From the Chair
Garnet Adair, NCTMB

Each spring the torch of leadership is passed on the NCBTMB board. As I step down from my position as chair and pass the gavel of leadership to Judy Dean, I look forward to seeing the fruition of the many exciting developments that took place during my term as chair.
    This also is a time to reflect on the past. NCBTMB's executive director, Christine D. Niero, PhD, recently announced her resignation. Christine has helped NCBTMB grow from a small certification program to an integrated strategically driven and focused organization, with state-of-the-art programs all serving to meet the many and diverse needs of you – our stakeholders.
    She has also been a driving force behind maintaining NCCA accreditation, transitioning NCBTMB to the Chauncey Group International for testing services and increasing the number of certified practitioners to almost 78,000.
    With the acceptance of Christine's resignation, NCBTMB will select a new executive director to serve as her successor to facilitate a seamless transition.
    As Judy begins her term as chair this May and NCBTMB brings on a new executive director, we will continue to build on the foundation created by the organization's past leadership and staff.
    As this issue of Infoline demonstrates, NCBTMB is continuing its work to keep schools informed and to provide them with the tools needed to ensure a bright future for their students. Throughout these leadership and staff transitions, NCBTMB's key purposes and strategic direction remain the same and our programs continue. Although we look back on the past to see the many goals that have been accomplished, we also are looking to the future and the many opportunities that lie ahead.

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NCBTMB Spreads the Word
NCBTMB goes on the road to stay connected with stakeholders

From Georgia to Michigan, NCBTMB is hosting outreach events in various states across the country. These events are part of the NCBTMB school outreach program's continual effort to stay connected with you – its stakeholder schools.
Designed as another way to strengthen communications between NCBTMB and massage and bodywork schools, these events come as a result of the 2003 school outreach survey, revealing that schools are seeking more information on programs and services within NCBTMB.
    Schools in the states visited are sent a formal invitation to attend the presentations hosted by Susan Scoboria, NCTMB, NCBTMB school outreach coordinator, and Sally Hacking, NCBTMB government relations consultant.
Topics to be covered and discussed during the meetings include the current status of massage and bodywork regulation and legislation in the visited state, the development of the NCE, NCBTMB's application process and the content outline and eligibility criteria for the new entry-level massage-only credential.
    The success of outreach events in Georgia and Michigan has led to others being scheduled in Somerset, New Jersey on April 24 and in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 29. Upcoming presentations also are tentatively being arranged in California, Washington, Tennessee and Colorado.
    "Our goal is to do our best in educating schools on NCBTMB and its programs," said Scoboria. "By creating an open forum between NCBTMB and its stakeholders, these outreach events will provide us with valuable feedback to take back to the board of directors."
    NCBTMB will continue its effort to maintain open lines of communication with schools by developing new and innovative approaches to the school outreach. Stay tuned for updates on the school outreach program's efforts in upcoming issues of Infoline.

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New Credential Update

Have you heard the buzz? NCBTMB is gearing up to offer a new massage-only credential – the National Certification in Therapeutic Massage (NCTM).
    This entry-level credential will provide your students with the option to choose between this new massage-only credential or the current combined massage and bodywork credential (National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork– NCTMB).

NCTM Fast Facts

Credential – National Certification in Therapeutic Massage (NCTM)

Specifics – Massage-only, entry-level

Examination – National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM)

Eligibility Criteria – To be considered eligible to take the NCETM, a candidate must have:
a. A minimum of 500 hours of in-class, supervised instruction, broken down as follows:

1. 125 hours of in-class, supervised instruction in the body's systems and anatomy, physiology and kinesiology
2. 200 hours of in-class, supervised instruction in massage and bodywork assessment, theory and application
3. 40 hours of in-class, supervised instruction in pathology
4. 10 hours of in-class instruction in business and ethics (a minimum of 6 hours in ethics)
5. 125 hours of additional in-class, supervised instruction in an area or related field that theoretically completes your massage program of study.

b. Graduated from a school that is approved to provide massage therapy and/or bodywork training in the state in which it is located.

Content Outline – Based on the results of NCBTMB's recent job analysis, the NCETM will contain the content areas and percentage weights outlined in the adjacent chart. (More information about the content outline for the NCETM can be found on www.ncbtmb.com)

Expected Test Launch Date – Late 2004/Early 2005

NCBTMB will continue to update schools on its progress toward launching the new NCTM credential. Stay tuned to Infoline and www.ncbtmb.com for the latest information.

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Are Your Students Following the Steps?
Applying for the National Certification Examination (NCE) has never been easier. Help your students by following a four-step process to increase the ease of exam registration.

Step One
Provide students with the following:

• A notarized copy of their diploma.
• A statement on school letterhead verifying the ethics hours in your program unless stated on the transcript.
• A sealed envelope with the "Official Transcript" in it sent directly to NCBTMB by the school.

Step Two
Have students complete the National Certification Application Packet in hard copy or online. The application can be found within the NCE Candidate Handbook, available online or in print (see article on page 4 to learn how to order the handbook). Online applications are preferred and can reduce registration time by nearly a week.
Have students include the following in their application packet:

• Fee of $225 (Money Order, Visa/MC, personal or cashier's check)
• The completed, signed and dated National Certification Application Form
• All items listed in Step One

Have students mail this packet to:
NCBTMB
Dept. #4331
PO Box 85080
Richmond, VA 23285-4331
(We recommend that students mail these items "Certified, Return Receipt" and keep a hard copy for their records)

Step Three
Within one to three weeks, the applicant will receive a letter of eligibility from The Chauncey Group, the testing company contracted by the National Certification Board to administer the National Certification Examination.

Students will then need to:

1. Review the instructions in the Candidate Handbook regarding taking the exam and what items to bring on exam day. (see page 11 of handbook)
2. Call the phone number listed for the selected testing site and set up an exam date AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (the test must be taken within 90 days of the date the letter of eligibility).
3. Bring two forms of ID on the test date, one MUST have a recent photo issued by the government. (see page 11 of the handbook).

Step Four
Step Four is only applicable if the applicant's score must be sent to a state regulatory agency to document successful completion of the National Certification Examination for purposes of registration or licensure. (Note - this step does not apply if being sent to FL, MD, NM or WA. Studensts in these states will have to check item 19 on the application form).
    Have students fill out the Score Report Request Form (found in the Candidate Handbook). This form requests that the Chauncey Group send an Official Score Report to this agency. Fill out the necessary information and return with the $10.00 fee (money order or certified check only) to:

The Chauncey Group International
c/o The NCBTMB Customer Service
664 Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

Complete this step as soon as possible after passing the NCE to ensure a quick and complete application process for any state required credential.
    For information and flyers about this four-step registration process, please consult the Classroom in a Box packet.

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Tools for Schools – NCBTMB’s Classroom in a Box
Hang your posters, watch your videos and start talking to your students about National Certification!
With the first installment (Folder 1) of the NCBTMB Classroom in a Box now in your hands, you should have the tools you need to initiate a dialogue with students about credentials and preparing for National Certification.
While the box may have extra room now, NCBTMB will be developing additional materials in the near future and more folders will follow to help you continue the dialogue on National Certification with students. Use the box to store all your materials on National Certification or for quick reference as needed.

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Candidate Handbook FAQ

The NCBTMB Candidate Handbook is a must-have for any of your students applying for National Certification or interested in learning more about certification requirements and procedures. The following are a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the handbook.

How can I order copies of the NCBTMB Candidate Handbook?
There are two ways to order the handbook:

1. Online – Visit NCBTMB's home page at www.ncbtmb.com and click on the link "Order Free Candidate Handbooks Online."
2. Via Phone – Call 888-802-6600, NCBTMB's Candidate Handbook request line.

Either way you choose to order the handbook, it will be shipped to you in 7-10 days. Both of these options also allow you to request multiple copies of the handbook.
The handbook may also be downloaded in PDF format online at www.ncbtmb.com under the "Applicant's Corner" link.

Is there a fee to request a handbook?
No, the Candidate Handbook is free.

What content is in the Candidate Handbook?
The handbook contains an overview of the National Certification program, information about eligibility and the exam procedure, the application for National Certification, exam preparatory materials and the NCBTMB's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Why is the handbook dated?
The date on the Candidate Handbook refers to the date when the last update was made. New handbooks are printed whenever major edits are made, and typically this is done once a year. The most current handbook is dated April 2004.

How will the recent job analysis affect the Candidate Handbook?
The handbook will be revised this year based on the results of the job analysis to reflect the updated eligibility requirements and content outline of the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCE). It is expected that this new handbook will be available in summer 2004.

Can I use the Candidate Handbook if I am applying for the Portfolio Review option?
Candidates applying for the NCE through the portfolio review process should consult the Portfolio Review Handbook, which can be ordered online or through the same toll free number above, or viewed online.

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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