College of Massage Therapists of Ontario

CHOOSING A SCHOOL

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Massage Therapist in Ontario.

The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario regulates the massage therapy profession through the administration of the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the Massage Therapy Act, (MTA) as they pertain to the classification and practice of massage therapy in Ontario. The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario exists to protect and serve the public by ensuring the competency and quality of care provided by Massage Therapists through the maintenance of Standards and Regulations. Through its activities and programmes the College provides quality assurance and continuing education for Massage Therapists.

Massage therapy in Ontario is a growing profession that is part of the health care team providing primary care to clients and to the general population concerned with maintaining and enhancing health and well being. Massage Therapists use Swedish massage techniques and additional forms of soft tissue manipulation and joint mobilisations as a complement to existing courses of medical treatment or as an exclusive treatment programme.

Massage Therapists treat many conditions such as muscular "weakness" and "wasting" arising from disease, injury or immobility resulting from:

Sprains and strains
Fractures
Trauma (i.e., motor vehicle accidents)
Sports/athletic injuries
Tendonitis
Muscle spasms or spasticity
Post operative care and rehabilitation

Massage Therapists also treat chronic conditions resulting in musculo-skeletal involvement.
For example:

Chronic nonspecific low back pain
Muscular tension headaches
"Stress" syndromes
Chronic pain syndromes
Muscular pain involvement in arthritis
Muscular tension of the jaw, face and neck

Massage therapy will provide a satisfying and challenging career to those who wish to work in a health care field and enhance the health and well being of their clients.

Massage Therapy Education

Prerequisites:
Grade 12 or the equivalent, a background in Biology would be helpful

Course of Study:
Two to three years

Anatomy, Hydrotherapy, Physiology, Pathology, Histology, Massage Treatment, Massage Theory Terminology, Kinesiology, Remedial Exercises, Ethics & Professionalism, Business Management, Communication Skills, Public Health, Nutrition, Clinical Practice, Self Care for Practitioners

Financial Aid:
O.S.A.P. for those who qualify, please contact the O.S.A.P. office of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Registration Requirements:
Graduation from a program approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities offered by a Ministry registered College of Applied Arts and Technology or Private Career College.

The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario does not approve/register programs or schools. As such, the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario does not grant approval to educational institutions to market programs as having been approved or to use the CMTO corporate logo.

Successful completion of certification examinations administered by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. A minimum scaled score of 70 is required on each component of the examination, written and OSCE. The applicant must satisfy the Registration Committee that nothing in the applicant's previous conduct affords reasonable grounds for the belief that he or she lacks the knowledge, skill, or judgement to practise safely and ethically. O. Reg. 864/93, s.5 (1); O. Reg 396/94, s.1.

The Applicant must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or authorized under the Immigration Act (Canada) to engage in the practice of the profession.

The applicant must be able to speak and write either English or French with reasonable fluency. O. Reg. 864/93, S.6.

The applicant must provide proof of eligibility to acquire professional liability insurance, and prior to the issuance of a certificate, must show proof of actual coverage.

Annual registration fee

Employment:
Private Practice
Clinic/Group Clinic
Spas/Health Clubs
Chiropractor's Practice
Physicianís Practice
Sports Injury Clinics
Sports Teams
Nursing Homes
Hospitals

Choosing a Massage Therapy School

If you are considering a career as a Massage Therapist, choosing your school is one of the most important decisions you will make. You will be making a large investment of time and money so take your time and talk to as many different schools as you can. When investigating a potential school consider the following:

1.	Your personal needs and preferences What size school do you prefer? Are you comfortable in a small town? In the city? What will your living expenses be and what can you afford without having to work too many hours? Does commuting make sense for you? What kind of living arrangements can you make? Do you have good supports (friends and family) to help you out? Is adequate child care available?
2.	The "feel" of the school Are the staff friendly and helpful? Are you welcome to visit and sit in on classes? Is the admission process easy or too difficult? Are you satisfied that the school sets high admission standards? Are you provided with written materials that clearly explain the school's requirements, the tuition and other expenses, and application process? Does the school sign a contract with its students? Do you feel at home in the atmosphere of the school? Do you have the opportunity to speak to current students and/or graduates? Do you like what you hear?
3.	The school's reputation and standing How long has the school been in business? Does it have a reputation for high standards? What is its history of success at the College of Massage Therapist of Ontario certification exams? Is the school in good standing with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities? What is its OSAP default rate? Does it have programme approval/accreditation from respected sources? Does the school have positive name recognition with employers? Will being a graduate of this school enhance your employability/opportunities for successful practice? Does the school participate actively in the massage therapy profession? What are its professional affiliations?
4.	The quality of the school and the programme Does the school's curriculum meet the Massage Therapy Competency Standards set by the College? Are its facilities adequate to deliver its programme? How many direct clinical care hours does each student receive? Do the clinical experiences provide diversity of involvement with many types of clients and health conditions? Does the school have a community outreach programme? Are all student placements fully supervised by on-site Massage Therapists? What are the student/teacher ratios in the school's various educational experiences? Does the school have teachers with strong reputations in the field? Are there Massage Therapists on staff in all subject areas? What is the school's teacher turnover rate? Does it have an on-going teacher professional development programme? Does it have a continuing education programme for its graduates? Can students pursue their particular interests in the school's programme? Are the school's academic policies clearly stated? What happens if a student fails? Are students given transcripts/progress reports during the programme? Does the school have a code of ethics?
5.	Services available to students Does the school have a library and quiet study area? A student lounge? Is tutoring available? Remedial Clinics? Study Skills support? Are there services for students with special needs? Is there a student guidance/counselling service? Do the students have a representative voice that is listened to? Are students fully covered for insurance? Do students feel well served by the school?

The above list is only a guide.
Take a moment to add your own questions to it.