Massage Therapy: Internet Resources

Founded in 1992, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is a private nonprofit organization. The mission statement of the NCBTMB is to “define and advance the highest standards” in bodywork and massage. In the pursuit of this mission, the NCBTMB offers an NCBTMB Board Certification credential, along with maintaining a list of Assigned Schools and Approved Providers.

The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) is an autonomous, not-for-profit organization comprised of state regulatory boards and agencies that regulate the massage therapy profession. The FSMTB was established in 2005 and operates under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All revenue collected by the organization is used to enhance FSMTB programs, maintain and improve the quality of the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and provide support to FSMTB Member Boards in fulfilling their responsibility of protecting the public.

MTA is the largest nonprofit, professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and massage schools.

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) is a national membership association that goes above and beyond great liability insurance to make it easier for massage and bodywork practitioners and students to succeed. Founded in 1987, ABMP has distinguished itself in the massage community for two main reasons:

The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education serves as an independent voice, advocate, and resource for the massage therapy and bodywork education community.

The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) accredits both educational institutions and programs offering instruction in massage therapy and bodywork or esthetics and skin care. We were formed with the mission of establishing and maintaining the quality and integrity of our professions. With COMTA accreditation, you can be sure that the standards you’re meeting reflect the national needs of the profession. Since 2002, COMTA has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a specialized accrediting agency.

NANMT was founded in 1992 by Andy Roman a registered nurse, massage therapist and psychotherapist. Andy saw a need for a body of Registered Nurses with a focus and value in Massage Therapy.

The American Medical Massage Association was specifically created to represent the image, growth and protection of medical massage therapists. The AMMA seeks to promote Medical Massage Therapy as an allied health care profession, while encouraging unity within the massage profession. This goal is achieved through professional standards, education, and testing.

The Massage Therapy Foundation is a 501(c)3 providing support to the massage therapy profession. Since 1990, MTF has provided over $1 million in research grants studying the science behind therapeutic massage. The Foundation founded and publishes an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal and provides many educational resources for massage therapists, educators, and students. MTF provides community service grants to populations in need of therapeutic massage who would otherwise lack access.

Our mission is to develop and maintain communication between professional massage therapists, students, educators, and researchers.