Applicants From Recognized Education Programs

Applicants/Applicants From Recognized Education Programs

What is a recognized education program?

Massage therapy education programs recognized by CMTBC are named in Schedule “A” of the CMTBC Bylaws. These are programs that meet entry-to-practice standards for the massage therapy profession in BC, and have been accredited either by CMTBC directly, or by the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA) at the three or five-year level.

Graduates of recognized massage therapy education programs are eligible to take the registration examination to become RMTs in BC. See Registration Examination for full details of the exams.

Eight steps to becoming an RMT in BC

Step 1: Apply to take the registration examination

Graduates of recognized massage therapy education programs can apply in the Applicant Portal to take the registration examination.

New applicants should create an account, log in to the portal, and follow the steps outlined in the portal.

Already have an account?
All existing applicants who created an account on the old CMTBC Portal must activate their account on CMTBC’s new portal. To activate your account, go to the Applicant Portal and click “Apply now!” Follow the prompts to access material you previously submitted.

Step 2: Upload documents

Applicants must upload the following documents to CMTBC before they can take the registration examination:

Graduation Diploma

Upload a copy of your graduation diploma from a recognized massage therapy education program via the Applicant Portal.

Passport Quality Photo

Upload a passport quality photo via the Applicant Portal.

Step 3: Pay examination fee

The examination fee is $1,600.

Pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Amex) in the Applicant Portal; cheque mailed to CMTBC; or cheque paid in-person at the CMTBC office.

Step 4: Take the registration examination

The registration examination is held twice a year, winter and late summer.

See Exam Components for information about the registration examination.

See Exam Dates & Locations for dates/times/locations of the next registration examination, and the application deadline.

Step 5: Receive notification of examination results

Applicants receive official notification of results approximately six weeks after the final component of the examination is complete. You are asked to not phone the College requesting exam results. Results will not be given over the phone.

Step 6: Complete documentation for registration

After successful completion of all components of the registration examination, applicants must provide the following documents to complete registration:

Letters of reference

You must arrange for three character references. Character references must be from individuals who have known you for at least two years, and who are not family members, classmates, or friends.

Log in to the Applicant Portal and provide the required information for your referees, including an email address for each. Referees will then be emailed a link that allows them to provide a confidential reference in a secure area on the portal.

Proof of entitlement to work in Canada

Upload a copy of one of the following in the Applicant Portal:

Proof of Canadian Citizenship, such as: Canadian Passport (photo and signature page); Canadian Citizenship certificate or card (front and back); or Birth certificate from a Canadian province
Government-issued work permit or work visa
Permanent resident card (front and back)

First aid certificate

Upload a copy of your current first aid certificate in the Applicant Portal. See the Standard First Aid & CPR-C page for more information on CMTBC’s first aid and CPR-C requirements. You must have current certification in Standard First Aid/CPR-C from one of the five national providers named in CMTBC’s Bylaws:

Canadian Red Cross
Canadian Ski Patrol
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Lifesaving Society
St. John Ambulance

Proof of liability insurance

Upload the pages of your liability insurance policy that show the amount of coverage and the dates for which you are covered. Ensure your name is on the pages you upload.

Step 7: Consent to a Criminal Record Check

Under Part 4 of the Criminal Records Review Act, all Registered Massage Therapists must complete a criminal record check when they first become registered with the College and every five years thereafter.

Fill out the Consent to Criminal Record Check(s) form in the Applicant Portal, download the form that requires a signature, and upload the signed form. CMTBC will then communicate the required information to the Criminal Records Review Program to ensure that your check is carried out. Once you have provided CMTBC with your signed consent form, all future checks will be conducted automatically.

Step 8: Pay registration fee and annual dues

The following fees are payable:

Application for registration fee: $150
Annual registration fee: $675*

*The fee amount charged for initial registration is pro-rated on a monthly basis according to the number of full months remaining in the calendar year in which registration occurs.

Pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Amex) in the Applicant Portal; cheque mailed to CMTBC; or cheque paid in person at the CMTBC office.

If you have any questions regarding the above, please email [email protected] or call 604-736-3404 ext. 102 (toll free in North America at 1-877-321-3404 ext. 102).