Becoming Nationally Certified – It’s the Right Thing to Do!
What is National Certification? What does it really mean to be Nationally Certified?
Certification is a process undergone voluntarily by which an agency or association (such as the NCBTMB) grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that agency or association. Qualifications may include education, work experience, and an acceptable performance on a qualifying examination. In addition, National Certification warrants that an individual has demonstrated the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to perform the duties and tasks associated with a defined profession. The certification process typically includes eligibility requirements and an evaluation of candidates’ knowledge and/or skills.*
    To become a Nationally Certified Massage or Bodywork Practitioner, the main requirement is to pass the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). All requirements for National Certification set forth by the NCBTMB are explained in detail in the NCBTMB Candidate Handbook, which can be obtained through the NCBTMB web site at www.ncbtmb.com, and clicking on “How to Apply for the NCE.”
    Being a Nationally Certified Massage or Bodywork Practitioner means that the practitioner has chosen to meet a higher level of quality and standard for their professional performance. Practitioners accomplish this by keeping current in their field by participating in continuing education courses, and they are held accountable to a higher authority for Standards of Practice, professional ethics, behavior and conduct, and quality performance. An individual who becomes Nationally Certified in the massage or bodywork profession sets an example to their clients, other professionals, and the general public by achieving and maintaining the highest level of professionalism.

What are the differences between being Nationally Certified, and completing a “certificate program?”
Once an individual has met the requirements set forth in the NCBTMB Candidate Handbook, has successfully completed the NCE, and has completed all other eligibility requirements, the NCBTMB designates that individual as “Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.” The individual is then able to use the designation “NCTMB” after their name. Their certificate can be displayed in their offices, and they are able to use the NCTMB logo on their business cards and in their advertisements. This National Certification certificate is different than a certificate that is awarded to an individual after completing a massage course, or a certificate obtained from completing a program at a massage school. The NCBTMB certification implies that the individual has completed all requirements for National Certification, and is therefore allowed to use the designation.
    Although National Certification is intended to be voluntary, in many professions the attainment of certification can take on increased value so that it has the power and mandate of a license. For example, in the United States, medical specialty board certification has become, in many cases, a requirement for hospital privileges and reimbursement by third-party payers. A surgeon who is not certified by the American Board of Surgery is greatly restricted as to the scope of their practice and the settings in which they can work.⁺

What is the difference between “National Certification” and a “license?”
National Certification is very different from licensure. Licensure is the process by which an agency of the government (state or local) grants permission to persons to engage in a given profession or occupation. By granting a license to an individual, the government is attesting that the licensed individual has attained the minimal degree of competency necessary to ensure that the public health, safety, and welfare will be reasonably protected.⁺ In some states, massage and bodywork practitioners are required to obtain a license. In these states practitioners may or may not be required by the state to pass the NCE in order to obtain a license. It is best to check with your state office, or your local government office to determine if there are licensure requirements and what these requirements might be.

Why should consumers be aware of practitioners who are not Nationally Certified?
Practitioners who are not Nationally Certified do not meet a national standard and are not held accountable to the NCBTMB Standards of Practice, or Code of Ethics. Consumers are taking a risk by choosing a practitioner who is not Nationally Certified. Informed consumers who choose Nationally Certified Practitioners for massage or bodywork services protect themselves in a variety of ways, and ensure that they will be receiving the highest quality of care.
    National Certification serves practitioners and consumers in variety of ways, including:

• identifying qualified professionals;
• ensuring recognition of expertise;
• enhancing credibility and prestige (of the profession as well as the individual);
• providing a vehicle for professional development;
• establishing professional practice standards;
• protecting the public; and
• encouraging professionals to remain abreast of new developments in the field.*

Sources:
*Knapp, Joan E. “Just-in-Time Credentials,” Professional Development Forum Online, March 2003 (http://www.asaenet.org/edu/article/ 0,,53926,00.html)

⁺Interview, Joan E. Knapp, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at Knapp and Associates International, Inc. (K&AI) received her doctorate from Cornell University in educational and psychological measurement.
Dr. Knapp currently works with clients in the development of professional standards, the design, validation, and implementation of assessment procedures for certification as well as the development of strategic marketing and business plans for these programs. Prior to founding K&AI, Dr. Knapp was an Executive Director at Educational Testing Service.
With more than 25 years of experience in certification, she has published articles on assessment, continuing competence, practice analysis procedures and given numerous workshops and presentations at national meetings on topics related to the development, planning and marketing of certification programs. She is a co-author (with Lenora Knapp, PhD) of The Business of Certification, published this year by the American Society of Association Executives.

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From the Chair
Garnet Adair, NCTMB

Moving Ahead
By the time you read this edition of the NCB Infoline, the gavel of leadership will have already passed from the hands of Whitney Lowe into mine. I’m excited about my year as Chair of the board and accept the responsibility of wearing a new set of glasses that continually bring focus and clarity to the work of the board. My “custom created” glasses are the result of watching Whitney’s leadership during this past year as he led the board through open-minded discussions toward decisions that affect the future of the NCBTMB and the world of credentialing. I am honored to follow in Whitney’s footsteps and I will continue to build upon the foundation that he has set in place.
    This next year brings a flurry of activities for the NCBTMB. Based on industry input, we now have a wide variety of options for recertificaiton and we eagerly wait to evaluate the change to this portion of the NCBTMB program. This year also brings validation of–and changes to–the current National Certification Examination, in addition to continued work in the development of two new, massage specific examinations that we anticipate will be available by early 2004. The validations of the need for three credentials are also the result of a wide variety of input from the industry. Another activity this year is to refresh the NCB Strategic Plan, which normally receives an annual review and update. The board members use the strategic plan to confirm their commitment of professionalism to the industry, much like certificants use the NCBTMB Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to ensure a commitment of professionalism to the consumer. The members of the NCBTMB Board of Directors look forward to continually supporting our position of being THE credential you want hanging on your wall.

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NCBTMB, Schools Work Together to Ensure a Secure Application Process
In April, the NCBTMB piloted new security measures for the initial NCE application process. These measures include candidates submitting a photograph and photocopy of current identification along with their application, examination fee, and notarized photocopy of their diploma. In addition, the candidate’s school must submit the official transcript directly to the NCBTMB office. Schools were also requested to assign a contact for the NCBTMB to ensure close communications to facilitate verification of the authenticity of each candidate’s documentation.
These new security measures were piloted with schools in Maryland and Nevada. Working together, the NCBTMB and the schools in Maryland and Nevada have made significant progress in assuring high standards of security for NCE applicants. Now that the NCBTMB has approved similar security measures for all applicants, these schools have become an example for schools around the world. Some schools have purchased a digital camera so they would have the ability to take student pictures; other schools have printed special envelopes in which to submit students’ applications, and have included the application process as part of their curriculum.
The NCBTMB thanks the following schools for their participation in the new NCBTMB pilot security program.
• Academy of Medical Business Careers
• Allegany College of Maryland
• Anne Arundel Community College
• Aston Paradigm Corp
• Baltimore School of Massage
• Baum Healing Arts Center
• Community College of Baltimore
• Community College of Southern Nevada
• Dahan Institute of Massage Studies
• Garrett College
• Holistic Massage Training
• Massage Institute of Maryland
• Massage Institute of Maryland, Inc.
• Nevada Career Institute
• Nevada School of Massage Therapy
• Northwest Health Careers
• Truckee Meadows Community College

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What Happens to My Application Once I Mail It?

• The application and payment arrive at the bank’s P.O. Box address and the NCBTMB’s accounting department processes the payment. NCB staff members receive applications in batches from the accounting department.
• NCB staff members review each application and verify all supporting documentation.
• A candidate’s eligibility information is determined, then entered into the NCB database.

• Eligible applicants will receive a letter of eligibility containing the testing window and testing reservation information.
• Candidates will have three months to take the examination. They will need to contact the testing vendor to arrange the test site, date, and time. Candidates are urged to reserve their testing site, date, and time immediately upon receipt of this eligibility letter.

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How to Submit a Complete Application

By Mail: 2 Weeks
Candidates complete the application and mail it with payment and all supporting documentation to the P.O. Box address listed in the NCB Candidate Handbook. Staff members review each application, verify transcripts and diplomas. Eligibility is determined and that information is entered into the NCB database. At the end of the two-week period, candidates will receive a letter stating that their application was either accepted and they are eligible to take the NCE, or was incomplete and they need to submit further documentation. Eligible applicants will receive an “Authorization To Test” letter that will explain the testing window and testing reservation information.

Online: 1 Week
Candidates complete the application online through the NCB web site, www.ncbtmb.com. Candidates submit their credit card payment with the application. The candidate must then mail an official school transcript and notarized photocopy of his/her diploma or certificate of completion to the NCB. Staff members review each application, verify transcripts and diplomas. Eligibility is determined and that information is entered into the NCB database. At the end of the one-week period, candidates will receive a letter stating that their application was either accepted and they are eligible to take the NCE, or was incomplete and they need to submit further documentation. Eligible applicants will receive an “Authorization To Test” letter that will explain the testing window and testing reservation information.

    Candidates who submit a complete application–either by mail or online–have more success at becoming eligible to take the NCETMB.
To submit a completed application–either by mail or online–please follow these guidelines.

• Complete and sign the application form neatly, and in English.
• Include with the application a photograph of yourself and a copy of your current identification.
• Include payment by credit card, money order, personal check or certified check.
• Include a notarized copy of certificate or diploma or instruct the school to mail it directly to the NCB office.
• Include official school transcripts. Schools that have a transcript security system may issue a student’s transcript in a sealed envelope.

Official school transcripts must include the following information:
1. School name, address, and phone number
2. Official school seal or logo
3. Start and ending/graduation dates
4. Authorized and dated signature of administrator/director
5. Course title, hours, and grade

If special accommodations are required, be sure to submit with the application all documentation supporting special needs. See page 8 of the NCB Candidate Handbook for instructions on how to request special accommodations.

Applications submitted by mail should be sent to:
NCBTMB
Attention: Eligibility Department
c/o First Union Bank
P.O. Box 85080
Richmond, VA 23285

Sending your application by express mail, Federal Express, or other overnight carriers to the NCB office street address will not speed the application process. All applications must first be processed by the bank at the P.O. Box address listed above. Therefore, sending applications to the NCB office address only slows down your application process, as your fee needs to be processed by the bank first.

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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: info@ncbtmb.com