CMTBC Online Courses

Registrants/Quality Assurance/CMTBC Online Courses

Introduction

CMTBC’s online courses provide instruction on practice standards, legislation, the Code of Ethics, and other requirements specific to RMT practice. The courses support RMTs’ ability to make decisions that align with practice standards, ethics, and other regulatory requirements. CMTBC’s online courses interpret professional requirements in the context of familiar practice scenarios and examples.

There is no required online course in 2023. Registrants may choose to complete or re-complete previous CMTBC online courses if they wish to do so to support their massage therapy practice.

For enrollment in CMTBC online courses, please send an email to [email protected] and College staff will guide you through the next steps.

Accessing the CMTBC Learning Centre and completing online courses

Please read important information about CMTBC online courses displayed on this page and contained within accordion boxes. Click on the bold text in each box below to read further information.

CMTBC Learning Centre

How to access your Learning Centre account and start the course

If you are ready to begin the course, go directly to the CMTBC Learning Centre.
Your eight-week deadline to complete a course begins when you pay for and enroll in the course and not when you login to the Learning Centre. Your username for your Learning Centre account is your RMT number in the format “RMT-00XXXX” or “RMT-0XXXXX”, where “RMT” is in upper case, “0” is a numerical zero, and “XXXX” or “XXXXX” will be replaced with your four-digit or five-digit CMTBC registration number.
If you do not remember your password, you can reset it by clicking on the “Forgot your password?” link on the Learning Centre login page.

How to navigate inside the Learning Centre

Find the “My Courses” section.
Click on course thumbnail.
Read the instructions carefully and follow the steps for successful completion of the course.

Tips for successfully completing the course

Read everything.
Check junk mail/spam folder for emails from CMTBC’s Learning Centre. ([email protected]), and from the Brightspace learning management system ([email protected] and/or [email protected]). If you’re expecting a course-related email and don’t see it in your inbox, it may be in your junk mail/spam folder. Change your settings so your devices recognize these addresses are not spam.
Click on all interactive elements. There is curriculum embedded within each interactive element. Often, one click reveals material that leads to “learn more” elements.
“Back” and “Forward” arrows are located at the top and bottom of each webpage inside the course.
Review the “Learning Objectives” at the beginning of each module. The end-of-module quiz addresses the learning objectives to ensure you’ve met them.
Take your time.
Reflect on how the content relates to your practice.
Are you meeting the requirements addressed in the course curriculum in your RMT practice? Engage in the interactive elements to reflect on your practice and your decision-making processes.
Complete the course over multiple sittings, not one or two condensed sittings. You’re responsible for absorbing the material; it’s not a hoop to jump through but an opportunity to reflect on patient care.

What device and browser should I use to complete the course?

Information below about the recommended devices and browser for online course completion reflects what CMTBC has learned from RMTs’ experience with College-authored online courses. The learning management system used by CMTBC, Brightspace, is available on electronic devices with web access; however, there are optimal ways to complete the courses. The following advice is not designed to limit your options but to optimize the learning experience and enable you to get the most out of your investment in CMTBC’s online courses.

Delivering curriculum online is a choice made by CMTBC’s Quality Assurance Committee and Board of Directors to meet RMTs’ learning needs, and to ensure RMTs understand the practice standards and other regulatory requirements. Thank you for following these recommendations to have the best possible learning environment. Click on the bold text in each box below to read further information.

Although the course is accessible on all electronic devices with browsers, the curriculum includes many images and interactive elements that need a laptop or desktop computer to function properly and are not visible on smartphones (and some tablets). The curriculum can be viewed and completed on most devices, but additional learning tools – the full learning experience supported by images and interactive elements – are only available on desktop and laptop computers.

Smartphones

Smartphones are not advised for course completion.
Not all of the curriculum content (images and interactive elements) will upload on mobile devices. The curriculum appears static and text-based on a smartphone. Please use a desktop or laptop computer.

Tablets

For tablet-only users: current tablets with the latest operating system support the Brightspace learning system, but this choice is not optimal.
Desktop or laptop computers are significantly better and provide an enriched learning environment.
Do not plan to complete the final exam (Module 6) on a tablet. Although it’s possible to do so, some prompts and information are missing/not visible on a tablet.

RMTs who do not have a desktop or laptop computer should arrange to complete the course on a computer in a public facility, a shared workspace, or elsewhere in their community.

Recommended browser: Google Chrome

Google Chrome is the best browser for using CMTBC’s learning management system, Brightspace.
In CMTBC’s experience with previous online courses, RMTs who had technical difficulties said the problems ended when they switched to Chrome. Therefore, we recommend you use Google Chrome.
Please ensure that your browser is up to date. Some webpages may not upload properly if the browser is out of date.

Apple/Mac users

If you have Safari as your default browser, it is recommended that you download and use Google Chrome for trouble-free access to complete the online course.

Operating system: Update your OS before viewing the course

Please ensure the operating system (OS) of your device is updated. If you are having trouble upgrading to the latest version, it may be that your device is relatively old and can’t be updated to the latest version of the OS. In that case, your browser will likely also be out of date. For that reason, you will not be able to update your browser. Please switch to a different device to avoid any technical errors.

Accommodations for RMTs with a disability

The Brightspace learning platform has built-in accommodations for learners with disabilities. The end-of-module quizzes and the final exam for the course have a time limit in which learners must complete the tasks.

RMTs with disabilities who require additional time are asked to contact [email protected] to ask for accommodations. CMTBC will accommodate learners with verifiable documentation of any disability recognized under BC’s Human Rights Code.

Please note that CMTBC does not provide a paper version of the online course; the course must be completed online.

2024 mandatory College-authored online course for all Practising RMTs

As part of the Practice Development Program, each year all Practising RMTs are required to complete a CMTBC-directed learning activity as a requirement for registration renewal. The required CMTBC-directed learning activity changes from year to year based on needs identified by CMTBC across the profession, including the introduction of a new Standard of Practice.

To support implementation of the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-Racism Standard of Practice, the CMTBC-directed learning activity for 2024 will be a mandatory College-authored online course on Indigenous cultural safety, humility, and anti-racism.

RMTs will be able to complete the mandatory College-authored online course at any time between January and October 2024 (a total period of 10 months). Completion of the online course will be a registration renewal requirement for 2025.

More information about the course and how to enroll will be provided before it is launched.

Documentation in Massage Therapy Practice course

This course, launched in 2022, provides information to RMTs regarding documentation requirements found in CMTBC’s Standards of Practice, Schedule ‘E’ of the Bylaws, Code of Ethics, and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

The learning objectives for this course are:

To implement CMTBC’s requirements for record-keeping and documentation into your massage therapy practice.
To understand the purpose of proper documentation, including the use of records as evidence.
To understand an RMTs responsibility for complying with privacy legislation, and the basic components and requirements of the Personal Information Protection Act(PIPA).

RMTs have eight weeks to complete the course and final exam from the day of payment. Payment of the $100 course fee occurs in the Registrant Portal.

Course Completion Certificate

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion for your records.
Follow the steps below to download your course completion certificate:
- Go to your Brightspace homepage
- Click the “Awards” link in the top bar menu
- In “My Awards”, click the “Completion Certificate” link
- Click “Generate Certificate” to download your certificate and save a copy of the certificate on your device.

The certificate of course completion is for your records only.

References and additional resources used in the Documentation in Massage Therapy Practice course

References and Resources

Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, BC Human Rights Code
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, Health Professions Act
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, Infants Act
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, Limitation Act
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, Legal Profession Act
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, BC Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, Guidance Document: Disclosure of Personal Information of Individuals in Crisis
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Guidance Document: Guide to BC’s Personal Information Protection Act
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Doctors of BC, British Columbia Medical Association, Guidance Document: BC Physician Privacy Toolkit
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia & Auditor General of British Columbia, Guidance Document: Developing a Privacy Policy under PIPA. 2019.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, & Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Alberta, Guidance Document: Obtaining Meaningful Consent
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Guidance Document: Top 15 tips on protecting your mobile device
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia: Protecting Personal Information Away from the Office
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Guidance Document: Obtaining patient consent for reports submitted to ICBC
WorkSafeBC, Information Bulletin: Cyber
Fitch, Pam. 2015. Talking Body Listening Hands. Pearson Education, Inc.
Ryerson University , Reasons for Documentation

Module 6, final exam

The final exam is based on primary resources that RMTs can refer to for guidance:

CMTBC Code of Ethics.
CMTBC Practice Environment Standard of Practice.
CMTBC Boundaries Standard of Practice.
CMTBC Consent Standard of Practice.
CMTBC Bylaws – Schedule ‘E’ – Standard for Patient Records.
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, BC Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

Code of Ethics & Practice Environment Standard of Practice course

This course, launched in 2021, provides essential information on the Code of Ethics and the CMTBC Practice Environment Standard of Practice.

CMTBC’s Code of Ethics and Practice Environment learning objectives are:

To understand the Code of Ethics and use it as a guide in making consistently professional decisions as an RMT
To ensure that your RMT practice is in compliance with the requirements outlined in the Practice Environment Standard of Practice.

RMTs have eight weeks to complete the course and final exam from the day of payment. Payment of the $100 course fee occurs in the Registrant Portal.

References and additional resources used in the Code of Ethics and Practice Environment course

The final exam is based on primary resources that RMTs can refer to for practice guidance:

CMTBC Code of Ethics
CMTBC Practice Environment Standard of Practice

While additional resources are introduced in modules 1-5 of the course, outlined below, the final exam assesses RMTs’ knowledge of the practice environment standard and the Code of Ethics.

Code of Ethics, Module 1: references and resources

CMTBC Code of Ethics
CMTBC Practice Environment Standard of Practice. 2021.
Government of British Columbia, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. (2019)
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. (2007).
Backof, Jeanne F., & Martin, Charles L. (1991). Historical Perspectives: Development of the Codes of Ethics in the Legal, Medical and Accounting Professions. Journal of Business Ethics, 10(2), 99–110.
Bjelica, A. (2017). A Short Journey Through the History of Medical Ethics. Med Pregl, LXX (3-4): 119-122.
The Cambridge World History of Medical Ethics. (2008). Cambridge University Press.
Daghestani, A. (1997). al-Razi (Rhazes), 865-925. American Journal of Psychiatry, 154(11), 1602–1602.
Declaration of Geneva.
Hajar, R. (2017). The Physician’s Oath: Historical Perspectives. Heart Views, 18(4), 154–159.
Menon, A., and Haberman, H.F. The Medical Students’ Oath of Ancient India.
Miles, S. (n.d.). Hippocratic Oath and the Ethics of Medicine [electronic resource]. Oxford University Press, USA.
Napoleon V. (2019). Did I Break It? Recording Indigenous (Customary) Law. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 22, 1-35.
Nuremberg Code
Pakaluk, M. (2005). Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press.
Rae, S. (2018). Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Medical Ethics: Past, Present, and Future.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future; Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (2015).
Tsai, D. (1999). Ancient Chinese medical ethics and the four principles of biomedical ethics. Journal of Medical Ethics, 25(4), 315–321.
Veatch, R. (n.d.). Cross cultural perspectives in medical ethics: readings / edited by Robert M. Veatch. Jones and Bartlett.
Woods, P., & Lamond, D. (2011). What Would Confucius Do? – Confucian Ethics and Self-Regulation in Management. Journal of Business Ethics, 102(4), 669–683.

Code of Ethics, Module 2: references and resources (in addition to references/resources mentioned for Module 1)

BC Ministry of Health (2020). COVID-19 Ethical Decision-Making Framework. Provincial COVID-19 Task Force, March 28, 2020.
BC Ministry of Health (2020). COVID-19 Ethics Analysis: What is the Ethical Duty of Health Care Workers to Provide Care During COVID-19 Pandemic? Provincial COVID-19 Task Force, March 28, 2020. Ethics. BC Centre for Disease Control.
CMTBC Boundaries Standard of Practice. 2018.
CMTBC Consent Standard of Practice. 2019.
“The Ethics-Based Decision Process”. Jiwani, Bashir. (2013). Ethics-based decision process: An evidence and values-based process for working through specific issues. Retrieved from Incorporating Ethics Into Daily Practice and Incorporating Ethics Into Daily Practice, online web-based exercise.
Federation of Massage Therapy Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FOMTRAC). 2016. Inter-Jurisdictional Practice Competencies and Performance Indicators for Massage Therapists at Entry-to-Practice.
Fitch, Pam. 2015. Talking Body Listening Hands. Pearson Education, Inc.
MacDonald, Michael. (2001). The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, University of British Columbia. A Framework for Ethical Decision-Making.
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, Human Rights Code
Government of British Columbia, BC Laws, Massage Therapists Regulation

Code of Ethics, Module 3: references and resources (in addition to references/resources mentioned for Modules 1-2)

BC Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights in British Columbia: What you need to know, fact sheet.
BC Human Rights Tribunal, Guide to the BC Human Rights Code and Tribunal.
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, Human Rights in BC.
College of Nurses of Ontario, Sexual Abuse Prevention. Adapted with permission.
Government of BC, BC Laws, Human Rights Code
Government of BC, Law, Crime and Justice, Human Rights
Government of Canada, Criminal Code. R.S. C., 1985, c. C-46.

Practice Environment Standard of Practice, Module 4: references and resources (in addition to references/resources mentioned for Modules 1-3)

CMTBC Practice Environment Standard of Practice. 2021.
CMTBC Interim Guidelines for Return to Practice(COVID-19). 2020. Recommended resources included in the Interim Guidelines:
BC Centre for Disease Control, Resources and guidance for health professionals
BC Centre for Disease Control, COVID-19 related guidance for health professionals
BC Centre for Disease Control, COVID-19 Cleaning and disinfecting guidance
BC Provincial Health Services Authority, Provincial Infection Control Network of BC (PICNet)

Practice Environment Standard of Practice, Module 5: references and resources (in addition to references/resources mentioned for Modules 1-4)

CivicInfoBC, websites of all BC municipalities including direction to bylaws, business services.
Government of BC, British Columbia Codes
Government of BC, Local Government Systems, Municipalities in B.C.
BC Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner publications:

Boundaries Standard of Practice & Consent Standard of Practice course

This course, launched in 2020, provides essential information on the CMTBC Boundaries Standard of Practice and Consent Standard of Practice.

CMTBC’s Boundaries and Consent online course teaches you how to maintain professional boundaries in your massage therapy practice and how to obtain informed consent from your patients.

The learning objective is to provide you with working knowledge of CMTBC’s Boundaries Standard of Practice (Modules 1-4) and the Consent Standard of Practice (Modules 5-8), so you can make consistently good clinical decisions using some of the most important “non-technical” skills of your massage therapy practice.

RMTs have eight weeks to complete the course and final exam from the day of payment. Payment of the $100 course fee occurs in the Registrant Portal.

References and additional resources for the Boundaries & Consent course

The final exam is based on primary resources that RMTs can refer to for practice guidance:

While additional resources are introduced in modules 1-7 of the course, outlined below, the final exam assesses RMTs’ knowledge of the boundaries and consent standards, and the Code of Ethics.

Boundaries Standard of Practice, Modules 1-4: references and resources

Cooper, N., Frain, A., and Frain, J., editors (2018), ABC of Clinical Professionalism, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Fitch, P., Talking body listening hands: A guide to professionalism, communication and the therapeutic relationship, (2015), Pearson Education, Inc.
Flin, R., O’Connor, P., Crichton, M. (2008) Safety at the sharp end, A guide to non-technical skills. Aldershot, England: Ashgate.
Federation of Massage Therapy Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FOMTRAC), 2016, Inter-jurisdictional practice competencies and performance indicators for massage therapists at entry-to-practice, CMTBC, CMTNB, CMTNL, CMTO.

Consent Standard of Practice, Modules 5-7: references and resources

BC Ministry of Health, July 2011, Health Care Providers’ Guide to Consent to Health Care
Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act, RSBC 1996, c 181
Personal Information Protection Act, SBC 2003