NCBTMB Exam Format | NCBTMB Course Contents | NCBTMB Course Outline | NCBTMB Exam Syllabus | NCBTMB Exam Objectives

BOARD CERTIFICATION IN THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE & BODYWORK (BCTMB)

Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork represents the highest attainable credential within the massage therapy and bodywork profession. Board Certification is a separate credential above and beyond entry-level massage therapy licensure.



As Board Certification is voluntary, its achievement represents the highest level of commitment to clients and to the advancement of the massage therapy and bodywork profession. Board Certificants must meet higher standards of education and experience, as well as pass a rigorous exam that tests massage therapy and bodywork technique and application, critical thinking, communication, law, ethics, evaluation, documentation, and planning.



NCBTMB is the only certifying body for the massage therapy and bodywork profession. For that reason, NCBTMBs certification processes are founded upon a superior Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, which all Board Certificants must adhere to. Like our Certificants, the advancement of the profession and the improvement of client care is our focus.



Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB) is the highest attainable credential within the massage therapy and bodywork profession. It is a separate credential above and beyond entry-level, mandatory state licensure.

Board Certificants must meet stringent requirements, clear a recurring criminal background check, and pass the Board Certification Exam.

Board Certification is so much more than having an entry-level massage license. By achieving the profession's highest attainable credential, you represent advanced standards of education, experience, critical thinking, and assessment skills to provide clients and patients positive outcomes.



In the past, massage therapists have not made Board Certification a priority as it is voluntary—but that is changing rapidly in both clinical and staff positions. As massage therapy gains traction as a reimbursable, non-pharmaceutical method for pain relief, insurance companies and other approval entities will look for, or may even require, Board Certification to make this possible.



Course Outline | Syllabus | Objectives

I. Massage Modalities, Techniques, And Manual Forces (20%)

• Knowledge

• General massage protocols

• Compression

• Tension/decompression

• Friction/shearing

• Bending

• PNF, MFR, pin and stretch, etc.

• Torsion

• Range of motion

• Muscle Energy Techniques

• Stretching

• Hydrotherapy

• Indications and contraindications

• Vibration (jostling, shaking)

• Tapotement

• Client/patient positioning

• Special population (pregnancy massage, oncology massage, etc.)

• Appropriate tools and appropriate use

• Efficient body mechanics

• Benefits and effects of modalities (forms), and techniques

• Modality literacy Skills

• Determine applicable massage techniques when working with clients

• Apply massage techniques safely

• Perform massage on special populations

• (athletes, geriatric, prenatal, etc.)

• Identify contraindications and apply affective techniques

• Identify fundamental characteristics of bodywork modalities

• Perform proper body mechanics while working with different populations

• Position clients for comfort and safety

II. Applied Science: Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology/ Injury, and Pharmacology (25%)

Knowledge

• Anatomy (structure of the human body including joints, tissues, muscles, functions, origins, insertions, and actions, nerve
structure, etc.)

• Physiology – systems of the body with:

• i. in-depth knowledge in muscle, skeletal, and nervous systems

• ii. intermediate knowledge in integumentary, cardiovascular, lymphatic and digestive systems iii. basic knowledge in respiratory, endocrine, reproductive and urinary systems

• Kinesiology (mechanics of body movement including levers, agonists, antagonists, synergist, etc.)

• Pharmacology (contraindications of prescription and non-prescription medication, implications for massage, etc.)

• Standard precautions

• Endangerment sites

Skills

• Identify structures and functions of all body systems

• Identify muscle and joint physiology

• Recognize mechanics of body movement –

• agonists, antagonists and synergists

• Identify and apply range of motion techniques

– passive, active, active assisted and resistive range of motion

• Identify endangerment/cautionary sites

• Recognize muscle and orthopedic testing

• Identify indications and contraindications of common prescription drugs

• Determine proper stretching techniques and “end feels”

III. Professional Communication (15%)

Knowledge

• Medical terminology

• How to communicate with client/patient in understandable terms

• Reporting formats (appropriate language in medical history, treatment plan, SOAP notes, EMR etc.)

• HIPAA

• Communication with clients/patients (asking questions to clarify information)

• Client/patient sensitivity and vulnerabilities (how to make clients comfortable during treatment)

• Verbal and non-verbal cues

• Informed consent

Skills

• Effectively communicate with clients when explaining treatment plans

• Describe techniques, anatomy, physiology and kinesiology in understandable terms

• Identify HIPAA procedures

• Work within client comfort levels

• Adapt to verbal and non-verbal cues when working with clients

• Document sessions appropriate to the work setting – SOAP, EMR, spa etc.

• Uphold all HIPAA confidentiality standards

• Effectively communicate in proper medical terminology when working with other healthcare professionals

IV. Professionalism & Ethics (10%)

Knowledge

• Current standard of care for safe and effective massage

• Professional boundaries

• Draping laws and techniques

• When to refer clients to other health professionals

• When, why and how to refuse treatment

• How to report misconduct and who to report to

• Transference and countertransference

Skills

• Maintain proper physical and emotional boundaries

• Respect clients right to say no

• Identify when to refer out and whom to refer clients with pathologies

• Identify transference and countertransference situations

• Identify when to refuse to treat clients

• Identify correct entities to report client or fellow massage therapists misconduct

V. Laws & Business Practices (5%)

Knowledge

• Appropriate draping

• Continuing education requirements

• Scope of practice and applicable licensing laws

• Record keeping (business and client/patient)

Skills

• Maintain client confidentiality

• Perform only within the massage therapy scope of practice

• Maintain appropriate draping for client protection and privacy

• Represent educational and professional

• qualifications honestly

• Demonstrate proper business and client record keeping

• Abide by national organizations code of conduct and policies

• Comply with all federal state and local laws

VI. Assessment (25%)

Knowledge

• Comprehensive intake

• Interview and data collection techniques

• Observation techniques (posture deviation, etc.)

• Range of motion (normal and abnormal body motions)

• Treatment session planning techniques in collaboration with client/patient and other healthcare professionals when necessary

• Indications and contraindications

• Functional assessments and reassessments

• Customized treatments

• Pain scale and pain management

• Medical terminology (SOAP charting, etc.)

• Clinical reasoning (analyzing information from client/patient)

• Research associated with massage therapy

Skills

• Conduct an effective and thorough intake interview to gather information

• Interpret client health history information

• Customize treatment plans to fit the needs of • each client

• Discuss treatment plan and alternate plans if requested by the client

• Determine common pain scale descriptions

• Utilize palpatory skills to assess soft tissue

• Perform and interpret active and passive range of motion assessments

• Perform and interpret postural analysis

• Perform and interpret gait assessment

• Perform and interpret manual resistance tests

• Perform and interpret special orthopedic tests

• Reassess client movement, strength and range of motion post – treatment

• Document all findings properly pre and post treatment and change treatment plans accordingly

• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals as needed

• Communicate using appropriate medical terminology when speaking with other medical professionals and in official documentation

• Work effectively as part of an integrated healthcare team

• Recognize and analyze research

• Identify different areas of research