Massage CEU requirements vary by state, type of certification and organization.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are classes or seminars that you can take to enhance your certification or license. In some cases, these classes are refresher courses or updates to existing information. In other cases, they provide additional skills, such as learning new techniques or modalities. CEU requirements vary by state, organization and type of licensing or certification. However, any licensed massage therapist should consider pursuing CEUs in order to keep her skills up-to-date.
Professional Association Requirements
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) are the two major professional associations for massage therapists and body workers. Both organizations require their members to have CEUs and they often have agreements with educational providers for discounts. The AMTA requires at least 48 clock hours every four years while the ABMP requires 16 clock hours every two years.
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) is part professional organization, part certifying body. Most therapists in the U.S. are certified or licensed at the state level. However, some states, like Alaska, do not require certification and that's where the NCBTMB certification comes in handy. Therapists can also use the NCBTMB certification to work in an international setting or if moving to another state. The NCBTMB requires 48 CEU hours every four years.
State Requirements
States control their own licensing and certification for massage therapists. Some states, including Wisconsin, Rhode Island and Ohio, require no CEUs at all. As of May 2010, South Dakota required the lowest amount at eight CEU hours per year, while North Dakota required the most at 32 hours every two years. To find out the specific requirements for your state, check with an organization such as the ABMP or AMTA. Some states use the NCBTMB state level test to certify their therapists. Some states, like Kentucky, require roughly the same number of CEUs as the NCBTMB while others, like Connecticut, require fewer hours.
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