National Certification. Yes, No, Maybe?

[Texas-gal]

How do you feel about the National Certification?

Please let us know.

[rajas_squirrel]

I think that it really depends on where you live. Or at least currently. Some states require it while others require state licensing exams.

If you live in Massachusetts, it's in your best interest to take it because some of the cities and towns require it and you are required to license in each individual town vs a state licensing.

Never hurts to take it so that you can add it to your credentials.

[reikicara]

I'm going to take the exam even though my state (PA) has no regulation at all. It's a:
1)prove it to myself I can do it
2)yes, to me it does matter what people think, and I want my collegues to view me as just as capable

However, it is cr*p that you seem to do better the sooner you take it from finishing school. If someone takes it 5 years after finishing school, they may not do well, but their experience would probably be invaluable as to their skill as an MT. I am assuming that both the new graduate and the veteran therapist haven't test prepped.

As I posted on another message board, questions about what type of blood your client can receive in a transfusion if she's AB-
I don't see the place for that. It is out of are scope.

Like what would the scenario be-

Question #102 Your client gets hit by a car while walking to your office building. you happen to see her go down and you call 911 and accompany her to the hospital since she has no family nearby. Since she is bleeding internally, she needs a transfusion. Somehow once in a prior session she told you her blood type (since you don't ask it on your intake- silly, negligent you). In the ER, the nurse goes to transfuse her. You look at the bag and realize "hey- that type isn't compatible". You stop the nurse, correct her, and save your client's life. What type of the following wouldn't be compatible?

Really, now!

[IntuitiveTouch]

Originally posted by Texas-gal
How do you feel about the National Certification?

Please let us know.

I took it a few years ago, long after I had been in school. It was easy for me; I did not study, it took me only minutes to finish and I was so suprised when I completed and was handed a form that said "HIGH" in all areas because I knew that fellow Teachers had been intimidated by the thought of taking it (Intelliegent, Professional, excellent Therapists and Teachers that I respect! Intimidated by this test that was so easy for me! ??? When I saw the Teachers, I encouraged them to take it, knowing they will pass too).

I like being Nationally Certified. (Some people say "Board Certified"). I am glad that, since Therapists in the area I live in are forced to register in the same office as the "Adult Nude Entertainers", I have some Professional Credentialing saying that I meet a minimum standard of care and have current licensing, continue to take CEU's and enrich myself as a Therapist.

[reikicara]

Excellent that you did so well! Tests don't really intimidate me, but I know that some people are paralyzed by them.

[bluebelle945]

I agree with reikicara, I live in Michigan where we don't have to have a license. I took the certification because I feel it gives me a step up from all the competion. Anyone can be a massage therapist here even without going to school for it. It lets my clients know that I am serious about what I do. I took it a 1 1/2yr after I graduated. The only thing I had to study for was the chinese medicine, my school touched on it a little. From what I understand a lot of people don't pass just because of those particular questions, everything else was common sense. I passed it the first time, reviewing the chinese medicine helped.
I don't understand why so many people out there are against it.
They are updating it now, seperating the massage and bodywork areas of the exam, I think. If someone as a problem passing it, I don't really want them working on me anyway. I know that probably sounds harsh but if I have certain medical condition I want someone that knows what they are doing and that gives me a piece of mind that they paid attention in school and have a certification to prove it.
Everyone have a great and safe holloween.:)

[reikicara]

doing practice tests, I feel that you really have to know your prefixes, etc. IE- neph-, gyn-, ob-, urolog-
I love the gal who was my instructor and I think she offered more than the other school nearby could offer, but if I were the instructor, I would have done somethings differently.

The latest school I just did 200hrs A/P and Pathology at-
is so very very pro-Natl Cert. If that is the case, I think they should have the graduates so prepared that they don't need to sweat the exam. We got a little review, but not much.

I did all of the curriculum in the 600hr program except for the intro massage and the clinic so I feel I can speak with accuracy.

Sorry to rant- it's just when I pay $2600 for a 200hr class... I want my $$$ worth. I could have done 125 or so hours for about $1600 at another nearby school.

love you folks for listening...

Cara

[Bobbi]

Personally, I live in a state that doesn't require any kind of certification. That means I could put a sign in the window right now & start right in doing massages for money if I wanted to. I plan to take the National Certification because I feel that will put me a step up from those "massage therapists" without that certification. I'm still in school right now, so it will be awhile before I'm ready to take that test, but it will definitely be one I will be taking! Besides, that way, I can pretty much go where ever I want to with my skill and share my talents (thus turning a vacation into a write-off if I want to!)

[Mimi]

Originally posted by Texas-gal
How do you feel about the National Certification?

Please let us know.
I think it should be necessary. It will help those who move around a lot, such as military wives who would like to keep their massage career going.

But then there are also the prostitutes who are smart and get nationally certified and easily get permits and practice on the down-low. They make it harder for us... :mad:

[blowfish]

Is the NCBTMB a thing of the PAST?

All good things must end some day, or so the song goes. Is the NCBTMB on its way out?

The shocking and sudden announcement of former Executive Director, John Page’s, firing by the NCBTMB is being followed by more rumors of election scrabbles and irregularities at the troubled certification agency. Cliff Korn in Massage Today (November 2006) reports that “On Aug. 29, I received an e-mail communication from John (Page) that stated, in part, “Effective immediately I am no longer responsible for any actions of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc.” A strange way to announce his departure. (By the way, John was a good guy, and you will miss him…) But it sounds more like a hostile divorce where John is announcing that he is no longer responsible for his ex’s bills. I wonder who will get custody of the kids?

The NCBTMB website is carrying an urgent flash message about complaints that not all eligible “certificants” have received their ballots, now that is a page right out of the political parties rule book. Ya can’t vote without a ballot! Oooops! Remember those past stories of NCBTMB board members who don’t play well together? Well, that might be happening again, but you didn’t hear it from me, nope, not gonna say nuthin about that…

Meanwhile looming on the not so distant horizon is the possibility that the FSMTB (The Federation) is looking at a possible test release of their new exam in mid to late 2007! Talk about charting unknown territory and exploring new frontiers, it sounds like “The Federation” intends to blast off and to “Phaser” out the NCBTMB! Beam me up Scotty!

[bndom]

I got certified sept.5th last year,and although it feels really good to have I almost feel like whats the point when all these little towns in Jersey want you to get certified for each separate town,I hope thats just some wrong info I got.I'm moving to vegas in two weeks and It looks like they want you to get a license to practice in vegas,but I got to double check.

[Mimi]

Originally posted by blowfish
Is the NCBTMB a thing of the PAST?

All good things must end some day, or so the song goes. Is the NCBTMB on its way out?

The shocking and sudden announcement of former Executive Director, John Page’s, firing by the NCBTMB is being followed by more rumors of election scrabbles and irregularities at the troubled certification agency. Cliff Korn in Massage Today (November 2006) reports that “On Aug. 29, I received an e-mail communication from John (Page) that stated, in part, “Effective immediately I am no longer responsible for any actions of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc.” A strange way to announce his departure. (By the way, John was a good guy, and you will miss him…) But it sounds more like a hostile divorce where John is announcing that he is no longer responsible for his ex’s bills. I wonder who will get custody of the kids?

The NCBTMB website is carrying an urgent flash message about complaints that not all eligible “certificants” have received their ballots, now that is a page right out of the political parties rule book. Ya can’t vote without a ballot! Oooops! Remember those past stories of NCBTMB board members who don’t play well together? Well, that might be happening again, but you didn’t hear it from me, nope, not gonna say nuthin about that…

Meanwhile looming on the not so distant horizon is the possibility that the FSMTB (The Federation) is looking at a possible test release of their new exam in mid to late 2007! Talk about charting unknown territory and exploring new frontiers, it sounds like “The Federation” intends to blast off and to “Phaser” out the NCBTMB! Beam me up Scotty! Congratulations, Dominique. :)

[bluebelle945]

Just my input but I do not feel the test is on its way out. So many states accept it for licensing, I cannot imagine it not being thrown aside.