How to Become a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario

If one desires to become a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario, Canada, one must complete twenty hundred hours of coursework in an educational setting. However, unlike the United States, Canadian provinces allow massage therapists to work across various provinces as long as one completes a secondary online training course in relation to such provincial requirements. Therefore, one may want to attend schooling in the area in which one lives and works, followed by additional training in other provinces as required.

As such, a new organization which identifies as the National Massage Therapy Alliance has replaced the old Canadian Massage Therapist Alliance. An alliance which requires that each therapist complete training through an affiliated training program in the province in which one intends to do such business. In addition, each therapist must be a successful graduate from a curriculum which is recognized by the province in which one has attended school.

As most individuals who have ever had a massage know, there are many different styles of massage. In Canada, the Massage Therapy Association of Canada requires that individuals complete training through one of a number of programs in various styles of massage. As all coursework in Canada is specialized, one must complete with regards to each style of massage to provide services in that specialization. After which, once licensed one can provide services in each area in which one is registered by the Massage Therapy Association.

Such coursework can be obtained through one of a variety of programs offering training in body work, reiki, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, shiatsu and therapeutic touch. So, one may want to research which style of body work one is most interested in providing. Although, as there are many areas of specialized massage therapy, once registered most individuals continue training in other areas in order to provide a combination of services at some point in their career.

For, although massage therapy can be an excellent field, one must complete many hours of coursework to become a registered massage therapist. For example, in Ontario, the requirement is twenty two hundred hours of coursework, followed by continuing education before one can become registered. This is to help prevent individuals from working without a license and running the risk of a lawsuit against the organization with which one is registered.

Effective April 1, 2009, the Canadian First Ministers have now agreed that regulated professions must be able to work in all provinces. So, if one is a massage therapist in one area, those in good standing can now establish oneself in Ontario, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador. However, one must be registered in at least on Canadian province in order to do so. Therefore, one may become registered in each province upon completion of an online standards and regulations course developed and presented by the College Of Massage Therapists of Ontario.

So, if one is desiring to become registered in Ontario and is already registered in another province one can find the application for such training on the college website. In addition, once one is registered, one must also continue to complete coursework throughout their career and have no grievances with clients in order to stay in good standing.

With regards to costs, massage school, while not as expensive as in the United States, is not cheap. This is because massage therapy is self-regulated. In addition, it is a self-supporting career in which one generally finds their own clients with which to work in such fashion. However, the government only allows funding for fees of public council members. Therefore, the college attempts to keep fees for attending such programs as low as possible in comparison to other schools.

In addition, one may want to attend a school which operates on a non-profit basis as fees range from $500 to $700. Whereas, in the neighboring United States, one can spend a great deal more money on such training. Therefore, it is a great profession for individuals living in Canada.

To this end, if one desires to become a registered massage therapist in Canada, there are many options for doing so with regards to training. However, although one can work across provinces, one may want to specialize in s specific area of training then add on to such training at a later date. For, in doing so, one can earn the money through a massage practice in one style of massage in order to pay for training in order to build skills in other styles over time. Regardless, no matter which style of massage one decides to provide, one is providing a service which allow individuals to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle by offering a service which heals and relaxes body, mind and soul.