Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Application for Certification/Registration in Massage Therapy
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21
PHONE: , FAX:
WEBSITE: mdmassage.org
*****IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS*****
Please CAREFULLY read the application instructions. Type or legibly print all responses.
1. A completed application includes ALL applicable fees, photos and documentation including National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage Bodywork (NCBTMB) or National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
(NCCAOM) examination results.
2. Transcripts are accepted from massage therapy schools that are accredited by either the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) or approved or accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States
Department of Education (USDE). (Visit our website to see the list of approved schools and recognized accrediting agencies.)
3. Effective January 1, 2003, ALL applicants seeking certification/registration are required to take and pass the jurisprudence examination administered by the Board at 4201 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD.
4. All applicants must pass the NCBTMB or NCCAOM examination and submit application before registering for the jurisprudence examination.
5. Applicants will be advised in writing to submit the certificate/registration fee after all the requirements for certification/registration are met.
6. The certification/registration cycle is for two years. The current cycle covers the period October 31, 2006 to October 31, 2008.
7. All applicants seeking CERTIFICATION must:
a) provide proof of completion of sixty (60) credit hours of college course work, and 500 hours of massage therapy education at an approved/accredited school;
b) provide proof of passing the NCBTMB or NCCAOM examination and
c) pass the Maryland state massage therapy jurisprudence examination.
Registered Massage Practitioners may practice in a business setting such as private businesses, health clubs and spas. Registered Massage Practitioners may not practice in any health care setting (e.g. hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, doctors’ offices).
8. All applicants seeking registration must:
a) provide proof of 500 hours of massage therapy education at an approved/accredited school;
b) provide proof of passing the NCBTMB or NCCAOM examination; and
c) pass the Maryland massage therapy jurisprudence examination.
9. Effective January 2004, Registered Massage Practitioners can request a status change to Certified Massage Therapist. Submit an official transcript to verify sixty (60) credit hours of college course work. The fee to issue a new certificate reflecting the certified college credits status is $40.00.
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APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED IF NOT COMPLETED WITHIN 12 MONTHS FROM DATE RECEIVED.
Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Application for Certification/Registration in Massage Therapy
4201 Patterson Avenue Baltimore, MD 21
PHONE: , FAX: WEBSITE: mdmassage.org
****IMPORTANT NOTICE TO APPLICANTS WHO ATTENDED FOREIGN SCHOOLS****
Transcripts will ONLY be approved from massage schools that are accredited by either the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) or approved or accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). Refer to the Web site for a list of USDE accrediting agencies. Additionally, schools located outside of the United States must undergo a strict comprehensive review and scrutiny through a professional, private contract commission International Commission on Healthcare Professionals [ICHP], 3600 Market St., Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651, Phone: (International Consultants of Delaware) to determine the eligibility and competency of such school(s). In many instances, fraudulent information has been detected in applications, particularly from transcripts purportedly derived from foreign schools and institutions. Accordingly, the following procedures apply to any foreign school:
A formal, comprehensive review must be done to protect the certification program and the consumer public. There is a non-refundable, additional fee for this comprehensive investigation/review which must be paid by the applicant to the contract commission, ICHP. The applicant must provide all documentation to ICHP and pay all fees (which could amount to $300.00 - $500.00). The Board does not interface with the contractor. All dealings with ICHP must be undertaken by the individual applicant.
■ No further action will be taken on the application until the Board receives a full report from ICHP. Applicants are advised that such reviews take several weeks to several months to complete.
■ Applicants are advised that the Board will NOT process the application further until a full favorable report is submitted by ICHP. The Board retains the discretion to approve or reject
any application upon review of the report and documentation.
■ All foreign transcripts, letters and documents must be presented to the contract investigating company in original form and must also have an original English translation from an accredited
member of the American Translators Association. No other translations are acceptable. The applicant bears all costs of any translations or certifications.
■ Applicants who attended foreign schools are advised that very few foreign schools or institutions have qualified as meeting Maryland’s standards. Accordingly, APPLICANTS ARE
PUT ON NOTICE THAT THEY SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER AND WEIGH THE COSTS OF THIS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND FEES WITH THE PROBABLE CHANCES
OF NON-ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOREIGN SCHOOL.
■ Affected applicants are advised that acceptance of an application and non-refundable fees does NOT in any manner insure, promise or guarantee that the application will be
approved and certification or registration will be granted.
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A LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF APPLICATION WILL BE MAILED WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS.
To: Applicant with Foreign School Transcripts
From: Gwendolyn Wheatley, Deputy Director
Massage Therapy Certification Program Manager
Re: REVIEW OF FOREIGN SCHOOL QUALIFICATIONS
You have submitted an application for certification or registration as a massage therapist. Transcripts will be accepted only from schools that are accredited. These schools must be accredited by either the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) or approved or accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE).
The Board has no way of ascertaining whether the school or institution in issue exists or whether its curriculum, course hours, instructors and certification processes meet current requirements. In order to protect the integrity of the profession and the certification/registration program, foreign transcripts and schools must be independently reviewed by a professional, accrediting service commission International Commission on Healthcare Professionals (ICHP). ICHP will review the data, transcripts and school background and will provide a formal report.
Applicants are solely responsible to make all arrangements with ICHP, including payment of any applicable fees. Applicants may contact ICHP Headquarters at:
International Commission on Healthcare Professionals (ICHP)
3600 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651
or
International Consultants of Delaware
(302) 737-8715
You must deal directly with ICHP. Upon completion of its review, ICHP will forward its report to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The Board will independently evaluate ICHP’s report and all attendant documentation and evidence. You are advised that, notwithstanding any report by ICHP, the Board of Examiners will make its final determination, including possible denial of an application, independently, based on a full review and vote of the Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Application for Certification/Registration in Massage Therapy
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. APPLICATION WITH PHOTO
An application form is required of all applicants. Please print or type and answer all questions. If you leave questions blank, the application may be returned to you. If additional space is required, use the reverse side of the application or attach a separate 8½" x11" sheet of paper and be sure to put your name and item number on the paper.
TWO recent 2" x 2" head & shoulders photo must also be submitted, one must be attached at the designated area of the application. The application form must be notarized.
2. FEES
Application (NON-REFUNDABLE FEE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Jurisprudence Examination (DUE 10 BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE EXAM). . . . . . . . . . $ 50.00
Certification/Registration (DUE WHEN APPLICATION IS APPROVED) . . ... . . . . . . . . $200.00
Foreign School Review Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (To be paid by applicant to Contractor, if applicable)
All fees must be by certified check or money order. No cash or personal or business checks are accepted. Certified checks and money orders should be made payable
to “Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners.”
Note: All applicants must pass the NCBTMB or NCCAOM examination before registering for the jurisprudence examination. At the time you are notified that your application has
been completed and approved, you will be advised in writing to submit the certificate/registration fee within 30 days.
APPLICATIONS NOT COMPLETED WITHIN 12 MONTHS FROM FILE DATE WILL BE CLOSED.
3. EDUCATION
U.S.A. TRANSCRIPTS
Applicants must personally arrange with their school to have certified copies of OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS submitted directly to the Board from schools. The transcript(s) must document a minimum of 500-hours in a massage therapy education program as defined in the Massage Therapy Regulations.
FOREIGN TRANSCRIPTS
Students who attended foreign schools are advised that it is solely their responsibility to insure that all transcripts are in a format acceptable to the Board. Transcripts from foreign schools must be independently reviewed and investigated (see IMPORTANT NOTICES) at the expense of the applicant. Such transcripts must also have an original English translation from an accredited member of the American Translators Association. No other translation certification is acceptable. Only original transcripts and translations are acceptable - NO COPIES OR CERTIFIED COPIES.