American Massage Therapy Association^®

AMTA Discusses Education Standards with Invited Guests

New Board, National Committee Chairs Complete Orientation

Evanston, IL – The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) held a half-day discussion March 12 on the importance of having a recognized set of baseline education standards for the massage therapy profession.  Included in the discussion were representatives from 15 AMTA Chapters and 11 invited guests who have a history of involvement in the major developments of the profession and knowledge of the key components of massage therapy education, accreditation and regulation.  [See attached list of invited guests]

“The more we discussed the question,” said AMTA President Mary Beth Braun, “the more it was clear why AMTA needed to host this discussion.  We heard many points of view and had a very frank discussion of the issues involved in both education standards and in determining a scope of practice for the profession.”

In preparation for the meeting AMTA compiled background information on the body of knowledge needed to practice, the nature of both accreditation and education standards, and how standards are viewed in other professions.  The decision to hold this first meeting derived from legislative conversations with the National Certification Board, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA), Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), and discussions with other USDE-recognized accrediting agencies of massage institutions and programs.  Several agencies had advised that, while COMTA has established its own accrediting standards, the profession doesn’t appear to have a set of agreed-upon education standards that can be used as a baseline for education of entry level or advanced beginner massage therapists.

This meeting was a first step in a process that AMTA expects will broaden the participants involved in establishing the massage therapy profession’s baseline education standards.  The attendees decided that there is no thorough, comprehensive scope of practice for the field and that the Body of Knowledge needed to practice is not consistent or articulated.  Based on a consensus of the group, AMTA’s Board of Directors agreed that AMTA will serve as the catalyst for a larger industry meeting designed to develop a plan for the creation of a massage therapy Body of Knowledge, to include core terminology, scope of practice and baseline competencies.  AMTA also agreed to provide resources needed to support this initiative.

AMTA will invite representatives from NCBTMB, COMTA and the Massage Therapy Foundation to join its representative in organizing a project team to plan future discussion on the issues.  The team also will develop a broad list of other stakeholders to invite to further discussion.

Governance Highlights March AMTA Board Meeting

AMTA’s March Board of Directors meeting was preceded by a day of orientation for board members and a day of national leadership training.  The orientation was designed to help Board members review their responsibilities and volunteers understand AMTA processes and how they can be most effective in their roles as national volunteers. 

Also preceding the meeting was an open house at AMTA’s National Office for national leaders, visiting chapter leaders and industry representatives.  The visit gave many their first glimpse at AMTA’s new office (as of September 2004) and provided opportunities for them to meet with staff, who assist volunteers in their work for the association.

At its meeting on Saturday and Sunday, the Board accepted recommendations from the Planning Committee to more clearly define aspects of AMTA’s volunteer workforce structure that should make the association more nimble and better able to wisely use its resources, especially human resources.  The Board also revised its investment strategies to include a mix of long term, medium term and short term investments.  Long term investments are for association needs projected for 6 to 10 years in the future.  At the same time, the Board re-evaluated its long-time policy of how much money to keep in reserve and reduced the requirement from 75% of operating expenses to 65%.  The figure of 75% had been developed when the association was small, yet rapidly growing.  At that time, it was determined that good business practice indicted the larger reserve might be necessary to protect AMTA from unforeseen financial difficulties.  Based on outside, volunteer and staff recommendations, the Board feels the 65% reserve is sufficient and that it will allow the association to use the released funds to invest in delivering more value to AMTA members.

AMTA’s Board of Directors will have its next face-to-face meeting in June 2005, immediately following their retreat.  Each year the Board holds a retreat to review the association’s year end performance, the strategic plan, the organization’s support and role in the direction of the profession and how to provide more value to members.  These discussions guide the Board’s future decisions.

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AMTA Mega Issue Discussion

How important is it for the profession to have a recognized set of baseline national education standards?  If it is important to have such standards, what should be AMTA’s role in their development?

March 12, 2005 – Invited Guests:

Barbara Bollmann, Boulder College of Massage Therapy
Nancy Dail, Downeast School of Massage
Mary Ann DiRoberts, Muscular Therapy Institute
Bob King, Chicago School of Massage Therapy
Steve Kitts, Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy
Ruth Marion, Health Works Institute
Michael Martin, Georgia Career Institute
Carole Ostendorf, Lakeside School of Massage Therapy
Dawn Schmidt, COMTA Commissioner
Bob Lehnberg, NCBTMB
Elizabeth McIntyre, NCBTMB

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