Cycle 13 Criteria for Approval of Continuing Education Activities

Registrants/Quality Assurance/Cycle 13 Criteria for Approval of Continuing Education Activities

Definitions

CE: continuing education

CECs: continuing education credits

Cycle 13 runs from November 1, 2020 to October 31, 2022. It is the 13^th continuing education cycle since CMTBC introduced two-year reporting cycles, outlined in the College Bylaws, Section 63.2.

Evidence: a body of substantiated information derived from credible sources and a systematic process of assessing numerical and narrative data. This is a working definition based on work CMTBC has undertaken with the Career Span Competence Collaborative. While the definition may change over time, it is in effect for the duration of Cycle 13 and will be applied without exception to applications for approval of CE activities in Cycle 13.

Evidence Informed Practice (EIP) is an approach to professional practice that integrates the best available research, practice context including RMTs’ scope of practice defined by BC’s Massage Therapists Regulation, patients’ perspectives, and the clinician’s own professional knowledge and skill. EIP requires clinicians to critically assess all information sources, to focus on facts and observations rather than opinions and traditions, and to be responsive to new knowledge.

Categories of CECs

There are two categories of CECs in Cycle 13:

Evidence Informed Practice (EIP) – Criteria for approval of EIP CE activities are listed on this page.
General, which includes CE activities previously approved in Cycle 12 – Criterial for approval of CE activities in this category are listed on the Cycle 12 Criteria for Approval of Continuing Education Activities page.

Criteria for Approval: Evidence Informed Practice (EIP)

CECs are awarded for EIP CE activities that meet all these criteria for approval:

Click on the bold text in each accordion box below to read important information about criteria for approval.

1. Educational content is directly applicable to RMTs’ clinical practice

Within RMTs’ scope of practice defined by BC’s Massage Therapists Regulation.
Addresses assessment, treatment and prevention, and/or therapeutic exercise as practiced by CMTBC registrants, consistent with scope of practice.
Consistent with CMTBC standards of practice, Code of Ethics, Bylaws and other regulatory requirements.
Application for approval includes a statement of learning objectives and their application to RMT practice.

2. Informed by best available research

Cites research that directly informs the content of the CE activity.
Illustrates how the supporting research advances RMTs’ knowledge or skill development in the context of clinical practice.
Minimum of three research articles/publications, demonstrating the research basis for the activity, submitted with the application for approval.
Description of research includes statement of limitations of the research, potential bias of researchers, and areas of ongoing inquiry in the field.
Research selected in support of the application was published within the past 10 years in a reputable
- academic journal (include full text PDF copies of articles with application),
- book (include ISBN and searchable, accurate reference with application), or
- listing of conference proceedings (provide copy of conference proceedings with application).

3. Based on an established scientific theory or framework

Supporting research demonstrates the biological and theoretical plausibility of the educational content and its clinical application.
Description of the activity’s supporting research identifies and describes the theory and/or conceptual framework upon which the educational content is based.
If the theory is new or otherwise not widely accepted, at minimum, one of the supporting research articles/publications provided (full text PDF) must support the theory or framework.

4. Instructor or presenter has appropriate expertise to instruct RMTs in the context of a regulated health profession

Credentials include full name and credentials of the primary instructor.
Include credentials of teaching assistants if applicable.
Credentials include full Curriculum Vitae – a brief biography or web reference is not acceptable.

5. Instructor or presenter is affiliated with a credible organization/s

Name the organization/s with which the instructor or presenter is affiliated.
For each organization, identify the type of organization (e.g., educational institution, research institution, professional association) and the presenter’s role in the organization (e.g., professor, member, lecturer, associate).

6. Application is coherent and complete at the time of submission

CMTBC is unable to serve as a repository of elements for an application that are not submitted at one time; incomplete applications will be returned without assessment.
CMTBC recommends that applicants use the checklist that will be provided on the Cycle 13 – Apply for Approval of Continuing Education Activities page that will be posted.

7. Format/s of learning activity is clearly indicated, with learning objectives and assessment appropriate to the format

Assessment tools, including quizzes, exam, practical demonstration, or other style of assessment, demonstrate that the participant has met the stated learning objectives.
Format can be in-person delivery, webinar (real-time/streaming), online, or a university course (learner must be enrolled in degree-granting program at the university); assessment tools must be appropriate to the format.
Conference attendance: it must be demonstrated that the learner attends the activity and actively engages (for example, conference sign-in or tagging protocols).
CMTBC assessors are given full access to assessment tools to confirm that learning outcomes are assessed, and that completion certificate demonstrates successful uptake of educational content.
Formats that do not qualify for CECs in Cycle 13, EIP category:
- Study group
- Discussion
- Passive learning activities: e.g., reading a book and viewing a video
- Selfcare for the therapist
- Teaching in a massage therapy education program
- Instructing approved continuing education courses.

Criteria for Approval: Evidence Informed Practice (EIP) – University Course Pre-Approval

RMTs enrolled in a degree program at a university qualify for 10 EIP CECs for completion of a standard three-credit university course that starts and ends in the time-frame of Cycle 13. A university course must meet the following criteria:

RMTs qualify for pre-approval by submitting documentation that confirms:
- enrollment in a university degree program
- the proposed course starts and ends between November 1, 2020 and October 31, 2022.
Registrants may pursue academic studies in a field of their choosing but it should support clinical practice.
Anticipated learning outcomes include an enhanced understanding of research methods, critical thinking, and the role of evidence and peer review in academic studies.
CMTBC recognizes universities as degree-granting institutions, up to and including doctoral degrees. Colleges that issue diplomas are not included in this category of CECs. In those instances where a college provides a university course and/or has degree-granting ability, the RMT shall submit clear documentation to [email protected] . Alternate forms of post-secondary institutions that are not universities will not be considered in this category.
Both online/distance and in-person university courses qualify for credits in this category.
RMTs who complete a university course in languages other than English in countries outside of North America are responsible for obtaining government-certified translation of their documentation if they wish to be considered for CECs in this category.

Please note: If you plan to complete a university course in a degree program for which you are enrolled and wish to receive CECs, you must submit the Cycle 13 application form for pre-approval of university courses.

If your university course receives pre-approval, retain the decision letter sent you. Upon successful completion of the course (equivalent to “C” grade or higher), claim your CECs by uploading your decision letter together with your transcript into the Registrant Portal .

Apply for approval of Cycle 13 continuing education activities, EIP

See Cycle 13 – Apply for Approval of Continuing Education Activities for application forms and information on applying for approval of continuing education activities not on the Cycle 13 – Approved Continuing Education Activities list. September 6, 2022 is the last date applications for approval will be accepted for inclusion in Cycle 13.

Disclaimer

While CMTBC provides CECs for activities that meet the criteria for approval, the College cannot attest to the quality of the activities or of the instructors. Approval reflects confirmation that an activity meets published criteria for approval. It is always the individual registrant’s responsibility to select what is of value and will be transferred to his/her practice, within standards set by CMTBC.