Massage Therapist’s Complete Guide to Massage CEUs - Section 4: NCBTMB CEU Questions
Section 4: NCBTMB CEU Questions
What is NCBTMB?
NCBTMB stands for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.
NCBTMB is an independent, private, nonprofit organization that was founded in 1992. Its mission is to elevate the massage therapy profession by establishing and advancing professional credentials and standards of excellence. NCBTMB administers Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB®) and maintains an Approved Provider program for continuing education. (NCBTMB)
NCBTMB Board Certification is a professional credential separate from a state massage therapy license. State licensing boards determine the requirements for practicing massage therapy in their jurisdictions, while NCBTMB provides a national professional credential and continuing education program. (NCBTMB)
For massage therapists, NCBTMB is particularly relevant because many continuing education providers offer courses approved through the NCBTMB Approved Provider program.
What does NCBTMB approved mean?
When a continuing education provider or course is described as NCBTMB approved, it generally means that the provider has been approved through NCBTMB's Approved Provider program and that qualifying courses meet NCBTMB's continuing education standards.
NCBTMB establishes requirements for Approved Providers relating to areas such as instructor qualifications, course content, learning objectives, assessments, records, certificates, and professional standards. (NCBTMB Approved Provider Handbook)
NCBTMB Approved Provider status can be particularly important for massage therapists who maintain BCTMB Board Certification, because NCBTMB requires Board Certificants to obtain their renewal CE from NCBTMB Approved Providers. (NCBTMB)
However, there is an important distinction: NCBTMB approval does not automatically mean that every course is accepted for license renewal in every state.
What is an NCBTMB Approved Provider?
An NCBTMB Approved Provider is an organization or individual that has gone through NCBTMB's approval process to provide continuing education for massage and bodywork professionals.
NCBTMB maintains an Approved Provider program with standards designed to promote quality continuing education. Approved Providers must meet NCBTMB requirements involving areas such as education, course development, instructor qualifications, documentation, business practices, ethics, and student records. (NCBTMB Approved Providers)
NCBTMB also maintains a searchable directory where massage therapists can look for Approved CE Providers and courses. (NCBTMB Directory) We are an NCBTMB Approved Provider, provider number 409296-00.
Are NCBTMB-approved CEUs accepted by my state?
They may be, but you should not assume that NCBTMB approval automatically guarantees state acceptance.
This is one of the most important things massage therapists should understand about continuing education.
NCBTMB Approved Provider status is recognized as part of the continuing education requirements in several states. NCBTMB specifically states that Approved Provider status is included in the requirements of several states for continuing education for licensees.
However, each state establishes its own massage therapy licensing requirements. A state may require specific subjects, limit the number of online hours, require particular courses, or have additional requirements beyond simply using an NCBTMB Approved Provider.
Do I need NCBTMB-approved courses to renew my massage license?
Not necessarily.
Whether you need NCBTMB-approved continuing education to renew your massage therapy license depends on the requirements of your state licensing board.
Some states specifically recognize or require education from NCBTMB Approved Providers, while other states have their own approval systems or recognize courses from multiple organizations and providers. This is different from maintaining NCBTMB Board Certification.
If you are a BCTMB Board Certificant, NCBTMB currently requires you to complete 24 hours of continuing education from NCBTMB Approved Providers every two years.
Therefore:
For state license renewal: Follow your state's requirements.
For NCBTMB Board Certification renewal: Follow NCBTMB's requirements.
A course may satisfy one requirement without necessarily satisfying another, so it is important to know which credential you are trying to maintain.
How many CEUs does NCBTMB require?
24 hours of continuing education every two years, with 3 being in ethics.
The continuing education must be obtained from NCBTMB Approved Providers. NCBTMB also requires the CE hours to be completed within the applicable renewal period.
NCBTMB's current renewal requirements also state that Board Certificants must submit documentation of their state massage license and CE certificates when renewing.
It is important to remember that these are NCBTMB Board Certification requirements, not a universal requirement for every massage therapist in the United States.
State massage therapy licenses have their own continuing education requirements, which can be different from NCBTMB's requirements.
Can I take NCBTMB-approved CEUs online?
Yes. NCBTMB-approved continuing education can be offered through online and distance-learning formats, including home-study and asynchronous education.
NCBTMB distinguishes between different types of distance education. Its Approved Provider Handbook recognizes home-study/asynchronous distance learning as well as synchronous distance-learning/webinar courses. (NCBTMB Approved Provider Handbook)
For home-study and asynchronous courses where a test is required, NCBTMB's handbook specifies that a Certificate of Achievement is issued after the participant successfully completes the course requirements. (NCBTMB Approved Provider Handbook)
This makes online CE a convenient option for massage therapists who need flexibility around their work schedules.
We are an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00 and you can complete any of our 24 CE hour packages for your license renewal.
Remember that if you are using the course for state license renewal, you should also confirm that your state accepts the particular online format and course.
How do I verify that a course is NCBTMB approved?
The best way to verify NCBTMB approval is to use the NCBTMB directory or verify the provider's current NCBTMB Approved Provider number.
NCBTMB maintains a directory that allows users to search for Approved CE Providers and courses. (NCBTMB Directory)
You should also look at the course certificate and make sure it identifies the appropriate information. NCBTMB's Approved Provider Handbook states that certificates should include information such as the:
- Course title
- Number of approved CE hours
- NCBTMB Approved Provider name
- NCBTMB Approved Provider number
- Required provider/instructor signature information
NCBTMB also states that certificates showing course hours different from the hours approved can be rejected by NCBTMB and state boards.
What is the difference between NCBTMB Board Certification and state licensure?
State licensure and NCBTMB Board Certification are two different credentials.
State massage therapy license
A state massage therapy license is a legal credential that allows a person to practice massage therapy within a particular state, subject to that state's laws and regulations.
The state licensing authority determines requirements such as:
- Initial education
- Examination requirements
- Background checks
- License renewal
- Continuing education
- Scope of practice
- Professional conduct requirements
- The requirements vary from state to state.
NCBTMB Board Certification
NCBTMB Board Certification is a national professional credential rather than a state-issued license. NCBTMB describes BCTMB® as the highest credential within the massage and bodywork profession. Board Certification demonstrates advanced assessment and critical-thinking abilities and requires candidates to meet NCBTMB's certification requirements, including passing the Board Certification examination and agreeing to uphold NCBTMB's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
Board Certification can provide a professional credential in addition to a state massage therapy license, but it does not replace the license required by a state that regulates massage therapy.
In simple terms:
State license = legal permission to practice in that state.
NCBTMB Board Certification = national professional credential.
They serve different purposes and should not be confused with one another.
Do I need to be NCBTMB Board Certified to practice massage therapy?
No, not generally.
NCBTMB Board Certification is a professional credential and is not the same thing as a state massage therapy license.
If your state regulates massage therapy, you generally need to meet that state's licensing requirements to legally practice there. Those requirements are established by the state licensing authority.
NCBTMB states that Board Certification is the highest credential within the massage and bodywork profession, but Board Certification is separate from state licensure. (NCBTMB)
Whether Board Certification is required, recognized, or beneficial for a particular massage therapist depends on the state, employer, professional goals, and individual circumstances.
Massage therapists may choose Board Certification because they want to demonstrate advanced professional knowledge and maintain a nationally recognized credential. However, a massage therapist should not assume that obtaining NCBTMB Board Certification eliminates the need for a state license.