Complaints about the conduct or competence of an RMT may be submitted online using the secure Complaint Form.
Anyone with a concern about the conduct or competence of an RMT may submit a complaint to CMTBC.
Complaints about an RMT must be made in writing to CMTBC. Complaints may be submitted online using the secure Complaint Form, or by sending a letter, email, or fax to:
Director, Inquiry and Discipline
College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia
#560–1285 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8
Canada
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 604.736.6500
You must provide your full name when submitting a complaint. The College is not able to accept anonymous complaints or complaints made by phone.
There is no time limit on submitting a complaint.
CMTBC will only investigate complaints that fall within its statutory mandate. The College’s primary purpose is to protect the public from harm. In order for a complaint to be accepted for investigation, it must relate to unprofessional conduct or incompetent practice by an RMT. Such conduct may include sexual misconduct or unethical conduct.
CMTBC is not able to address claims for financial compensation or business disputes between registrants.
The CMTBC Inquiry Committee investigates complaints that have not been resolved by the Registrar. The Inquiry Committee is created under the Health Professions Act (HPA) and is made up of RMTs and public representatives.
The nature of the Inquiry Committee’s investigation will depend on the complaint. Generally, an investigator will interview the registered massage therapist, the complainant, and any relevant witnesses. The investigator may also ask for additional information or documents from the complainant. Typically, the investigator will obtain patient records from the RMT.
A copy of your complaint will be provided to the RMT. Information that you provide to the College in connection with your complaint, including correspondence and documents, and notes made by College staff about telephone calls that you make to the College, may be disclosed to the RMT. Information provided by you may also be disclosed to other witnesses, where this is considered necessary for the investigation of your complaint.
During an investigation of a complaint, or pending a discipline hearing, the Inquiry Committee may take “extraordinary action” under section 35 of the HPA and:
Extraordinary action is taken only when it is considered necessary in order to protect the public before the matter can be fully investigated and resolved.
An extraordinary action does not resolve the complaint. The investigation continues with the limits, conditions, or suspension in place.
The Inquiry Committee has four options for disposing of (resolving) complaints:
If the Inquiry Committee disposes of your complaint but does not direct a discipline hearing, it will provide you with notice of its decision and a written explanation. You may then apply to the Health Professions Review Board for a review of a complaint outcome. If a discipline hearing is directed, you will also be notified, but may not apply for a review.
Citations for discipline hearings are typically issued for serious matters in which efforts by CMTBC to obtain a consensual resolution have not succeeded.
Discipline hearings are formal adjudicative processes before Discipline Committee panels, which consist of RMTs and public representatives.
Visitors may attend discipline hearings. Read the Discipline Hearing Visitor Guidelines (PDF).
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