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Graduating from Massage School in California? New Legislation (Part 2)

Published
by
Terry
on February 21, 2010
in certification, licensing, massage certification and massage licensing
. 1 Comment

When we concluded part 1 of our blog on this same topic, we said it might be worthwhile to watch out for further developments as Senate Bill 731 (SB-731) unfolds.  It confers the right to a private, non-profit association like the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) to issue certificates for massage therapists.  In SB-731, CAMTC is referred to as the Massage Therapy Organization or MTO.

So what’s the difference between a state-issued certificate and a CAMTC-issued certificate?  The answer given by CAMTC is that under state certification, a body or agency which is part of the California government will issue certificates; under the new SB-731, a non-governmental and non-profit organization like CAMTC issues certificates, and those certificates will be deemed valid by the government of California.

Other highlights of SB-731:

1.  The fee for obtaining this CAMTC certificate has not yet been determined.

2.  The CAMTC certificate, once obtained, will have to be renewed every two years.

3.  Individuals or organizations who serve on the CAMTC are:  two representatives from any association that has at least 1,000 California members for the last three years.  So far, only the  American Massage Therapy Association, California Chapter, (AMTA-CA) and the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) meet the criteria; they have already appointed their representatives.  The CAMTC is also thinking of adding representatives from “the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Community College Chancellor’s office and any incorporated association of private postsecondary schools that collectively have graduated at least 1,000 massage students in each of the last 3 years. Currently, there are representatives of the CA Association of Private-postsecondary Schools (CAPPS), the Career College Association (CCA), and the CA Massage School Association (CAMSA).”

4.  On whether it is necessary to obtain the National Certification Exam to be eligible for CAMTC certification, no decision has been made as to what tests are required for eligibility although the aim of SB-731 and the CAMTC is to be as “inclusive as possible”.  No tests are required for the practitioner category.

5.    The CAMTC will issue certificates for two groups:  massage practitioner (minimum of 250 hours training/education at an approved school required) and massage therapist (minimum of 500 hours of training/education at an approved school required).  There are, of course, other requirements one of which is fingerprinting.  When asked why fingerprinting is required, the CAMTC said that SB-731 would not have been approved if this wasn’t stipulated as a requirement.  The argument is that other professions, like teaching, require applicants to be fingerprinted.  The good news?  It is done only once.

An interesting issue:  what California massage schools will the CAMTC approve for certification purposes?  The government body that approves schools no longer exists because of the sunset clause.  So as far as we’re aware, there are no approved schools yet.  This is just one of many issues that the CAMTC is working on.

For those of you who want to read SB-731 in its entirety (approved in September 2008 by the Governor of California and went into effect September 2009), go to:  http://www.camtc.org/Docs/SB731.pdf.

Graduating from Massage School in California? New Legislation (Part 1)

Published
by
Terry
on February 20, 2010
in certification, licensing, massage business, massage certification and massage licensing
. 2 Comments

Calling all massage therapists and would-be massage therapists in California!  Have you heard of SB-731?  It’s a new law that created the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) and has everything to do with massage licensing and certification matters.  Its principal mission is to issue certification on a state-wide, voluntary basis.

We’ll provide the highlights of SB-731 in this blog and in the next blog (part 2):

1.  It is not mandatory to apply for a certification from the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) if you already hold a license as a massage therapist in California. But if you think you’ll be a long-term California resident, you may want to consider applying for one.  The way it works is that the local license that graduates apply for allows them to work only in the county they live in.  So if they moved to another county in California, they’d have to apply for a new license valid for that county.  The CAMTC wanted to eliminate this cumbersome process and pushed for legislation that would bestow a CAMTC-issued certificate upon graduates of California massage schools to practice anywhere in California.

2.  Application for a CAMTC-issued certificate is voluntary.  Based on the FAQ on their web site, they would start receiving applications in July-August this year, although certificates will not be issued before September 1, 2009.  When applicants will receive certificates is still not certain as CAMTC is holding a series of meetings and finalizing the process.  Remember that SB-731 is a new law.

3.   Certificate and city permit:  if you choose not to apply for a CAMTC certificate, you would be still subject to local ordinances.  Applying for one and getting approved means you need NOT apply for a local permit.  But you need to distinguish between a permit and a business license.  You won’t need a permit to practice if CAMTC-certified, but you would still need to comply with the county’s rules and regulations that apply to local businesses – that is, adhering to zoning, safety and health requirements and holding a valid license to operate your business.  Think of it as two separate entities:  you as a massage therapist and your business as a separate entity.  With a CAMTC-issued certificate, you won’t need to apply for a permit to practice as a massage therapist but your business would still be subject to local laws.  Of course this business license requirement does not apply if you work for an employer.

4.  The law also seeks to change the way titles are given.  Effective September 1, 2009, you won’t be able to call yourself – at least in the legal sense – a “Certified Massage Therapist” or “Certified Massage Practitioner.”  Only those who hold CAMTC certificates can legally hold these titles.  The CAMTC’s position on this matter is quite clear:  “Up to now, the term Certified Massage Therapist/Practitioner has actually had no legal meaning state-wide.  It might have meant that someone was issued a certificate by their school, or it might have meant that they were certified by their city or county.  Now the title will be recognized state-wide as referring to someone who has certified through the CAMTC.”

We’ll discuss more of the highlights of SB-731 and the ongoing efforts of CAMTC in our next blog post.  This development is worth watching as it may start a trend in other states as far as certification and licensing are concerned.  It could potentially lead to state governments transferring this authority to private, non-profit organizations like the CAMTC.

Massage Schools and Continuing Education (Part 2)

Published
by
Terry
on February 18, 2010
in continuing education, massage school, massage school locations, massage techniques, thai massage and trigger point massage
. 0 Comments

Let’s look at a few more massage schools with continuing education courses or at least have programs closely tied to continuing education.

Seacoast Career Schools in Maine

Seacost Career Schools with branches in Manchester and Sanford offer the Massage Therapy Program which focuses on “classical massage techniques, advanced therapeutic procedures and soft tissue manipulation.”  The program prepares students for the National Examination.  While the school’s web site does not have a section specifically for continuing education, you click on the “Accreditation” link at the bottom of the home page and you’ll see that Seacoast Career Schools work with the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) which involves the Department of Education of Maine, the Postsecondary Education Commission of New Hampshire, the Approving Agency for Veterans Education in Maine and the State Agency for Veterans Education in New Hampshire.

Seacoast Career Schools in Maine also have what they call “externships” aimed to provide students with opportunities to apply what they learned in a business, legal or medical setting.  This must be the school’s version of continuing education – instead of sitting in a classroom, you’re sent out “to the world” to learn some more.  Unfortunately, these externships are unpaid, although the school will assist you in obtaining an externship.

MTTI WellSpring (Center for Natural Health and Wellness) in Kansas City

MTTI WellSpring offers continuing education courses that are offered in the evenings and on weekends so that workers can fit the course of their choice into their busy work schedule.  Some of these courses are:

- Corrective Exercise Training (NASM Certification)
- Introduction to Energy Balancing
- Reiki I
- Lessons from Esalen (Introductory course)
- Advanced Esalen Massage
- Massage for People Living with Cancer

All the above courses are taught in MTTI’s Kansas City campus at 9140 Ward Parkway.  We were curious about Esalen and MTTI says that it’s based on Swedish massage although it borrows freely from Trigger Point, Thai massage and Energy massage.  The instructor is Ed Odell and the approach is described as a massage that “is done in a reverent manner and consists, in part, of long, flowing, rhythmic strokes combined with specific detail work, as well as elegant stretches and rotations. Emphasis for the therapist is on developing intuition when working with the client rather than performing a set routine.”

Given the growing popularity of massage therapy programs, it is no wonder that schools enthusiastically offer continuing education courses that are as valuable and stimulating as those offered in the regular programs.

Massage Schools and Continuing Education (Part 1)

Published
by
Terry
on February 15, 2010
in Uncategorized, continuing education, massage school and massage school locations
. 0 Comments

In previous blogs, we talked about how one’s education continues after massage school.  Experienced massage therapists strongly recommend that graduates should make the time to take continuing education courses.  Some states in fact require it.  But consider continuing education not as just another requirement to comply with but as a promising channel for learning the latest trends and coping with career challenges.

We did some research and it looks like a significant majority of massage schools offer continuing education courses.  Let’s look at a couple of them:

Virginia School of Massage in Charlottesville, Virginia
You’ll find an interesting array of continuing education courses here at the Virginia School of Massage.  Judging from their 2008 continuing education calendar, they include courses that could potentially attract a large number of massage therapists who are keen on upgrading their skills:

- Lomi-Lomi
- Hot Rockin/Sweet Feet Reflexology & Aromatherapy
- Creative Touch
- Japanese Zen Facial w/Aromatherapy

The courses range in price from $150.00 to $280.00, and some are taught on weekends.  The Virginia School of Massage in Charlottesville also offer reviews for the National Certification Exam.

National American University (NAU) in Bloomington, Minnesota
NAU in Bloomington offer the Associate of Applied Science in Therapeutic Massage Degree and the Diploma in Therapeutic Massage.  Although not specifically stating that it has a continuing education department, their program goals show that graduates can continue learning.  Their two specific goals relating to continuing education are:

- “prepare professionals who value education and recognize the importance of lifelong learning through participating in professional research, continuing education activities, and involvement in professional memberships and organizations.”
- “qualify graduates to pursue higher education in related areas of study.”

In addition to Bloomington, NAU also has other branches in Minnesota:  Brooklyn Center, Roseville, and Minnetonka.  All three branches also offer the Associate Degree of Applied Science in Therapeutic Massage and the Diploma in Therapeutic Massage.

It would be worth your while to take a closer look at the continuing education courses offered by massage schools because what happens after you obtain your degree is probably just as exciting, if not more exciting.  Establish a good relationship with the massage school of your choice so that you stay abreast of developments and trends that may improve your chances of opening up your own clinic or joining an organization with an impressive network of professionals and associations.

In our next blog, more school-hopping for continuing education courses!

Don’t Drop Out of Massage School Because of Economic Crunch

Published
by
Terry
on February 3, 2010
in financial aid, massage certification, massage school and massage school locations
. 0 Comments

These are grim times.  We hear grim tales of layoffs and their economic and psychological consequences on individuals and families.  The only upside we can think of is that perhaps it is during times of stress and hardship that massage therapy is viewed as a promising savior for all ills, imagined or not.  Investors love to talk about gold as being inflation-proof and no doubt business schools are busy preaching what they know best.  Massage therapy on the other hand can be described as a physical and emotional reliever during recessionary, inflationary and depression-like conditions.

Students like you are one of the hardest hit when these conditions seem to persist and can put an end to your education goals.  Dropping out of massage school should be a last resort and must be avoided at all costs.  In a previous blog we talked about scholarships and grants and other financial assistance programs like student loans.  They may be more limited these days as the U.Ss government tries to dig itself out of the hole, but if there’s a will there’s a way, so the saying goes.  You also have the option of doing your degree on a part time basis.  In fact, switching from being a full time student to a part time student is a much better alternative than dropping out.

Being a graduate student in a massage therapy program puts you in good stead.  Some schools may offer what is called the Employment Gap Scholarship program.  It targets individuals who have lost their jobs and who are in a graduate massage therapy program.  It will pay up to $2,000.00 of your tuition fees, but amounts may vary from school to school.   We’re sure other schools offer this type of assistance but may call it another name.  If you’ve just been displaced from work, ask the school you’re enrolled in if they have anything similar.

Apollo College in Albuquerque, New Mexico is one massage school that offers it.  You must have lost your job in the last 12 months and you need to demonstrate serious financial aid.  You’ll have to fill in the FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  To qualify for it, you must maintain a GPA average of 3.0 and also submit proof of unemployment.  The application date for 2009 is now past (September 30, 2009), but be first in line for next year.

Apollo College has a massage therapy program in all its five locations:  Albuquerque, Boise (Idaho), Mesa, Phoenix and Tucson (Arizona) and Spokane (Washington).  Based on what we read, there are presently five employment gap scholarships per location.

Don’t drop out just yet.  Look into this!

Kinesiology Article Added to Main Site at MSG

Published
by
Terry
on January 18, 2010
in kinesiology
. 0 Comments

We have prepared and posted an article focusing on kinesiology on our main website. Kinesiology is the science related to “movement” and “human motion.” It is important as a consideration for massage therapists because the study of kinesiology considers the relationships between muscles and muscle groups and how breakdowns in this system affect the way a person may be able, or not able, to function physically.

As a prospective student is reviewing potential massage schools, hopefully, they will be looking at the coursework and ares of study offered by the institution. It is common to see kinesiology listed as a unique area of study because of its importance in the scope of developing a therapeutic approach to a massage regimen and getting effective results.

Massage Instructor Profile – Chicago Massage School

Published
by
Terry
on January 13, 2010
in massage career and massage school
. 0 Comments

We have added a profile and questionnaire response to our main website for Dr. Patricia Coe, an instructor and clinic supervisor at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL.  As a doctor of chiropractic and massage therapist, Dr. Coe provides a truly unique perspective about the practice of massage therapy as a component of a holistic approach to healing. As an instructor, Dr. Coe also provides excellent insights into the process of choosing a massage therapy career, selecting a school and gaining the  most from a massage therapy education.

You can read our entire interview with this Chicago-area massage school instructor by clicking here.

The History of Massage – Informative New Article

Published
by
Terry
on January 5, 2010
in massage history
. 0 Comments

We have just added a new article to our website which documents the history of massage therapy. The article traces massage from its earliest roots in Egypt and China, through Greek and Roman civilizations, and also reveals the massage “dark ages” when touch was taboo and massage was dormant in Western cultures.

If you have an interest in understanding more about the sources and development of massge as a healing therapy you will find this article helpful.

Russian Massage Taught in Massage Schools

Published
by
Terry
on January 2, 2010
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

We may all be familiar with Swedish massage or Chinese massage, but we could use a bit of “enlightenment” about Russian massage.  An article by David Helwig caught our attention.  He says the basic premise of Russian message is that it focuses more on the “physiology of a dysfunction rather than on anatomy as the principal guideline for treatment.”

If we understand this correctly, the massage therapist looks at the injury and how this injury has brought about reduced mobility or range of motion.

David Helwig says that the Russian government recognized the importance of massage therapy in 1860 when medicines were in short supply.  Today, massage therapy is a major – if not the largest department – in most hospitals and clinics in the Soviet Union.  Given that massage therapy is considered a crucial and indispensable factor in physical rehabilitation, Russian massage therapists are regarded as medical practitioners.  Its approach is to combine sports and therapeutic massage by working on the body’s soft tissues to relieve muscle aches and pains and reduce stress.

In our previous blog, we said that the Utah College of Massage Therapy offers Russian Sports Therapy in its curriculum.  More research revealed that the Florida College of Natural Health in Miami, Florida also offers Russian massage.  The person we spoke to says that Russian massage is not a separate seminar but is part of the 14 modalities in the curriculum for the professional massage therapy program.  We also called the Baltimore School of Massage in Baltimore, Maryland and the lady we spoke to confirmed that Russian massage is one of the modalities in their massage therapy program.

When looking for specific courses in Russian massage or Russian sports therapy, you may not find many schools that list it as Russian massage because it is actually integrated into their modalities.  If you wish to make sure that you’re getting into a massage therapy program that teaches Russian massage either as a credit course, continuing education subject or as a seminar/workshop, you will need to call the school and speak to someone in the appropriate department.  Massage schools in larger cities usually have a toll free number.

If you come across admissions personnel who say they’ve never heard of Russian Massage (we spoke to one city school that didn’t have a clue as to what we were talking about), don’t be discouraged.  Russian massage has evolved into multi-disciplinary disciplines, and some of its principles may actually be integrated into the curriculum under a different name.  You can also check with the schools’ continuing education departments.

Looking for a Massage School in Utah?

Published
by
Terry
on December 14, 2009
in continuing education, massage school, massage school accreditation and massage school locations
. 0 Comments

You may be familiar with “Yahoo Answers.”  The way it works is anyone with a Yahoo account (Yahoo mail, Yahoo messenger) can log in and post a question about any subject.  People post their answers and earn credits.  We came across one question that asked where one could find a list of the top ranked massage therapy schools.  One person posted this answer:

“Check out Utah College of Massage Therapy….they have an Arizona campus I believe…I went there. If you can ignore politics, the education is absolutely amazing.”

Out of sheer curiosity, we did.  The Utah College of Massage Therapy (UCMT for short) is a family of schools with locations in Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado.  The Utah campus is located in Lindon County. It will take you seven months to complete the program on full time enrollment, twelve months if done part time. You should complete 51 quarter credit hours and 815.5 clock hours.  The UCMT in Utah combines class theory, lab work and business concepts and methods to prepare students for the market place.  This is especially useful if you’re thinking of setting up your own practice after graduation.  Because the Utah College of Massage Therapy trains health care specialists as well, it includes CPR and First Aid training and certification.  They have interesting courses like Cranial Sacral Therapy, Russian Sports Therapy and Trigger Point Therapy.  UCMT also offers the Master Bodyworker Program, which students can also take after they have completed the Professional Massage Therapy Program.

If someone were to ask us to name one USP (unique selling point) of the Utah College of Massage Therapy in Utah, it would have to be the fact that they are a part of the Steiner Education Group.  This company owns massage therapy schools and skin care schools in nine states and 17 locations.  The Group is wholly owned by Steiner Leisure Limited which provides spa services globally; two of the industries they service are the cruise ship industry (about 130 cruise ships) and the spa resort industry.

We’ve read some of the stories by graduates of UCMT.  There’s Noel Olsen who says he set up a part-time private practice and worked in the military to introduce massage therapy into the athletic programs of the military.  There’s Jay Fultz who fulfilled his dream of volunteering for the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralymptics which to him.  He says it’s one of the best things he has ever done.  And then there’s Nicole Weston, a Canadian resident, who went to UCMT to do the Professional Massage Therapy Program.  When she returned to her native British Columbia, she thought she might have a difficult time landing a job but was surprised to learn that she was immediately hired by one of the province’s top resorts.  Her starting fee was $35.00 an hour plus tips.  That was in 1998.  Imagine what she’s making now!

Make your dream of becoming a massage therapist come true…just like UCMT graduates did!