When “Approved” Doesn’t Always Mean “Insurable”: What You Need to Know About Continuing Education

The continuing education industry for massage therapy is enormous—like, towering-mountain-range enormous. From hot stone techniques to advanced myofascial wizardry, there are hundreds (yes, hundreds) of course providers eager to train you in just about everything under the sun.

We get it—at CMMOTA, we see the flood of continuing education submissions every year. In fact, last year alone, we reviewed over 300 new courses for Continuing Education Credit (CEC) approval.

But here’s where things can get a bit… sticky.

Just because a course has been approved for CECs does not automatically mean you can go out and start practicing what you learned. Sounds contradictory, right? We thought so too—until we dug into the details.

“Sufficient Training”—The Insurance Angle

This story goes back a few years (ancient history in massage terms). A member reached out with a simple, but important, question:

“What exactly does ‘sufficient training’ mean on my insurance certificate?”

You may have seen this line yourself. It’s that small but mighty sentence tucked underneath your list of covered modalities, often phrased as:

“The above modalities may be practiced where sufficient training has been obtained.”

It seems straightforward—until you realize no one wants to find out what doesn’t count as sufficient training after a claim is denied.

How CMMOTA and the Insurance Company Work Together

So, what did we do? We went straight to the source: the professional liability insurance provider. After a bit of back-and-forth (okay, more than a bit), we landed on a solid process.

When new courses are submitted for CEC approval, we now provide course material and certificates to the insurer so they can determine if the training meets the threshold for sufficient. Once they give the green light, the course gets tagged as “approved for practice,” and the modality can be formally recognized in your scope of work.

And yes, some modalities require an extra insurance premium. Curious if yours does? Just email info@cmmota.com—we’ve got your back.

Not All Courses Make the Cut

Here’s the reality: not all continuing education courses meet the standards required by insurance providers. A course might have good intentions but lack essential components like safety protocols, assessment techniques, or therapeutic rationale.

At the end of the day, it’s the insurance company taking the risk when they cover your work. And their risk assessment leans heavily on whether your education is complete and credible.

How We Help You Stay Covered and Confident

At CMMOTA, we care deeply about our members. We want you to feel confident that the treatments you offer are not just helpful—but also covered.

That’s why we do the heavy lifting behind the scenes, reviewing each course and verifying its insurability, so you don’t have to wonder if your new skill is supported by your policy.

So, What Should You Do Before Registering for a Course?

Good news: there’s an easy way to check if your course is approved and covered.

  1. Log into your CMMOTA profile.
  2. On the left-hand side, click Approved CEC Courses.
  3. Use the search bar on the right to type a keyword (e.g., Kinetic, Anatomy, etc.).
  4. Click on the course name or Select Course to view details like the instructor name or website.

Already completed a course?

Just click Select Course, upload your certificate, and enter the date completed.

Didn’t find the course you’re looking for? No problem—just shoot us an email at info@cmmota.com, and we’ll investigate on your behalf.

Final Thoughts

In a profession where lifelong learning is the norm (and a badge of honor), it’s crucial to make sure your continuing education not only expands your skills—but also protects your practice.

So, before you click “Register Now” on that next shiny workshop, double-check that it’s got both CEC approval and insurance eligibility.

We’re here to help you navigate that path—because the only surprise you should get in massage is how much tension people can hold in their traps.