Initiated by the American Massage Therapy Association in 1992, the National Certification Exam has become the standard for licensure used by most of the 33 states that regulate massage, to measure a competent and qualified practitioner. More than 60,000 massage therapists now have National Certification.

National Certification of Massage Therapist is really a misnomer. Becoming nationally certified does not mean that you can practice in any state as one might think. The NCE is also not a very acurate measure of a massage therapists skills. It is just being used because there is nothing better at this time. The Federation of Massage Therapy Boards is now attempting to remedy this situation.

National Certification does not eliminate prostitiution or bad massage therapists. The NCE has created a false sense of security by saying that massage therapists will be better qualified if they can pass the exam. The questions on the exam include what color the chakras are, chinese meridian theory and other irrelevant subject matters. A basic massage theory exam and a requirement of participating in peer supervision groups offers a better measure of a competent therapist.

Licensing and Legislation issues in the massage profession