On January 1^st, the new Standards of Practice (2022) came into effect. We encourage Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs/MTs) to consider how their practice meets the rules and requirements of the new Standards. The Standards take an outcomes-based approach, which mean the requirements can be met in a more flexible way depending on the practice setting and situation.

CMTO released Standard Spotlights to help RMTs better understand and apply the new Standards in practice. The Spotlights are one-page documents that highlight the expectations of each Standard and contain a list of questions to help reflect on whether RMTs are successfully meeting the new requirements.

As RMTs start reviewing their current approach to practice, we recommend beginning with the following areas:

• Consent | (Spotlight)
• Prevention of Sexual Abuse | (Spotlight)
• Professional Boundaries | (Spotlight)
• Infection Prevention and Control | (Spotlight)
• Safety and Risk Management | (Spotlight)
• Guide to Record Keeping Requirements

For example, one of the reflection questions in the Standard Spotlight for Consent suggests RMTs ask themselves:

When are you required to obtain a client’s signature as a part of documenting consent?

Using this question, RMTs can compare their answer to the requirements in the Standard of Practice: Consent. This process will help RMTs understand how, and/or if, their current approach to written consent meets the expectations of the new Standards.

The Standards of Practice, Standard Spotlights, FAQs, and other supporting documents are available on CMTO’s Standards and Rules webpage. The Standards of Practice video series is available on CMTO’s YouTube channel.

If you have questions after reviewing the Standards and the Standard Spotlights, please contact CMTO’s Practice Specialist at practicespecialist@cmto.com or 416-489-2626/1-800-465-1933 extension 4124.