Registered Massage Therapists – Resources

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Quality Assurance

Registered massage therapists (RMTs) are trusted by the public to provide safe, effective, and ethical health care at all times throughout their career.

When an RMT first becomes registered they meet entry-to-practice competencies, which are then maintained and enhanced as an RMT progresses in their career. This makes RMTs lifelong learners who are individually responsible and accountable for their ongoing professional development.

By participating in CCHPBC’s Quality Assurance program, RMTs demonstrate that they are maintaining continuing competence as required by BC’s Health Professions Act.

Quality Assurance program

CCHPBC Online Courses

CCHPBC’s online courses provide instruction on practice standards, legislation, the Code of Ethics, and other requirements specific to RMT practice, and support RMTs’ ability to make decisions that align with these requirements. The College’s online courses interpret professional requirements in the context of familiar practice scenarios and examples.

Practice Development

RMTs meet and demonstrate entry-to-practice competencies when they first become registered with CCHPBC, and they continue to maintain and enhance those practice competencies as they progress in their careers. RMTs are individually responsible and accountable for their ongoing practice development and maintenance of practice competence over time.

Practice competence refers to the combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, and clinical judgements necessary to practice massage therapy, within the scope of practice for RMTs. Practice competence is based on the core professional and practice competencies of the profession. The application of these core professional and practice competencies is transferable across diverse practice environments and patient populations.

As an RMT matures in their practice, they will not only maintain professional and practice competencies at a base level, but will continue to develop and improve their professional and practice competencies over the course of their career.

Practice Development Program requirements

Practice Development Portal

Practice Development Program Information Session (March 2024)

Quality Assurance Requirements Information Session (September 2024)

Quality Assurance Requirements Information Session (October 2024)

For more information

Questions? Please see the Quality Assurance Frequently Asked Questions or email QAPrograms@cchpbc.ca. with the subject line “Practice Development Program Requirements”.

Practice Hours

As part of its redesigned Quality Assurance program, CCHPBC is introducing a practice hours requirement.

Practice hours are one indicator of an RMT’s continued competence. Working a minimum level of practice hours, within a specified time period, demonstrates that an RMT has current practice knowledge. This in turn helps to build public trust in the RMT’s ability to provide safe, competent, and ethical treatment to patients.

Practice Hour Requirements

For more information

Questions? Please see the Quality Assurance Frequently Asked Questions or email QAPrograms@cchpbc.ca with the subject line “Practice Hours”.

Quality Assurance Frequently Asked Questions

CCHPBC is committed to ensuring that all RMTs are aware of and understand the requirements of the Quality Assurance program. This FAQ will be updated on a regular basis.

RMTs can contact QAPrograms@cchpbc.ca with questions about the FAQs, or with other questions related to the Quality Assurance program.

Profession Practice Standards

Practice standards define the minimum level of expected performance for registered massage therapists, and therefore define what constitutes safe, ethical, and competent delivery of care by RMTs.

Standards of Practice and the standard for patient records are set out in the College’s Bylaws. In addition, CCHPBC has developed individual standards of practice.

RMTs who have questions about the standards of practice can contact PracticeSupport@cchpbc.ca.

Boundaries Standard of Practice

The Boundaries Standard of Practice clearly defines expectations for RMTs in the area of boundaries, including:

  • A definition of professional boundaries that are appropriate to the therapeutic relationship;
  • Twenty-four detailed requirements for RMTs to follow in maintaining appropriate boundaries with patients;
  • An appendix with definitions of terms used in the boundaries standard of practice.

Boundaries Standard of Practice

Consent Standard of Practice

The Consent Standard of Practice clearly defines expectations for RMTs in terms of how to obtain consent from patients for delivery of massage therapy. It includes:

  • A definition of consent;
  • Fourteen detailed requirements for RMTs to follow when obtaining consent from patients;
  • An appendix with definitions of terms used in the consent standard;
  • An “Application to Practice” section that outlines requirements for determining a patient’s capacity to give consent, obtaining consent from minors, communicating during the consent process, and documenting consent.

Consent Standard of Practice

Evidence-Based Practice Standard of Practice

The Evidence-Based Practice Standard of Practice sets clear expectations for how RMTs incorporate an evidence-based practice approach into their practice.

The standard includes:

  • A definition of evidence-based practice;
  • Four minimum requirements for RMTs to follow when incorporating an evidence-based approach in their practice;
  • An appendix with definitions of terms used in the Evidence-Based Practice standard.

Read the Evidence-Based Standard of Practice(PDF)

Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-Racism Standard of Practice

The Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-Racism Standard of Practice sets clear expectations for how RMTs are to provide culturally safe and anti-racist care for Indigenous patients.

The standard includes:

  • Definitions;
  • Six requirements for RMTs to follow to provide culturally safe and anti-racist care for Indigenous patients.

Read the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-Racism Standard of Practice(PDF).

Practice Environment Standard of Practice

The Practice Environment Standard defines minimum requirements for maintaining the physical environment where RMTs deliver treatment and provide care to patients, and for maintaining the objects and equipment within that environment. It includes:

  • A definition of practice environment;
  • Thirteen minimum requirements for RMTs to follow in maintaining their practice environment;
  • An appendix with definitions of terms used in the Practice Environment Standard;
  • An “Application to Practice” section that provides resources that RMTs should review.

Read the Practice Environment Standard of Practice(PDF).

Scope of Practice Standard of Practice

The Scope of Practice Standard of Practice sets clear expectations for RMTs on the activities that they are educated and authorized to perform, as established through the legislated definition of “massage therapy” in section 1 of the Massage Therapists Regulation and Notices to the Profession issued by CCHPBC in relation to scope of practice.

The standard includes:

  • A definition of scope of practice;
  • Eight minimum requirements for RMTs to follow in working within their scope of practice;
  • An appendix with definitions of terms used in the Scope of Practice standard;
  • An “Application to Practice” section that provides resources that RMTs should review.

Read the Scope of Practice Standard of Practice(PDF).

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics outlines the expectations for ethical massage therapy practice.

When faced with an ethical dilemma, massage therapists are responsible for exercising their professional judgment in accordance with their duties under this code.

Read the Code of Ethics(PDF).

Notices to the Profession

The College has advised RMTs of profession-specific information in the following Notices to the Profession:

Boundaries

RMTs are required to set and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with each patient. A “boundary” separates professional and therapeutic behavior from non-professional and non-therapeutic behavior.

The College’s Boundaries Standard of Practice took effect July 1, 2018. This stand-alone standard of practice complements the College’s Code of Ethics. While the Code of Ethics provides a high-level definition of ethical practice, the standard of practice further defines and sets requirements relating to professional boundaries, against which the College, the public and RMTs are able to assess massage therapy practice. The practice standard also provides RMTs with a clear foundation for reflection on practice.

The Boundaries Standard of Practice clearly defines expectations for RMTs in the area of boundaries and includes:

  • A definition of professional boundaries that are appropriate to the therapeutic relationship;
  • Twenty-four detailed requirements for RMTs to follow in maintaining appropriate boundaries with patients;
  • An appendix with definitions of terms used in the Boundaries Standard of Practice.

The Boundaries Standard of Practice empowers RMTs to exercise their professional judgement and discretion when faced with difficult or unclear circumstances in practice.

Read the Boundaries Standard of Practice.

Consent

RMTs are required to obtain informed consent to treatment. Informed consent supports patient safety, clinical decision-making, and predictable and desired outcomes. Obtaining consent is both a professional obligation, as well as a legal obligation under two BC statutes: the Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act and the Infants Act.

The Consent Standard of Practice took effect on January 15, 2019. The College’s Bylaws require RMTs to comply with the standard of practice on consent. The consent standard complements the Code of Ethics and provincial legislation, and defines practice expectations for RMTs in terms of how to obtain consent for delivery of massage therapy.

Below, RMTs will find resources to help them understand and apply the Consent Standard of Practice:

Evidence-Based Practice

On January 15, 2024, the new Evidence-Based Practice Standard of Practice went into effect. The standard’s purpose is to set clear expectations for how RMTs incorporate an evidence-based practice approach into their practice. Regardless of whether you are a new RMT or 20+ years into your practice, this new standard has raised questions for RMTs, including:

  • What does evidence-based mean?
  • Where do I find research evidence?
  • How do I know if research is quality research?
  • How do I apply research to my practice?

Information below will help RMTs answer these questions, provide tools to navigate the sea of research available online, and help RMTs identify quality research. Lastly, information is provided on how the Evidence-Based Practice standard aligns with the Practice Development Program.

To learn more about what Evidence Based Practice, review the following resource – What is research evidence?

Practice Environment

The following are FAQs for the CCHPBC Practice Environment Standard of Practice.

In addition to reading these FAQs, read the Practice Environment Standard of Practice.

RMTs who have questions about the Practice Environment Standard of Practice can contact PracticeSupport@cchpbc.ca.

Scope of Practice

CMTBC-Scope of Practice

Communicable Disease Prevention Requirements

RMTs are expected to take reasonable steps to manage health and safety for everyone in their practice environment; this includes taking steps to prevent the transmission of all communicable diseases, including COVID-19.

RMTs who have questions about the Communicable Disease Prevention Requirements can contact PracticeSupport@cchpbc.ca.

Record Keeping

CMTBC Record Keeping

Advertising & Use of Title

CMTBC Advertising & Use of Title

Terminating a Therapeutic Relationship

A frequently asked question by RMTs is about when an RMT can or should terminate a therapeutic relationship.

The Code of Ethics outlines the following circumstances for terminating a therapeutic relationship:

  • Therapy is no longer indicated.
  • The patient no longer wishes to receive treatment.
  • Another health care professional has assumed primary care responsibility.
  • The RMT provides written notice of termination to the patient.

To learn more about Terminating Therapeutic Relationships

Fraudulent Use of RMT Numbers

CMTBC Fraudulent Use of RMT Numbers

Standard First Aid & CPR-C

RMTs maintain current certification in Standard First Aid (SFA) and CPR-C in accordance with CCHPBC’s Bylaws, Schedule 13: Massage Therapy: Quality Assurance, Section 4.0.

The five national certifying organizations named in the Bylaws are:

  • Canadian Red Cross
  • Canadian Ski Patrol
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation
  • Lifesaving Society
  • St. John Ambulance

These organizations offer training nationally in certificate programs that are substantially equivalent and meet published standards in first aid and CPR.

Note: CPR-C includes training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults, children, and infants, and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Current certification in SFA and CPR-C from one of the five national organizations named in CCHPBC’s Bylaws ensures RMTs receive effective first aid and resuscitation training that is based on current best practices.

When proof of current certification in SFA and CPR-C is required

RMTs are required to submit proof of current certification in SFA and CPR-C when:

If an RMT’s certification has expired and they have not yet uploaded proof of current certification in SFA and CPR-C, they will be prompted to do so as part of the renewal process.

Follow instructions in the Portal for uploading a certificate of completion from a national certifying organization.

Certificate for SFA and CPR-C must be from one of five national certifying organizations

While many independent service providers offer training in Standard First Aid (SFA) and CPR-C, the certificate received upon successful completion must comply with CCHPBC Bylaws. RMTs are advised to confirm prior to enrollment that successful completion will result in a certificate from one of five national certifying organizations listed in the Bylaws and on this page: Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Ski Patrol, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Lifesaving Society, or St. John Ambulance. A certificate that does not bear the name of one of these organizations does not meet CCHPBC requirements.

Equivalency policy for EMR and EMA licenses

RMTs who hold a current Emergency Medical Assistant First Responder (EMA FR) license or Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) license issued by the EMA Licensing Board can submit their license certificate to CCHPBC to meet the SFA and CPR-C requirement. These RMTs will not be required to submit proof of equivalency to the College. CCHPBC acknowledges that these license certifications are substantially equivalent or higher than the SFA and CPR-C requirement listed in the Bylaws.

RMTs are asked to send their EMA FR or EMR license certificates to CCHPBC via email at registration@cchpbc.ca. CCHPBC staff will manually upload the certificate to the Registrant Portal.

Other levels of first aid

RMTs who are required to hold other levels of first aid to meet requirements in their preferred areas of practice may submit alternate certification on the following conditions:

  • The certificate is current,
  • It is issued by one of the five national organizations named in the bylaw: Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Ski Patrol, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Lifesaving Society, and St. John Ambulance, and
  • The issuing organization has provided the RMT with a letter to verify that the level of first aid held by the RMT includes all content in the SFA/CPR-C curriculum.

Canadian Consensus Guidelines on First Aid and CPR

In 2015, the five national organizations established the Canadian Guidelines Consensus Task Force to review the consensus on science completed by international bodies that study first aid and resuscitation training. In 2016, the Task Force published Canadian Consensus Guidelines on First Aid and CPR (PDF), which describes updated protocols for first aid and resuscitation.

The Canadian Consensus Guidelines reflect current research, collaborative discussion, and updates to previous first aid and CPR standards. Please see the guidelines to learn more about the rationale for updates and changes to first aid and CPR practices.