The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) is seeking feedback on a proposal to replace the Policy: Massage Therapy Graduates/Students Practising Without being Registered with expanded guidance in the CMTO Student Guide and an updated Certificate of Registration Policy.
Background:
CMTO is aware that some Massage Therapy students and graduates seek to earn an income by providing (unregulated) massage services. CMTO’s Policy: Massage Therapy Graduates/Students Practising Without being Registered identifies several risks related to that activity. It prohibits students and graduates from providing massage services before they are registered with CMTO as a Registered Massage Therapist/Massage Therapist (RMT/MT). If an applicant does practise prior to registration, that information is considered as part of their application for registration.
It is important to note that the provision of massage services is in the public domain and CMTO has no authority over individuals who aren’t registrants unless they hold themselves out as qualified to practise as an RMT/MT (for example, by referring to the services they provide as Massage Therapy, or by using the RMT/MT designation). CMTO would like to continue to provide guidance, within the scope of its authority, about the risks related to the provision of massage services by non-RMTs.
Proposed CMTO Student Guide Update:
Currently, the CMTO Student Guide is clear that students and graduates cannot practise Massage Therapy or use the RMT/MT designation. It is proposed to expand the Guide to include detailed information about the risks to the public related to unregulated massage services, and CMTO’s expectations about having policies and processes in place to mitigate these risks.
Certificate of Registration Policy Update:
The Certificate of Registration Policy describes how an RMT/MT is expected to safeguard their Certificate of Registration and their registration number from unauthorized use. It is proposed to add more detailed information to the policy about the prohibition on the use of an RMT/MT’s registration number in connection with a treatment or service they have not provided directly.
Please review the Proposed Updates to the CMTO Student Guide and the Certificate of Registration Policy document for more information.
To share your feedback on the proposed updates, please fill out the survey by Friday, October 9, 2026. You may also join the discussion by submitting your comments on our discussion board below.
