Language Fluency Policy

Reason for this Policy

Effective communication is essential for Registered Massage Therapists/Massage Therapists (RMTs/MTs) to provide competent, safe and quality Massage Therapy services. Applicants must meet the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) language fluency requirement before taking the Certification Examinations. This policy outlines the five pathways available for meeting this requirement.

Background

The Registration Regulation under the Massage Therapy Act, 1991, states that an “applicant must possess sufficient language proficiency, in either English or French, to be able to communicate and comprehend effectively, both orally and in writing.”

An RMT’s/MT’s language fluency enhances public protection by ensuring that registrants can communicate effectively with CMTO, patients, and other members of the healthcare team. This includes activities such as:

• Interacting with patients (health history discussions, developing a treatment plan, obtaining informed consent, etc.);
• Understanding CMTO’s Standards of Practice, policies and program requirements;
• Meeting the requirements to obtain and maintain registration, and
• Collaborating with other regulated health professionals.

Requirements

The language fluency requirement can be met through one of the following five pathways:

Pathway 1: English or French as First and Primary Language

Sign a self-declaration affirming English or French is their first and primary language (the first language learned and the language used most now).

Pathway 2: Completion of High School in English of French

Sign a self-declaration affirming that they completed their high school education in English or French, and identify the school’s name and location. A minimum of three (3) years of high school must be completed; completing a single high school course is not accepted.

Pathway 3: Language Fluency Test

Achieve the minimum required score in each section of a CMTO approved standardized English or French language test in within 24 months before applying take the Certification Examinations (see tables below for details). The testing agency must submit test scores directly to CMTO.

Pathway 4: Massage Therapy Education

Successfully complete a recognized Massage Therapy program that has both:

• A language requirement for admission that:
  • Is the same as the requirements in Pathways 1 and/or 2; and/or
  • Requires one or more of the language fluency tests in the tables below that evaluates reading, writing, listening and speaking; and
• Two courses (each equal to three (3) full credits or 30 hours in length) in English or French comprehension or health-related communications. The courses must be mandatory for all students in the Massage Therapy program, not just for those whose first language is not English or French. Students must submit an original program transcript to CMTO demonstrating successful completion of the courses.

A list of schools that currently meet these requirements can be found in Appendix A.

Pathway 5: Other Compelling Evidence

Provide other compelling evidence of language fluency (e.g. completion of a university degree in English or French). CMTO will review the evidence on a case-by-case basis.

Possible Outcomes

If an applicant meets the requirements of one of the language Pathways, but CMTO later determines they are not fluent in English or French, the applicant will be required to submit proof that they have obtained the minimum required scores on an approved language fluency test to apply for a Certification Examination and/or complete registration.

For specific inquiries about whether you meet the language fluency requirement, please contact registrationservices@cmto.com

Hyperlinks in the tables are provided for applicants’ convenience. Applicants are responsible for choosing the recognized test that best suits their needs.

CMTO encourages applicants to contact individual testing agencies early in the application process to determine the costs and timelines for completing the language test, etc., as these are set by each testing agency, not CMTO.

Approved: July 1, 2014 (valid until May 1, 2026)
Reformatted: August 6, 2019
Revised: November 27, 2015 for implementation February 1, 2016, January 18, 2021, December 9, 2022, March 25, 2024
Updated wording/numbering for amended Registration Regulation: July 1, 2024
Revised: September 30, 2024, November 1, 2024, March 3, 2025, February 23, 2026