Membership Requirements

The association has the following mandatory requirements for our members to maintain a membership in good standing.

Mandatory Items:

Full Massage Therapist, Spa Therapist, or Registered Massage Therapist Members:

All Full Massage Therapist, Spa Therapist, or Registered Massage Therapist members of the CMMOTA are required to:

attend at least 1 Annual General Meeting per 3-year Continuing Education Credit (“CEC”) Cycle, or pay the fee specified in the current Fee Schedule
maintain valid Standard First Aid and Level C CPR. Online courses are not acceptable
complete the required Continuing Education Credits during each 3-year cycle; see submission cycle below (applies to Full Massage Therapist and Spa Therapist only)
maintain a current Vulnerable Sector Check. Online checks are not acceptable unless completed through a recognized police service
comply with the CMMOTA Policies and Procedures, CMMOTA Standard of Practice for Massage Therapists, CMMOTA Scope of Practice for Massage Therapists, and CMMOTA Code of Ethics (applies to Full Massage Therapists and Spa Therapists only)
comply with the CMMOTA Policies and Procedures (applies to Registered Massage Therapists only)
maintain insurance coverage through the Association’s broker
maintain a current Annual Declaration form
practice only within an unregulated Province or Territory of Canada (applies to Full Massage Therapist only)
shall not hold membership in any other Massage Therapist Association, as defined above
shall not hold membership in a provincially legislated College of Massage Therapy within the jurisdiction in which they practice (applies to Spa Therapists only)
practice within a regulated Province or Territory of Canada (applies to Registered Massage Therapists and Spa Therapists only)
if required, provide, and maintain a current work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada permitting the member to practice Massage Therapy
provide proof upon renewal of active membership in good standing with the provincially legislated College of Massage Therapy within the jurisdiction in which they practice (applies to Registered Massage Therapists only)
- Nova Scotia Members are required to submit an updated Vulnerable Sector Check annually

Full Manual Osteopathic Therapist Members:

All Full MOT members of the CMMOTA are required to:

attend at least one Annual General Meeting per 3-year Continuing Education Credit (“CEC”) cycle, or pay the fee specified in our current Fee Schedule
maintain valid Standard First Aid and Level C CPR. Online courses are not acceptable
complete the required Continuing Education Credits during each 3-year CEC cycle; see submission cycle below
maintain a current Vulnerable Sector Check. Online checks are not acceptable unless completed through a recognized police service
comply with the CMMOTA Policies and Procedures, CMMOTA Standard of Practice for Manual Osteopathic Therapists, CMMOTA Scope of Practice for Manual Osteopathic Therapists, and CMMOTA Code of Ethics
maintain insurance coverage through the Association’s broker
maintain a current Annual Declaration Form
shall not hold membership in any other Manual Osteopathic Therapist Association, as defined above
if required, provide, and maintain a current work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada permitting the member to practice Manual Osteopathic Therapy
- Nova Scotia Members are required to submit an updated Vulnerable Sector Check annually

Associate Massage Therapist Members:

All Associate members of the CMMOTA are required to:

comply with the CMMOTA Policies and Procedures, CMMOTA Standard of Practice for Massage Therapists, CMMOTA Scope of Practice for Massage Therapists, and CMMOTA Code of Ethics
maintain a current Vulnerable Sector Check. Online checks are not acceptable unless completed through a recognized police service
upgrade the membership to Full Massage Therapist status within 18 months from the activation of their Associate Massage Therapist membership, or 60 days following the completion of the 2200-hour minimum post-secondary requirement
maintain insurance coverage through the Association’s broker
maintain a current Annual Declaration Form
practice only within an unregulated Province or Territory of Canada
shall not hold membership in any other Massage Therapist Association, as defined above
if required, provide, and maintain a current work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada permitting the member to practice Massage Therapy
- Nova Scotia Members are required to submit an updated Vulnerable Sector Check annually

Student Massage Therapist Members (MT/ MOT):

All Student members of the CMMOTA are required to:

comply with the CMMOTA Policies and Procedures, CMMOTA Standard of Practice for Massage Therapists, CMMOTA Scope of Practice for Massage Therapists, and CMMOTA Code of Ethics (applies to Massage Therapists only)
comply with the CMMOTA Policies and Procedures, CMMOTA Standard of Practice for Manual Osteopathic Therapists, CMMOTA Scope of Practice for Manual Osteopathic Therapists, and CMMOTA Code of Ethics (applies to Manual Osteopathic Therapists only)
maintain a current Vulnerable Sector Check. Online checks are not acceptable unless completed through a recognized police service
maintain insurance coverage through the post-secondary institution or the Association’s broker
maintain a current Annual Declaration Form
if required, provide, and maintain a valid Work Permit permitting the practice of Massage Therapy, or a valid study permit and a valid visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or an electronic travel authorization (applies to Massage Therapists only)
if required, provide, and maintain a valid Work Permit permitting the practice of Manual Osteopathic Therapy, or a valid study permit and a valid visitor visa (temporary resident visa) or an electronic travel authorization (applies to Manual Osteopathic Therapists only)
- Nova Scotia Members are required to submit an updated Vulnerable Sector Check annually

Inactive Members (MT/ MOT/ RMT/ ST):

All Inactive members of the CMMOTA are required to:

maintain a current Vulnerable Sector Check. Online checks are not acceptable unless completed through a recognized police service
maintain a current Annual Declaration Form
reside only within an unregulated Province or Territory of Canada (applies to Inactive Massage Therapists only)
reside only within a regulated Province or Territory of Canada (applies to Inactive Registered Massage Therapists and Inactive Spa Therapists only)
shall not hold membership in any other Massage Therapist Association, as defined above (applies to Inactive Massage Therapists, Inactive Registered Massage Therapists and Inactive Spa Therapists only)
shall not hold membership in any other Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association, as defined above (applies to Inactive Manual Osteopathic Therapists only)
if required, provide, and maintain a current work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada permitting the member to practice Massage Therapy (applies to Inactive Massage Therapists, Inactive Registered Massage Therapists and Inactive Spa Therapists only)
if required, provide, and maintain a current work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada permitting the member to practice Manual Osteopathic Therapy (applies to Inactive Manual Osteopathic Therapists only)
provide proof upon renewal of Inactive membership in good standing with the provincially legislated College of Massage Therapy within the jurisdiction in which they practice (applies to Inactive Registered Massage Therapists only)
- Nova Scotia Members are required to submit an updated Vulnerable Sector Check annually

Failure to meet each requirement that applies to your current type and/or profession, will result in automatic suspension followed by possible cancellation or membership for continued non-compliance.

Submission Cycle:

The current 3-year period is from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. This period is the same for all members. Submission deadline for this cycle is December 31, 2021. All members are responsible for maintaining credits in good standing and for submitting proof of same within the required timeline.

Any credits accumulated in the current cycle in excess of the 25 required may be carried forward into the next cycle to a maximum of 12 credits each, per profession.

The CMMOTA requires a basic level of training in massage of 2200 hours or more from an approved school as a prerequisite for membership, as an RMT, this training or part thereof cannot be used for RMT CEC credits.

The CMMOTA requires a basic level of training in Manual Osteopathic Training of 1000-hours or more from an approved school as a prerequisite for membership, as an MOT, this training or part thereof cannot be used for MOT CEC credits.

The required CEC credits are prorated depending on your effective date for becoming a Full RMT or MOT member:

Modality List for Massage Therapists Updated September 2021

Modality List for Manual Osteopathic Therapists Updated September 2021

Membership Effective Date	Credits Required	Attend at least 1 AGM
Prior to January 1, 2019	25	Required/fee in-lieu AGM Attendance
January 1/19- December 31/19	25	Required/fee in-lieu AGM Attendance
January 1/20- December 31/20	17	Required/fee in-lieu AGM Attendance
January 1/21- March 31/21	9	Not Required
April 1/21- December 31/21	6	Not Required

The required CEC credits are prorated depending on your effective date for becoming a Full RMT or MOT member:

Credit Guidelines

Attendance at a CMMOTA Annual General Meeting

3 CEC per year of attendance during a submission cycle.

Maintenance of Standard First Aid and Level “C” CPR Certification

6 CEC automatically granted per submission cycle. Courses delivered solely online are not acceptable to maintain certification.

Primary Continuing Education Credits

An approved course in a recognized massage or manual osteopathic therapy modality with a hands-on client approach. This training must be taken in person. 1 credit per hour will be awarded to a maximum of 24 credits per course. (requires submission through CMMOTA Member Portal [https://app.cmmota.com/login] or Appendix 23 – CEC Course Submission Form.)

Professional Skills Continuing Education Credits

An approved course in a recognized course that involve either business skills development (marketing, bookkeeping, etc.), communication skill development, healthcare skills and protocols, assessment and interview skills, refresher courses (in anatomy, physiology, documentation, etc.), clinical procedures or protocols (example concussion protocols, or trauma protocols), or any course that enhances practice management. This training may be taken in person or online. 1 credit per hour will be awarded to a maximum of 24 credits per course. (requires submission through CMMOTA Member Portal [https://app.cmmota.com/login] or Appendix 23 – CEC Course Submission Form.)

Secondary Continuing Education Credits

An approved course in a recognized massage or manual osteopathic therapy modality related to self-care, client-care and/or professional development that does not have a hands-on client approach. This training must be taken in person. 1 credit per 2 hours to a maximum of 6 credits per course. (requires submission through CMMOTA Member Portal [https://app.cmmota.com/login] or Appendix 23 – CEC Course Submission Form.)

Online/Distance Learning Continuing Education Credits

An approved course in massage or manual osteopathic therapy modality taken via distance learning, online or home studies. 1 credit per 2 hours to a maximum of 6 credits per course. (requires submission through CMMOTA Member Portal [https://app.cmmota.com/login] or Appendix 23 – CEC Course Submission Form.)

Personal Interest Training Credits

Any course that enhances overall health and balance to the therapist and/or clients. 1 credit per course regardless of hours to a maximum of 3 credits per submission cycle. (requires submission through CMMOTA Member Portal [https://app.cmmota.com/login] or Appendix 23 – CEC Course Submission Form.)

Volunteering on behalf of CMMOTA at a CMMOTA Event

Participating as a volunteer at a CMMOTA hosted event. 1 credit per 2 hours, to a maximum of 3 credits per event.

Volunteering to promote the industry

Participation as a volunteer providing either massage or manual osteopathic treatments free of charge at an event. 1 credit per 2 hours, to a maximum of 3 credits per event, to a maximum of 6 credits per CEC cycle (requires completed Appendix 24 – Event Volunteer Participation Form).

Teaching and Teaching Assistant

Credits Vary. (requires completed Appendix 25 – Teaching or Teaching Assistant CEC Form).

Workshop Instructor or Assistant

Credits Vary. (requires completed Appendix 26 – Workshop Instructor or Assistant CEC Form).

CMMOTA Board of Directors participation

Being a duly elected or appointed member of the Board of Directors. 6 credits per year, or portion of a year, of service.

CMMOTA Appeals Committee Participation

Being a duly appointed member of the Appeals Committee and participating in the yearly training session. 4 credits per year, or portion of a year, of service.
Sitting as a member of an Appeal Hearing Panel. 4 credits.

CMMOTA Continuing Education Credits Committee

Being a duly appointed member of the Continuing Education Committee. 6 credits per year, or portion of a year, or service.

CMMOTA Disciplinary Committee Participation

Being a duly appointed member of the Disciplinary Committee and participating in the yearly training session. 4 credits per year, or portion of a year, of service.
Sitting as a member of a Disciplinary Hearing Panel. 4 credits.

CMMOTA Investigation Committee Participation

Being a duly appointed member of the Investigation Committee and participating in the yearly training session. 4 credits per year, or portion of a year, of service.
Participating as a member of an Investigation Team. 4 credits.

Other Committee Service

Credits vary, as outlined in the establishment of committee policy.

By Motion of the Board of Directors

Under special circumstances the Board of Directors may award Continuing Education Credits to a member, or a group of members, for any reason that it deems appropriate.

Submission Guidelines

In order to process your credits quickly and efficiently, please ensure that you have included all of the information requested on the forms listed above, along with additional documents if applicable

In order to be approved all courses must have a certificate of attendance or completion. Courses may be taken in person, distance learning, online or correspondence. Full contact information must be provided for all courses.
All submissions, course outlines, certificates, etc. must be in English or translated into English for the committee to review. All unrecognized courses are subject to review by the education committee. If found to be unacceptable, no credits will be awarded. The Continuing Education Credits Committee may, at its discretion, confirm the authenticity of any submission.

Failure to Comply

Failure to comply with the CEC credit requirements will result in the implementation of Disciplinary Policy for Non-Compliance Regarding Continuing Education Credits: