Regulations
The registration Regulation made under the Massage Therapy Act, 1991 states the following requirements for renewal of a General Certificate of registration:
7, (1) 2. The member shall practise the profession only if,
- the member has provided at least 500 hours of direct client care within the scope of practice of the profession in the previous three years, or
- the member has, within the previous fifteen months, successfully completed a refresher course approved by the College
This requirement specifies that the direct client care must be performed within the scope of practice of the profession.
Scope Statement
Section 3. of the Massage Therapy Act, 1991 states:
“The practice of Massage Therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain.”
Policy
Direct client care is defined as professional activities on behalf of a client or supervision of direct client care
Each of these activities must be within the scope of practice of Massage Therapy and must contribute to maintaining competence in Massage Therapy assessment and treatment. When determining whether a specific activity constitutes direct client care members must consider whether the activity maintains the knowledge and skills required to perform treatments and assessments within a Massage Therapy practice.
Professional activities include:
- Assessment of the soft tissue and joints ,
- Recommending, developing, or implementing a treatment plan based on the assessment of the client’s needs,
- Treatment of the soft tissue and joints,
- Conducting research in Massage Therapy that involves the assessment or treatment of clients with soft tissue or joint disorders.
Supervision of direct client care includes:
- Overseeing and evaluating Massage Therapists or Massage Therapy students in the provision of direct client care ( e.g. conducting performance evaluations or case reviews, assessing treatment plans. and recording and monitoring adherence to the scope of practice as defined by the Code of Ethics, the Standards of Practice and the regulations),
- Supervising research in Massage Therapy that involves the assessment or treatment of clients requiring Massage Therapy services.
Profession-related activities may be used to supplement professional activities and/or supervision of direct client care, but do not in and of themselves constitute direct client care.
members who have not performed the hours of direct client care required to renew their registration may request the Registration Committee to accept profession-related work to supplement their direct client care hours. Profession related activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Administration of the organization and delivery of client care,
- Educating Massage Therapy students in non-practicum-related aspects of Massage Therapy education,
- Time spent as an active member of a committee of the College,
- Courses and activities relevant to professional development in Massage Therapy.
Approved: September 20, 2004
Amended: September 9, 2005