Referral and Credentials
(w00kie, Heavy Massage, flickr. CC: BY 2.0. Downloaded on 05/20/09.)
Finding a well trained therapist can be difficult due to variations in licensing from state to state. Not all states have a credentialing or licensing requirement for practitioners. Michigan has recently passed a law requiring attendance at an accredited school and/or national certification; however, some therapists will continue to be able to practice even if they do not meet these qualifications.
Massage therapists can, athough are not required, to take an exam by The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Individuals can be certified in massage alone or in massage and bodywork. This national certification is honored by most states, although is not required by all. Because of state to state variability, it is useful to ask a potential therapist whether they are certified by the NCBTMB. The NCBTMB maintains a registry of massage therapists listed by state that have passed the national exams on their website. Therapist often use the initials NCTM or NCTMB to signify their credentials.
Another source to find a therapist is the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Their website provides a search feature to find a massage therapist by state and city.
It is reasonable to contact a therapist ahead of time to understand more about their practice and with what kinds of medical conditions and ages they are comfortable working.