How Regulation Protects You
The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) is one of 26 health regulatory colleges created by the Ontario Government. Not to be confused with educational facilities that train health professionals, health regulatory colleges help protect the public’s right to safe, effective and ethical care.
Through legislation and regulations, and standards and policies set by the colleges, regulated healthcare professionals are accountable to their regulatory college for the care/services they provide.
CMTO protects the public through:
If you have a concern or complaint about a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT/MT), you can submit a complaint that will be investigated. RMTs (and their employers) must also make certain mandatory reports relating to abuse of clients, employment terminations due to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, offenses, negligence, malpractice and child abuse.
CMTO is responsible for ensuring that anyone wishing to become an RMT has met the educational requirements and standards of qualification to become registered and practise Massage Therapy in Ontario. CMTO handles initial registration and annual registration renewal.
CMTO must have a quality assurance program in place to help promote continuing competence and improvement among RMTs and address changes in practice environments. CMTO also develops standards of practice that outline certain requirements all RMTs must meet in practice.
CMTO must have in place a Client Relations Committee that oversees programs that encourage a commitment to continuously improving the professional relationship between RMTs and their clients. Central to this function is prevention of all forms of abuse. CMTO maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and has education programs in place focused on abuse prevention.
Through a transparent and accessible Discipline process, CMTO deals in a fair manner with any RMT who has not met the standards of practice or committed an act of professional misconduct.
The public can have confidence that only individuals registered with CMTO – regulated, trained health professionals – can use the protected title “RMT” or “MT” and hold themselves out to be a Registered Massage Therapist. To be sure that you are consulting with a regulated healthcare professional, use the “Find an RMT” feature on our website. For more information about other health regulatory colleges in Ontario, visit the Ontario Health Regulators website.
