NCB Improves Its Service

The NCBTMB office has experienced a drastic growth in the number of candidates seeking certification, and the staff has been challenged to keep up with the demand.

After just six years of administering the examination, over 33,000 practitioners have been nationally certified. The NCBTMB office is continually working to provide better service to its candidates for national certification and its current certification population.
In the last quarter of 1997, the NCBTMB office staff began making the following customer service improvements:
• Staff members were added to support the processing of applications;
• A full-time Exam Manager was hired to support the development and administration of the examination process;
• Payment processing was moved to an off-site financial institution for faster, more efficient processing;
• The computer database was upgraded for year 2000 compliance;
• More test sites were added to meet the demand of test takers nationwide;
• Handbooks were revised to be more user-friendly;
• The automated telephone service was updated; and
• Office staff committed to a 24-hour response time for messages.
NCB has made a commitment to further strengthen its customer service initiatives. Look for an update on these service improvements throughout 1999:
• Additional staff member hired to handle the overflow of telephone inquiries;
• Newsletters, provider lists, handbooks, and other print material will be posted on NCB’s web site;
• Recommendations for improvements from the Organizational Improvement Task Force Implementation are put in place; and
• Strategic planning efforts are underway.
Future issues of the NCB Connection will have more detailed information about the improvements that the NCB has already made, as well as those currently being implemented.
For questions or comments about these improvements, contact Beth Danner by mail, NCBTMB, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102, by fax, (703) 610-9005, or by e-mail, bdanner@ncbtmb.com.

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FROMTHECHAIR

Due to the volume of election material in this issue of the NCB Connection, I am keeping my comments brief. I do, however, want to thank all those individuals who continue to comment to me on aspects of the National Certification Program.
It was wonderful to meet so many certificants, school owners, and others, at the reception held in conjunction with our last Board of Directors’ meeting in Phoenix. (And better yet to find a nationally certified therapist to help get the kinks from some nasty air travel out of my body! Thanks!) In conjunction with our May Board of Directors’ meeting, we are having a very involved Strategic Planning Process so we will be unable to host an open reception. We will, however, host an open reception at the board meeting this October in Seattle, WA. I look forward to meeting many more of you there!
It was also gratifying to find out through correspondence that many of you are actually reading my comments in this column! I always appreciate your thoughts on what we are doing well and on what we need to improve. I’m only sorry that I can’t respond to each comment personally. I read and consider all correspondence, though!
Finally, I encourage you to consider volunteering for the important work that lies ahead. A need for fresh ideas and abilities within NCBTMB’s committee structure and leadership always exists. In addition to the Exam Committee, the NCBTMB has volunteer opportunities available in other areas, such as eligibility, recertification, continuing education, legislative issues, standards and ethics, and more! Feel free to contact the NCBTMB office to find out more.
Thank you for your continued support of ethical and professional standards in the massage and bodywork field.

-Clifford Korn, NCTMB, Chair

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GUESTCOLUMN

By Jodi Stork

Are all massage therapists created equal? In the United States, the answer is no. Some are required to be licensed by the state, or town in which they work. Others are not obligated to have any formal training or licensing; they can simply hang a shingle and start working with literally no “barriers to entry” into the industry. Therefore, depending on where you live, you may have the best or worst of what our profession has to offer as a standard of skills and ethical conduct. This is why I support and encourage national certification for massage therapists.
Massage therapy has grown in leaps and bounds over the past couple of decades—both in legitimacy and in value as a credible health care resource for many illnesses and soft-tissue injuries. That is pretty remarkable, considering the unfavorable reputation of the industry when it was common to refer to “massage parlors” with a snicker and a wink.
Many professional massage therapists have worked tirelessly and with great dedication to clean up the image of massage therapy. They have spent innumerable hours educating the public and the health care industry about the benefits of massage and touch therapy. As a result, medical massage therapy benefits are being included in many major medical health care policies. These benefits have been common for workers compensation and personal injury protection reimbursement for some time, and continue to grow in popularity with referring physicians.
In Florida, massage therapists are required to complete 500 hours of classroom training and pass a state board exam. Our licenses are regulated through the Department of Health and Medical Quality Assurance. Licensed massage therapists are scrutinized as much as physical therapists, nurses, and even physicians. I welcome the careful examination of our massage therapy skills and ethics. To me, our status as health care professionals is taken seriously by many states and, in turn, elevates our occupation in the eyes and minds of the medical community.
Unfortunately, this is not the case in every state. Many are lagging behind in policing and regulating the trade. National certification is the obvious choice for those massage therapists who live and work within these communities. It shows the world that standardization in basic skills and ethical conduct can be achieved and that professional massage therapists take their business seriously.
I also encourage those massage therapists who are licensed through a state or local agency to become nationally certified. It adds legitimacy to their license, and can be valuable in educating the consumers of massage therapy services, including the insurance industry. Many insurance companies are reluctant to pay benefits for massage therapy as a rule. With widespread voluntary national certification, therapists are on the “same page,” showing unity, and adding integrity to the argument that we should be recognized as legitimate health care providers.
After working as a licensed massage therapist for more than 14 years in salons, gyms, and medical offices, including my own clinic, I feel it is incumbent upon all massage therapists to seek out professional credentials, especially national certification. It takes us to the next level, increasing the efficacy of our education, skills, and professional conduct.

Jody Stork, NCTMB, LMT – has been a licensed massage therapist for 15 years. She received her national certification credential in 1992 and renewed it in 1996. Jody is the owner of a massage therapy school, (Space Coast Massage & Allied Health Institute) and clinic (Space Coast Massage Therapy, Inc.) with her husband, Rick Stork, in Melbourne, Florida. She is a training consultant for the Florida Marlins Professional Baseball Club and provides sports massage therapy to numerous professional athletes.

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Why doesn’t anyone answer the phone at the NCBTMB office? I always have to leave a message.
The NCBTMB office currently has nine full-time staff members to assist the entire certificant population (about 33,000 people) as well as those who are applying to enter the national certification program (another 700 people per month). Staff coverage is provided from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, Eastern Standard Time. On an average day, the staff members receive about 400-450 telephone calls. So, if you can’t get to a live person, it’s because they are on the other line with someone else.
One of the customer service improvements that the National Certification Board (NCB) made in 1998 is the guarantee that phone messages are returned within 24 hours. Leave a message and you will receive a return call.
Another improvement that is currently being implemented is the addition of another full-time staff member dedicated solely to answering telephone calls and fulfilling requests for information. NCBTMB is happy to welcome Mary Downes to the team! You can reach Mary at (703) 610-0238.

Why does it take so long to determine my eligibility? I sent all of my education information. How long does it take to evaluate my application?
It may seem that determining one’s eligibility is a simple process, but NCB takes steps to ensure that every candidate who receives notification of eligibility has met all the requirements.
First, applications are sent directly to the bank for payment processing, then sent to the NCBTMB office. Once the eligibility department receives the application, all transcripts are verified to ensure all requirements have been met, a record is created, the testing company is notified, and the eligibility letter is mailed.
An average of 700 candidates take the National Certification Examination (NCE) every month. With this high number of applications coming to the eligibility department staff each month, it really does take about four weeks to process each application, and can take longer if the applicant does not completely fill out the application or enclose all the required materials. So, in order to do your part—use the check box section of the handbook to ensure all required materials are enclosed.

I included all of the required materials with my recertification application, which said not to enclose copies of certificates or transcripts. After mailing the application to your office, I received a letter saying that my application was not complete because my ethics documentation was not included. Do I have to send supporting materials?
NCBTMB’s recertification program is based on an honor reporting system. We ask that you collect all of your work experience documentation and certificates of completion and/or transcripts over the four-year period. We also ask that you complete the work experience and continuing education sections of the application in the Recertification Handbook. The only supporting documentation you need to send, in addition to the application, is the verification of the two hours of ethics education. The NCBTMB office has received many questions about this issue and has responded by making the new edition of the Recertification Handbook much clearer to understand and use.

Have you ever wondered why the NCBTMB office does the things it does? NCB Connection now offers this forum for certificants to ask such bewildering questions.
Submit your question for “Why We Do The Things We Do,” to Beth Danner, Marketing and Communications Manager, by fax (703) 610-9005, by e-mail, bdanner@ncbtmb.com, or by mail, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, Virginia, 22102.

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1999 Board of Directors Election Ballot

Once again, you have an opportunity to assist in the governance of your National Certification Board by electing new board members. This year we have four candidates running for two director positions and two candidates running for one public member position.
Please take a few moments to read the biographical information and position statement presented for each candidate on pages 2 and 3. Once you have read the information presented please vote for your directors on the enclosed official ballot. Make sure to include your certification number on the ballot. Ballots returned without the number will not be counted. (You can find your certification number directly above your name on your address label).
It’s that easy! Remove the page from you newsletter, fold, tape, stamp and mail it. Your ballot must be postmarked before the deadline date of April 18, 1999. Or if you prefer you can fax your ballot to the NCB office at 703-610-9005. If you have any questions please call Beth Danner at 703-610-0236 or you may e-mail questions to bdanner@ncbtmb.com. Note: Ballots can not be e-mailed to the office. Results from the election will be announced in the Spring issue of NCB Connection.

NCBTMB1999ELECTION

Nominee Profiles for Board Members
Lawrence Kaufman
Program Coordinator and Instructor, The Institute for Integrative Body Therapies, Grand Junction, CO.
EDUCATION: The Family Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO (1988); Rolf Institute, Boulder, CO (1978, 1987); San Francisco School of Massage, San Francisco, CA (1976); B.A., Psychology, Antioch College, Yellowspring, OH (1974)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Member, American Massage Therapy Association.

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Structural Integration; Energetic

POSITION STATEMENT:* My vision of the NCBTMB is of a dynamic and credible organization that provides certification, and standards of excellence. Also, I envision a variety of degree programs for bodywork professionals; and evolution and definition of standards for regulation of the industry. NCBTMB creates unity in the profession and is an effective voice for the acceptance of massage/bodywork as an integral and essential part of health care by the allopathic community.
I envision an organization that develops, defines and certifies multiple levels of practitioner proficiency, from entry level through terminal degree, and provides a structure that allows practitioners to pursue continuing education goals and assures clients of professional competence at all levels.
I envision the NCBTMB as the organization that defines and enforces practitioner proficiency nationally and provides clear standards that state and national legislators can endorse and adopt. I envision our industry as regulated by knowledgeable professionals in the field rather than by disinterested political administrators.
Finally, I see the NCBTMB as a unifying factor among professional bodyworkers and as an advocate for our profession in the political arena, the public sector, and the larger health care community. As a cohesive community, we can better serve the interests of our clients, our profession, and our individual members.

C. Michael Pizzuto
Co-owner and Executive Director, BMSI Institute, Overland Park, KS.

EDUCATION: Phoenix School of Massage, Houston, TX.; World Health Organization, Beijing, China.; Men Hospital, People’s Republic of China

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Member, American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA); Past President, American Massage Therapy Association Kansas Chapter; Chairperson, NCBTMB Continuing Education Provider Review Panel

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Contemporary Western, Oriental

POSITION STATEMENT:* When I got into massage, I was told I was riding the crest of the wave. What a feeling! Even if you’ve never surfed, I think you can appreciate that statement. Well, I’ve been riding that wave for over 12 years now, and guess what—I’m still on that crest!
Do you remember why you got into this profession? I remember very distinctly. I wanted to help. I love being a massage therapist. I love my clients. I love the knowledge I have gained and have been able to share with others since beginning up this road. I still want to help.
I’m a hard working massage therapist. My days are long and my nights are short, and I’m still on the crest of that wave. I know from experience what NCBTMB means to me—professionalism, national certification, and a commitment to the advancement of my chosen line of work.
I have the ability to help by being on the board. I have an ability to see the bigger picture. With the vision of the eagle and the strength of the bear, I will work to help. I welcome the year 2000 and the chance to be a working member of your board of directors.

Susan Scoboria
Associate Director of Admissions, New York College for Wholistic Health Education and Research, Syosset, New York.

EDUCATION: B.A. Candidate, Norwich University, Montpelier, VT, November 1999; Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy (1983); University of Connecticut (1979);

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Director, NCBTMB Board of Directors; member, American Massage Therapy Association.

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Exercise and movement; educational and professional standards in massage therapy; higher education.

POSITION STATEMENT:* I would like to continue serving as a Board member with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as a representative for the educational sector of the massage therapy profession. In my last two years of tenure I have moved from the vocational school environment to the collegiate level of direction in admissions for the New York College for Wholistic Health Education and Research. My professional life is a direct mirror of the educational growth of our profession, and these tremendous strides that massage therapists and the National Certification Board have taken indicate that we will continue to see the need to implement advanced standards and practices for our certificants and stakeholders of the future. The vision of the NCB is to lead the way in this goal through adherence to its Code of Ethics, its organizational competence and growth, the quality of both its certification and its recertification programs, and the strength of its purpose to qualify and support this profession. These are all tasks that I define and achieve daily in my full-time career, and I would like to be given the continued opportunity to contribute to the outstanding efforts of the NCB and the profession by volunteering my time, educational skills, professional knowledge and qualified leadership ability to your goals.

Lynda Solien-Wolfe
Owner, Solwolfe Massage Therapy, and Public Relations Consultant

EDUCATION: Space Coast Massage Institute (1993)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Chairperson: NCBTMB Communications Committee; Vice President, Florida Chapter, Communications/Public Relations, American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA); Member, Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce;
AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Public Relations/Marketing for the massage profession; Deep Tissue Therapy, Pregnancy/Infant Massage; Chair Massage and Spa treatments.

POSITION STATEMENT:* Serving our profession is a privilege and honor for me. I have served as the chair of the communications committee for NCBTMB during the past year. I support the mission of the NCBTMB to foster high standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of services through a recognized credible credentialing program that assures the competency of practitioners of therapeutic massage and bodywork. I believe that the national certification program is an important component of the standard setting process. I also believe that national certification sets a high standard of professionalism and has allowed its certificants to be viewed more seriously by the health care industry and the general public.
I look forward to being a part of continuing to establish national certification as a recognized credential of professional competency and ethical standards in the delivery of therapeutic massage and bodywork services to the public.
I will support efforts to find more ways to promote the worth of national certification to its certificants, other health professionals, policy makers and the public. I am very proud to say that I am nationally certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork. Thank you for your support. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the NCBTMB.

Nominee Profiles for Public Member Position
Irene Townsend
Program Coordinator: North County Interfaith Council’s Annex Counseling Center

EDUCATION: Ph.D., M.A., Social Psychology, Loyola University; B.A., History, San Francisco, Summa Cume Laude

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Member, American Psychological Association

POSITION STATEMENT:* As someone who is knowledgeable about, but not a member of, the massage and bodywork profession, my vision would be to make the work of its practitioner more available to both the general public and other health care providers.
That is easier said than done. The simplest complaint today can be responded to in such a variety of ways that even responsible health care and “wellness” providers and consumers have difficulty determining the most effective and most nurturing response. Massage and bodywork practitioners bring an important perspective to this decision; however, their voice is often unfocused and underutilized.
I see the National Certification Program as contributing to the solution to this problem: Both the consumer and the health care provider would know that a nationally certified massage and bodywork provider would have competence both in their specialty and in ethical training. That would facilitate the provider’s taking their proper place on the health care provider’s team.
The day may even come when the wisdom of the public, shown today by the continued use of “alternative providers” may seep up to the decisionmakers and caretakers of the public health.

Pam Laubscher
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

EDUCATION: Family Practice Residency, University of California at Davis Medical Center (1989-1992); D.O., Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (1988); B.S, Zoology, Ohio University (1983)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Member, American Academy of Family Physicians; American Osteopathic Association; American College of Osteopathic Physicians

POSITION STATEMENT:* My vision for the National Certification Program contains many visions. The first vision is one where the benefits of certification and re-certification are emphasized. This includes educating massage therapists and bodyworkers as well as the public. Through consistent communication the message will be transmitted of the importance of certification.
I also envision a smooth process of re-certification every eight to ten years. This will help achieve the NCTMB’s mission of fostering high standards of ethical and professional practice.
Another part of my vision is continued increase in respect and recognition for massage therapists and bodyworkers. A strong National Certification Program is one of the ways respect and recognition will continue to increase.
The best parts of a vision include continuing to keep those processes that are working well. As a public member of the board, I will advocate recognizing and maintaining the processes that are functioning well. I will advocate improvements in those functions that are not working well.
Lastly, I have a vision of an exciting and dynamic strategic plan that will lead the profession to even greater achievements.

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NCBNEWS

Board Reception in Phoenix
As announced in the last issue of the NCB Connection, the NCB Board of Directors met in early January in Phoenix, AZ. During their meeting, the board members hosted a reception for local certificants and schools to share ideas and comments about the NCBTMB. The board members reported that the discussion was valuable, and that they gained some insight from the guests.
The next opportunity for this type of interaction with the board members will be held during the fall board meeting, currently scheduled October 1-3, 1999 in Seattle, WA. Future issues of NCB Connection will contain more specific information about the reception and how to attend.

Newsletter by Fax/E-Mail
Members of the profession have responded enthusiastically to the initial offering of this service. This issue of the NCB Connection marks the first one to be sent by fax or e-mail to those who requested this service.
If you would like to receive future issues of NCB Connection by fax or e-mail, please contact Beth Danner by phone, (703) 610-0236, by fax, (703) 610-9005, or by e-mail, bdanner@ncbtmb.com. When requesting this service, please include the following information: your name, certification number, telephone number, your preferred method of receiving the newsletter, and your fax number or e-mail address.

Don't forget to check out our web site and fax on demand!
These two valuable tools can provide you with information at the touch of a button. The web site has general information about NCBTMB, the most current copy of the Candidate Handbook, information on how to keep your certification status current, how to reach the NCB office, plus much, much more. Check it out at www.ncbtmb.com.
Fax on Demand is a toll-free automated phone where you can access the same information that's found on the web site through your fax machine. Simply call 800-296-0664 and select option #3 for Fax on Demand. Please see the chart below for the most commonly requested documents and their corresponding document number.

Certification Update
Since the National Certification Examination (NCE) was first administered in 1992, 33,000 individuals across the United States have become nationally certified. What was 1998’s impact on this number?
In 1998, the total number of test-takers was 8,588, compared to 6,986 in 1997. This means that an additional 1,602 candidates took the NCE in 1998. Of the 8,588 examination candidates, 7,902 passed the NCE while only 686 failed. This reflects a national pass rate of 92 percent.
Likewise, there were 7,243 nationally certified practitioners due to recertify in 1998. Of those, 2,593 have already recertified, over 500 people did not submit the required documentation and are being processed now and extensions have been granted to several others for extenuating circumstances.
The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) is offered continually throughout the year. The examination is administered electronically at over 180 sites by ASI, our testing company.

Are You Promoting Yourself Wisely?
NCBTMB encourages you to use your Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork logo to promote your certification status in advertisements and brochures, on business cards and stationary, as well as all other printed materials you distribute. Contact NCB if you need a logo sheet. Remember—on average, a person needs to see your information five times before it stays in their long term memory. Only those who are currently certified may use this logo and credential, so make sure your certification stays current!

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COMMITTEEUPDATES

Ethics and Standards Committee
Garnet Adair, Chair
The members of this committee will present a draft revision of the Practice of Standards document, a work in progress, at the Board of Directors meeting in May.
Tracy Walton resigned from the committee in December. “Her ideas were very beneficial and we will miss her knowledge and insight as our work continues,” said Garnet Adair, committee chairperson. Two new members have joined the committee: Jean Middleswarth from North Carolina, and Marion Visel from Connecticut.
The committee members have been meeting monthly by teleconference, but also met this winter for a two-day, face-to-face conference.

Regulatory/Legislative Committee
Sally Hacking, Chair
Members of the Regulatory/Legislative Committee have been actively exhibiting at state and local legislative venues, as well as at regulatory board seminars.
Most recently, committee members attended the National League of Cities Annual Congress, which was held in Kansas City, Missouri. The National League of Cities (NLC) is the oldest, largest, and most represented municipal organization in the United States. Over 1,500 cities, towns and communities are affiliated with the NLC, and 49 state municipal leagues represent additional 18,000 jurisdictions through their participation in the league.
By attending the NLC Annual Congress, NCBTMB provided an educational outreach opportunity to discuss the benefits of the national certification program and the NCE credential as it relates to local municipal ordinance structures for the massage therapy and bodywork profession. Elected officials expressed comfort in being able to access a NOCA-approved credential for the profession, which has opened their thinking toward creating a specific ordinance for massage therapists and bodyworkers, and isolating these professionals totally from their current massage parlor code language. “This is a step in the right direction and certainly a much more appropriate legislative strategy than merely creating exemption language in existing massage parlor ordinance,” said Sally Hacking, committee chairperson.
The committee members discussed the massage and bodywork issues with state league directors representing Alabama, Delaware, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Washington. They had positive dialogue with many mayors and local elected councilpersons relative to local massage and bodywork ordinance language.
Attendance at these venues continues to enhance NCBTMB’s educational outreach in the legislative arena.

Strategic Planning Task Force
Marlene Cohen, Chair
Members of the Strategic Planning Task Force have developed a survey that will be distributed to the certificant population soon. Please look for it, complete it, and return it to the NCBTMB office at your earliest convenience.
The task force members expect the results of the survey to have a huge impact on their future goals and missions, and the development of their new strategic plan. The data will focus on the core purpose, values, vision, and mission of the NCBTMB for the new strategic plan.
The task force members will host a two-day industry summit meeting May 19-20 in McLean, Virginia to discuss those issues. A select group of individuals have been invited to participate in the summit. These individuals have been deemed innovative leaders in the massage and bodywork profession, and will help to formulate the framework that NCBTMB will construct to establish its goals and activities for the future. The participants will discuss issues surrounding the national certification program, the future of certification, and its impact on massage therapy and bodywork.
In addition, the task force members are reviewing the results of the six-month study of NCBTMB based on the recommendations made by the Organizational Improvement Task Force (OITF). This task force met in December to develop several recommendations based on the results of this study. The recommendations focused on: board development and leadership; communication—internal as well as to the stakeholder population; committee function; and leadership training. The task force members presented their recommendations to the NCBTMB Board of Directors at the January meeting and all 29 recommendations were adopted. As you can see from the customer service improvements article on page one in this issue, NCBTMB has already begun the implementation process of these recommendations.

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RECERTIFICATIONCORNER

Revised Recertification Application is Now Available
If your certification is set to expire March 30 or May 30, 1999, and you have not yet received a revised Recertification Handbook, please contact Kelly Koteen at the NCBTMB office by phone, (703) 610-0215, or by e-mail, kkoteen@ncbtmb.com.
The information and application process contained in the revised handbook has been updated to include useful information to help certificants expedite the recertification process.

Special Thanks to Survey Participants
Thanks to everyone who was selected to participate in the NCBTMB Recertification Survey. The survey was sent to 1,521 participants who were randomly selected from the recertified and non-recertified population.
The NCBTMB office staff conducted this survey in order to review the recertification component of the National Certification Program. The survey results are being used to evaluate our current program and to assist in developing a more efficient recertification program for our certificants.
It’s not too late! If you still have that survey and did not return it, please complete the survey and send it to the NCBTMB office at your earliest convenience. Your feedback is essential to providing a program of value to you and your colleagues in the profession.

Did You Know...?
One of the requirements in the recertification process is the submission of your ethics documentation. Of the 1,003 individuals who applied for recertification in November, over 600 did not submit their ethics documentation. This drastically slows down the rate at which you will receive your new certificate. Please—remember to submit your ethics documentation with your recertification application.

Recertification Deadlines for 1999 are:
March 1999
June 1999
September 1999
December 1999

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Are You Current In Our Database?
The NCB makes every effort to keep the most current mailing addresses of its certificants. However, we need your help to do so. The number of returned copies of NCB Connection has dropped in the last few months, thanks to your assistance. We ask that you continue to contact us with your change of addresses. Don’t forget to update your phone number for the NCB Practitioner free referral on the web site. Many people call daily for a list of practitioners in their area. If you know of anyone who has moved please tell them to update their address and phone with NCB. You can update your address by phone (703) 610-0238 or e-mail mdownes@ncbtmb.com.

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New Category A Providers

Newly-Approved Category A Providers

Academy of Healing Arts, Massage and Facial Skin Care
3141 South Military Trail
Lake Worth, FL 33463
(561) 965-4686
various courses

Academy of Massage Therapy, Inc.
401 South Van Brunt Street
Englewood, NJ 07631
(201) 568-3220
various courses

Academy of Medical Arts and Business
2301 Academy Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 545-4747
various courses

American Institute of Massage Therapy
2101 N. Federal Highway
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33305
(954) 568-6200
various courses

Colorado Center for Healing Touch
12477 W. Cedar Drive
Lakewood, CO 80228
(303) 989-0581
various Healing Touch courses

John Farls Felice
1843 County Road 207
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-6031
Shiatsu for bodyworkers

Cindy Goodnetter
6730 Foxbend Court
Florissant, MO 63033
(314) 653-0753
various courses

Leif Grunseth
203 Bellevue
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 688-0356
various sports massage courses

Hakomi Institute for Integrative Studies
PO Box 19438
Boulder, CO 80308
(303) 447-3290
various courses

Yvonne Hall
Hc02 Box 7456-A
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 745-2091
various courses

Indiana University/Purdue University
620 N. Union Drive, Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-5046
various courses

Institute for Advanced Therapy
17117 W. Nine Mile Road, Suite 700
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 552-8689
various courses

International School of Shiatsu
10 S. Clinton Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
(212) 340-9918
various Shiatsu courses

June Lordi
49 Kinderhook Street
Randolph, ME 04346
(207) 582-7491
Tai-chi massage courses

Seashore Bodywork Resource
6 Brookdale Road
Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 465-4723
various courses

Somanautics
Gil Hedley
430 Westwood Avenue
Westwood, NJ 07675
(201) 722-0989
various courses

Bruce Stark
410 Wisconsin Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255-1383
ortho-bionomy courses

University of Washington Medical Center
1959 NE Pacific Street
Box 356076
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 548-4065
various courses

Wellness Workers
146 Lakeview Commons, Suite 200
Haddonfield-Berlin Road
Gibbsboro, NJ 08026
(609) 435-3427
various courses

To obtain a complete list of current Category A Approved Providers check out the continuing education section on our web site. You can visit us at www.ncbtmb.com.
For more information about Category A approved providers, contact Kelly Koteen, Recertification and Continuing Education Manager, by mail, NCBTMB, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, Virginia, 22102, by phone, (703) 610-0215, by fax, (703) 610-9005, or by e-mail, kkoteen@ncbtmb.com.

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Seated Massage Anyone?
Are you looking for an opportunity to contribute something to the profession but only have a limited amount of time? Try volunteering your massage skills at an upcoming NCBTMB on-site massage presentation. The next scheduled on-site massage demonstrations are set for:

July 24-29, 1999
National Conference of State Legislators
Indianapolis, IA

October 13-17, 1999
AMTA National Conference
San Antonio, TX

Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 1999
National League of Cities
Los Angeles, CA

For more information about participating in the on-site massage demonstrations, please contact Beth Danner, Marketing & Communications Manager, by phone, (703) 610-0236, by fax, (703) 610-9005, by e-mail, bdanner@ncbtmb.com, or by regular mail, NCBTMB, 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300, McLean, Virginia, 22102.

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CALENDAROFEVENTS    

March 11-14    
California Massage & Bodywork Convention   
San Francisco, CA

March 26-28    
Texas Chapter AMTA Spring Convention   
Houston, TX

April 8-11   
Washington Chapter, AMTA Spring Convention
Wenatchee, WA

May 5-9    
American Holistic Medical Association Conference
Washington, DC

May 7-9
American Oriental Bodywork Therapy Association
St. Petersburg, FL

May 19-20
NCBTMB Strategic Planning
McLean, VA

May 21-22
NCBTMB Spring Board of Directors Meeting
McLean, VA   

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NCBTMB
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 300
McLean, VA 22102
703-610-9015 … 703-610-9005
1-800-296-0664 (totally automated line)
e-mail: mswiscoski@ncbtmb.com