whether there is a limit on online or home-study hours
- Required CE topics, such as ethics
- Whether the provider must have a specific approval
- Whether the course itself must be approved
Do not assume that because an online course is accepted in one state, it will automatically be accepted in every state. Please check our Approvals page to determine if your state allows online or home-study CE hours.
Are online CEUs legitimate for massage therapists?
Yes. Online continuing education can be a legitimate way for massage therapists to complete CE requirements when the course and provider meet the applicable requirements.
NCBTMB recognizes home-study courses as a form of continuing education. NCBTMB defines a home-study course as an asynchronous educational experience in which the learner is remote from the instructor. These courses may be distributed through a website, email, or written materials.
NCBTMB also has an Approved Provider program. NCBTMB Approved Providers must meet requirements relating to instructor qualifications, course documentation, course content, and professional standards.
However, “legitimate” does not automatically mean “accepted by every state.” State licensing boards make their own decisions about which continuing education courses satisfy state license-renewal requirements. Please check our Approvals page to determine if your state allows online or home-study CE hours.
Can I complete my massage CEUs from home?
Yes. Many online and home-study massage therapy CE courses can be completed entirely from home.
Home-study education allows a massage therapist to study course materials and complete the required assessment without attending a traditional classroom.
NCBTMB recognizes home-study as an asynchronous form of continuing education. Home-study courses can be delivered through websites, email, or written materials.
We offer online courses that can be completed from home and mailed course materials for therapists who prefer a paper-based study option. Our courses are self-paced and have no course-completion deadline.
Before completing a home-study course, verify that your licensing board accepts that format.
Can I take massage therapy CEUs on my phone?
Yes. Many online CE courses can be completed using a smartphone, although the technology requirements vary by provider.
Whether you can comfortably complete a particular course on your phone depends on how the provider's course platform is designed.
If you plan to take CE courses primarily on your phone, look for a provider that offers:
- Mobile-friendly course pages
- Easy-to-read course materials
- Mobile-compatible exams
- Secure online access
- The ability to save your progress
You may also want to use a computer or tablet for courses containing extensive reading or detailed study materials.
Can I take CEUs at my own pace?
Yes. Many online and home-study CE courses are self-paced.
Self-paced education allows you to decide when and where you study rather than attending a class at a predetermined time.
For example, our courses are flexible and self-paced, allowing students to start their courses and complete their CE hours on their own schedule. Our courses also do not have a course-completion deadline.
Self-paced CEUs can be especially useful for massage therapists who work full-time, operate their own practice, have irregular schedules, or need to complete CE hours around their clients.
Keep in mind that being self-paced does not mean you can ignore your license renewal deadline. You are still responsible for completing the required CE hours within the period established by your licensing authority.
How long does it take to complete an online CEU course?
The amount of time needed depends on the number of CE hours, course format, and your own study pace.
A course designated as 3 CE hours is intended to represent approximately the amount of educational time associated with those three hours, although the specific calculation can depend on the organization and course format.
Online courses may allow you to study in multiple sessions rather than completing everything in one sitting. For example, we allow students to study and take their open-book exams at their own pace, and courses have no course-completion deadline.
The important distinction is that CE hours are not necessarily the same thing as the amount of time you happen to spend clicking through a website. Reputable CE providers establish course hours based on their applicable continuing education standards.
If you need to complete CEUs before a license renewal deadline, give yourself enough time to study, complete any required exam, and receive your certificate.
Do online massage CEU courses require a final exam?
Some do and some do not. The requirements depend on the provider, course, and applicable approval standards.
We use open-book exams for its courses. Students study at their own pace and take the exam when they are ready, with a 70% passing score.
An online CE course may use an exam, quiz, evaluation, or another method to verify participation or learning. Requirements can vary depending on the provider and approval organization.
If you are choosing a course, check the course description before purchasing so you know whether an exam or other assessment is required.
For therapists who prefer to have their course materials available while testing, an open-book format can provide a convenient way to review the material while completing the assessment.
Do online CEU courses provide a certificate?
Yes. Reputable continuing education providers provide a certificate of achievement after the course requirements have been successfully completed.
A CE certificate provides documentation that you completed the course and can be important when renewing a license or responding to a continuing education audit.
The exact information shown on a certificate can vary by provider, but you should generally expect documentation identifying information such as:
- Your name
- Course title
- Number of CE hours
- Completion date
- Provider information
- Approval or provider number, when applicable
Keep your certificates and other completion records in a safe place after completing your courses.
Can I print my CEU certificate?
Yes, depending on the provider's certificate-delivery method.
Many online CE providers allow students to access, download, save, or print certificates after completing the course. The available delivery method depends on the course format; online courses provide convenient certificate access, while paper courses include a certificate mailed after the course is successfully completed.
Keeping a digital copy as well as a printed copy can be a good practice. Store your CE certificates somewhere you can easily find them when it is time to renew your license.
How do I prove that I completed my CEUs?
The most common way to document completed continuing education is by maintaining your certificate of completion and course records.
Depending on your licensing board, you may be required to report your CE hours during renewal or provide documentation if you are selected for an audit. For courses outside a system that automatically reports completion, you should keep your own records.
A good CE record should include:
- Course title
- Provider name
- Provider or approval number
- Number of CE hours
- Completion date
- Certificate of completion
- Course approval information, when applicable
Do not rely solely on the provider to maintain your records. Keep copies of your certificates in your own files in case you need them later.
Are home-study CEUs accepted?
Home-study CEUs are considered the same as online CEUs and accepted in many circumstances, but acceptance depends on the requirements of the applicable licensing board.
NCBTMB recognizes home-study as an approved form of continuing education and defines it as an asynchronous educational experience where the learner is remote from the instructor. Home-study courses may be delivered online, by email, or through written materials.
However, NCBTMB approval or recognition of a particular education format does not automatically mean that every state accepts every home-study course for license renewal.
We offer both online home-study courses and mailed course materials, giving therapists multiple ways to complete their education.
What's the difference between online and live CE courses?
The primary difference is how the education is delivered.
Online or home-study CE courses
Online home-study courses are generally asynchronous, meaning you complete the educational material independently rather than attending a class with an instructor at a specific time.
This format can offer:
- Flexible scheduling
- Self-paced learning
- No travel
- The ability to study from home
- Convenient access from a computer or mobile device
- Options for completing education around your work schedule
NCBTMB defines home study as an asynchronous educational experience in which the learner is remote from the instructor.
Live CE courses
Live courses involve instruction delivered at a scheduled time, either in person or remotely with an instructor teaching in real time.
NCBTMB distinguishes distance learning/webinars from home study. A distance-learning webinar is a synchronous educational experience in which the learner is remote from an instructor who is teaching in real time. NCBTMB states that the criteria for distance-learning/webinar classes are the same as for live classes.
Live courses can provide opportunities for real-time interaction, questions, demonstrations, and discussion with an instructor and other participants.
Which format is better?
Neither format is automatically better for every massage therapist.
Online/self-paced CEUs may be best if you want flexibility and the ability to study around your schedule.
Live CE courses may be preferable if you learn best through direct interaction, demonstrations, discussion, or real-time instruction.
Most importantly, choose a format that your state licensing board accepts and that meets your professional learning needs.