This is a timeline of events created from the Documents in the Archives: History of National Certification
Early Origins & The Membership Entrance Exam
1949–1950s: The concept of a national examination for massage practitioners is first promoted by members of the American Association of Masseurs and Masseuses (AAMM, later renamed AMTA). The idea progressed in the 1950s but didn’t gain traction until the mid-1980s when the AMTA and the profession of massage therapy saw a period of rapid growth. (National Certification Newsletter, Spring 1991)
1954 – Registered Masseuse/Masseur program created with AAMM.
1958: AAMM mandates that members must graduate from an AAMM-approved school, pass a final examination, pay state fees, and be sponsored by an active member.
1964 – Exam component added to AA&MM for RMT program.
Early 1970s: Active AMTA membership is briefly restricted strictly to graduates of AMTA-approved schools.
1983: M. Hungerford, AMTA National Education Director, creates the Membership Entrance Exam (MEE) (archive.org) to allow practitioners from non-approved schools (which numbered only 15 nationwide at the time) to test into AMTA membership. The MEE is not psychometrically validated and includes a subjective practical hands-on component.
Authorization
1988: The AMTA Board of Directors officially authorizes and funds the National Certification Program for Massage Therapists with an initial $150,000 loan.
January 1989: Elliot Greene is named Project Manager/Director of the National Certification Program.
1988: The NCBTMB’s original mission statement was: “To foster high standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of services through a recognized credible credentialing program that assures the competency of practitioners of therapeutic massage and bodywork”.
April 1989: A group of 60 massage therapists submits a joint initiative asking AMTA to halt the certification initiative until a formal needs assessment is conducted; AMTA rejects the initiative.
November 1989: The AMTA Board appoints the 9-member National Certification Steering Committee (chaired by Elliot Greene) to guide development and select a psychometric testing company.
December 1989: A Steering Committee was appointed for the National Certification Program for Massage Therapists by the AMTA National Board of Directors. Over 2,000 “Update” report cards, representing a 23% response, were returned by December 5, 1989, regarding interest in certification. . AMTA Hands On. Winter 1989
First Issue of Certification Corner Newsletter
“National certification will be an effective means of upgrading our professional status and standards. With national certification we will be taking a vital step in protecting our freedom to practice and having control over our future. Perhaps another great contribution we can make to our society is to show how we can demonstrate our abilities, yet remain true to our heritage and retain our caring values. National certification is healthy for everyone. “AMTA Hands On Fall 1989“
Job Task Analysis/Steering Committee
January 1990: AMTA votes to replace the word “certified” on membership cards with “this is to verify that [Name] is an active member”.
Jan/Feb 1990: An advertorial entitled “Certification, Professional Development and Your Freedom to Practice Massage” appeared in the January/February issue of Massage magazine
March 2–3, 1990: The Steering Committee meets in Chicago and hires testing firm Knapp & Associates to conduct a national job task analysis.
May 4-6, 1990: The first meeting of the Certification Program’s Job Analysis Advisory Committee was held. The committee was composed of nine members from various professional backgrounds. The Job Analysis Advisory Committee is composed of the nine members of the Steering Committee and three additional persons to expand expertise and further broaden representation. These three individuals are: Jeffrey Maitland, Ph.D., (Scottsdale, AZ), Faculty Chair of the Rolf Institute and a practicing Rolfer; Mary Grassel, B.S., (West Allis, WI), a state officer of the International Myomassethics Federation(IMF) and a massage therapist who utilizes deep tissue work in her private practice; and Nandi Dubitsky, (Melbourne, FL), Chair of the Education Committee of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA) and a member of the American Oriental Bodywork Therapy Association (AOBTA). Hands On Summer 1990
August–September 1990: Knapp & Associates mails a national Job Analysis Survey to 6,930 practitioners, yielding 2,859 responses (41% return rate). Knapp & Associates publishes ““A National Study of the Profession of Massage Therapy/Bodywork”establishing the 10 core knowledge domains for the national exam
September 1990: The Council Meeting and Item Review were scheduled, where the Certification Council would finalize plans for eligibility requirements, develop bylaws, and review the Job Analysis.
October 10–14, 1990: In Orlando, FL, the Steering Committee officially evolves into the National Certification Council (NCC). Elliot Greene steps down as Chair and is succeeded by George Kousaleos.
November 1990: The Steering Committee was selected to oversee the first phases of development of the project, with members chosen for their experience and knowledge in professional credentialing, and for committee balance in terms of various approaches to massage therapy/bodywork, geographic location, gender, and other factors. The Steering Committee also met twice in May and October 1990 to complete the job analysis and discuss issues related to National Certification Program.
Public Liaison Hearings, First Exam, and Incorporation (1991–1995)
February 1, 1991: The Council holds its first public Liaison Hearing in San Diego, inviting representatives from over a dozen massage and bodywork organizations to debate test construction, grandfathering, and sitting requirements.
Spring 1991: The Council releases the 1st edition of the National Certification Newsletter, formally defending its written multiple-choice format and NCCA administrative independence standards.
January 25, 1992: Psychological Corporation conducts pilot field tests in five cities with 50 volunteer practitioners.
June 27, 1992: The first National Certification Examination (NCETMB) is administered nationwide (150 multiple-choice questions; $165 exam fee).
Fall 1992: The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) is officially formed as an administratively independent affiliate of AMTA, chaired by George Kousaleos.
April 1993: The NCBTMB was working toward NCCA approval. By this time, 2,098 certification exams had been administered, with 94% passing.
May 1993: AMTA considers phasing out its legacy Membership Entrance Exam (MEE) to avoid duplicating the National Certification Exam.
They sent a survey to 120 members in New Hampshire and 18 people responded. (From May 1993 Action Item: Examination of the AMTA Membership Entrance Exam submitted by: Kate Jeffery).
November 1994: The NCBTMB officially incorporates completely separately from AMTA.
1995: The initial grandfathering pathway closes. Candidates are now required to complete 500 hours of formal training (structured in five 100-hour modular blocks) to sit for the exam.
Mandatory State Licensing Adoption & Expansion
End of 1996: NCBTMB fully repays its initial $150,000 startup loan back to AMTA.
August 1999: Representatives from state massage regulatory boards meet to form the National Alliance of State Massage Therapy Boards (NASMTB).
October 23, 2000: NCBTMB publishes its formal Standards of Practice and Consumer Bill of Rights. Massage Today on archive.org
November 2000 / March 2001: Federal GI Bill legislation passes allowing U.S. military veterans to receive up to $2,000 in VA reimbursement for NCETMB testing fees.
April 2001 – Massage Today April, 2001, Volume 01, Issue 04. “A group of representatives from various state massage regulatory agencies met in August 1999 to join forces in establishing the National Alliance of State Massage Therapy Boards (NASMTB).” Massage Today on Archive.org
February 2001: The NCBTMB underwent its first major review of its Strategic Plan since its implementation in 1999, resulting in significant changes to prioritize strategies and enhance competency levels of massage therapists and bodyworkers. (Massage Today on archive.org)
May 18, 2002: Whitney Lowe succeeds Susan Scoboria as Chair of the NCBTMB Board of Directors.
September 2002-January 2003: The NCBTMB conducted a job-analysis survey to assess the importance of certain job-related tasks, knowledge areas, and skill sets for competent practice, sending surveys to 2,335 nationally certified practitioners.
February 2003: NCBTMB launches its Approved Provider Program for continuing education.
1996–2004 Mandatory State Licensing Adoption & Expansion
End of 1996: NCBTMB fully repays its initial $150,000 startup loan back to AMTA.
August 1999: Representatives from state massage regulatory boards meet to form the National Alliance of State Massage Therapy Boards (NASMTB).
In 2000, a feasibility study for an advanced credential was undertaken. This further reinforced the idea, noting the need for a body of knowledge in order to proceed. (Study on archive.org)
October 23, 2000: NCBTMB publishes its formal Standards of Practice and Consumer Bill of Rights.
November 2000 / March 2001: Federal GI Bill legislation passes allowing U.S. military veterans to receive up to $2,000 in VA reimbursement for NCETMB testing fees.
February 2001: The NCBTMB underwent its first major review of its Strategic Plan since its implementation in 1999, resulting in significant changes to prioritize strategies and enhance competency levels of massage therapists and bodyworkers.
March 1, 2001: Reimbursement for licensing and certification tests became available to veterans.
May 18, 2002: Whitney Lowe succeeds Susan Scoboria as Chair of the NCBTMB Board of Directors.
September 2002-January 2003: The NCBTMB conducted a job-analysis survey to assess the importance of certain job-related tasks, knowledge areas, and skill sets for competent practice, sending surveys to 2,335 nationally certified practitioners.
February 2003: The NCBTMB unveiled a continuing education approved provider program to work with its recertification requirements, offering 10 options for fulfilling continuing education, including 48 CE credits (minimum), 200 hours of hands-on work, and 6 hours of ethics every four years.
April 2003: The NCBTMB named new credentials: National Certification in Therapeutic Massage (NCTM) for entry-level massage-only competence, and National Certification in Therapeutic Massage – Advanced (NCTM-A) for advanced education and core competencies, while maintaining the combined National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB).
September 2004 / June 2005: Based on a 2002–2003 job analysis,
the NCBTMB changed the composition of education hours required for the National Certification Exam, effective June 1, 2005. While remaining at 500 hours, specific requirements increased: anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology from 100 to 125 hours; pathology from 0 to 40 hours; and ethics from 2 to 6 hours.
FSMTB Formation, “Exam Wars,” and Administrative Conflict
February 2005: NCBTMB Board Chair Judy Dean and Chair-Elect Neal Barry abruptly resign due to internal board division.
May–September 2005: Initiated by Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), state regulators meet to form the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
July 2005: The article “New Organization Formed to Benefit Massage Therapy” was published in Massage Today.
September 2005: The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) held its formative meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before the annual AMTA convention.
November 2005: The Federation of Massage State Boards was created. There was a difference in opinion between ABMP (supporting regulation) and AMTA (warning against it) regarding the Federation’s creation. (The Shoe’s On The Other Foot Now
By Ralph Stephens, BS, LMT, NCTMB archive.org)
November 2005: An editorial in Massage Today by Cliff Korn (archive.org) outlined the FSMTB’s vision to support state regulatory boards and enable reciprocity/portability, while noting AMTA’s concern that creating another exam would divide the profession.
February 2005: Two executive committee members of the NCBTMB, Judy Dean (board chair) and Neal Barry (chair-elect), abruptly resigned amidst reports of a divisive environment and power struggles on the board. archive.org
April 2004 – July 2005: Christine Niero, executive director for seven years, resigned in April 2004; Mark Green was appointed in July 2004 and quit six months later. Susan Nicholais served as interim executive director.
January 2006: NCBTMB terminates Executive Director John Page and relocates its headquarters from McLean, VA to Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
March 21, 2006: The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) declared the National Certification Exam of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) legally defensible after another organization (FSMTB) questioned its constitutionality. (Massage Magazine on archive.org)
Early 2007: Complaints were levied against the NCBTMB board for allegedly acting inappropriately in dismissing two board members whose certifications had lapsed.
June 2007: Christopher Laxton was hired as NCBTMB CEO, aiming to position the board as an advocate for massage therapy and national certification. He replaced the “executive director” title with “CEO” to signify organizational maturity. Concurrently, FSMTB partners with Pearson VUE to officially launch the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).
June 2007: The NCBTMB had developed the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage. 32 of 39 regulated states used or recognized one or both exams.
May 30, 2008: The NCBTMB celebrated its 15th anniversary in Washington D.C..
June 2008: ABMP leadership meets with NCBTMB executives, urging them to exit the entry-level licensing exam business; NCBTMB declines. (Certifiable, Les Sweeney. ABMP on archive.org)
July 21, 2008: The NCBTMB was conducting a nationwide search for a new CEO, and Laura Culver Edgar had been named interim CEO on June 26.
January 2009: AMTA officially shifts its endorsement to the MBLEx as the preferred entry-level licensing exam for state regulatory portability. (AMTA Backs MBLEx on Massage Today on archive.org)
June–July 2009: NCBTMB announces the creation of the USA Massage Resource Alliance (usaMRA) to sell liability insurance directly to certificants. It was to “strengthen the value of NCBTMB” by offering insurance and other benefits, automatically including its 91,000 certificants. They were also offering discounts on pizza and oil change services.
AMTA and ABMP issue public statements opposing the move as counterproductive. (Massage Today Article and Massage Magazine Article)
On June 9, Paul Lindamood, CEO, registered the domain name www.usamra.org (usaMassageResourceAssociation).
2009 – NCB changes their mission statement to: “To define and advance the highest standards in the massage therapy and bodywork profession.” archive.org
September 2009: The NCBTMB announced a beta exam for Advanced Certification would go live on April 2, 2010, with the final exam slated for delivery before June. Massage Magazine on archive.org
Sept 2009 -The Advanced Certification beta exam will go live April 2, 2010. NCBTMB will then analyze the responses of test participants and make determinations about the questions that will appear on the final exam, which is slated for delivery before June. NCBTMB announces new certification exam. Massage Magazine on archive.org
October 2009: Les Sweeney of ABMP published the “Certifiable” article, commenting on the proposed advanced certification and reiterating ABMP’s view that NCBTMB should revamp its existing certification program for distinction rather than adding a second level.
Nov 2009 – Typepad Blog started to explain NCBTMB’s plan to create advanced certification. (Archive.org)
February 23, 2010 – The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) has announced it will be exhibiting at the Integrative Healthcare Symposium in New York City, Feb. 26 to 27, 2010. (Massage Magazine archive.org)
November 15, 2010: NCBTMB announced the re-election of Michele Baker and election of Judy Silcock, Bruce Baltz, and Rhonda Reif to its Board of Directors.
Realignment, Repositioning, and the 2014 Agreement
Jan 2011 – NCBTMB announces plan (PDF on archive.org) to transform approved provider/ce program.
February 24, 2011: The NCBTMB Board of Directors confirmed the appointment of Leena Guptha, D.O., to a four-year open seat on the board. Massage Magazine on archive.org
April 7, 2011: The NCBTMB announced the results of the Job Task Analysis for the National Certification for Advanced Practice (NCAP). Massage Magazine on archive.org See the full report National Certification for Advanced Practice (NCAP)JOB ANALYSIS STUDY (PDF) Prepared for the: National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork April 2011 Prepared by: Lynn C. Webb, Ed.D. Psychometrician.
May 2011: AFMTE offers new vision for National Certification. (Article on archive.org from Massage Magazine and Draft of proposal.
April 2011: NCBTMB announces new job task analysis report. (Massage Magazine on archive.org)
May 2011: The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) publishes The Optimal Role of National Certification
in the Field of Massage Therapy (AFMTE’s Position Paper) by Rick Rosen calling on NCBTMB to relinquish entry-level licensing testing to the FSMTB and reposition national certification as a post-licensure credential. (Massage Magazine on archive.org)
September 2011: NCBTMB CEO Paul Lindamood steps down. He was credited with refocusing the organization, reducing expenditures, and guiding the progress of the Advanced Credential. Press Release: archive.org
January 2012: West Virginia’s Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) mandates that massage therapists must hold NCBTMB certification to bill for services. (Massage Magazine on archive.org)
March 2012: – NCBTMB announces they are phasing out the National Certification Exam. Massage Magazine Article NCBTMB officially cancels development of its Advanced Practice exam and announces plans to phase out its entry-level licensing exams in favor of a 750-hour Board Certification (BCTMB®) requiring 250 hours of post-graduation work experience. (Offical press release on archive.org)
January 1, 2013 – NCB renames its approved provider program and it is now called the Board Approved Continuing Education Provider Program, with its existing Approved CE Provider Program to be terminated by the end of 2013 .(See archive.org)
December 18, 2013 – Board Certification counts towards a college degree. Massage Magazine.
October 2014: Historic Joint Agreement: FSMTB and NCBTMB sign an agreement establishing the MBLEx as the sole entry-level licensing exam in the United States, while NCBTMB permanently exits the entry-level licensing business to focus exclusively on voluntary Board Certification. (Massage Magazine on archive.org)
2016: NCBTMB officially administers its final entry-level licensing examination. Steve Kirin returns as CEO.
Nov 15, 2016 – AMTA announces funding for the NCBTMB.
2016 – The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced in April that interim CEO Leena Guptha, D.O., B.C.TM.B., had left the NCBTMB and Steve Kirin had resumed his role of CEO at the organization. Guptha was named Interim CEO on March 31, following an announcement that Kirin would not renew his contract with the NCBTMB. ChairElect Bruce Baltz, L.M.T, B.C.TM.B., assumed the role of chair at that point.
March 2017 – The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced today Teresa M. Matthews, LMT, CPT, BCTMB, has been named Chair of the Certification Board, effective immediately. Massage Magazine Press Release
April 2017 – Battle over control of CE heats up between NCBTMB and FSTMB. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Opinion: New CE approval program is bad for many reasons. Whitney Lowe. Massage Magazine
Competency-Based Model and Modern Operations
August 3, 2018: NCBTMB shifts to a (self procalimed) competency-based Board Certification model, officially eliminating the mandatory 750-hour education and 250-hour work experience requirements in favor of graduation from an NCBTMB Assigned School and passing the BCTMB exam.
February 2019 – The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced Rebekah Owens, LMT, BCTMB, and Dolly Wallace, LMT, BCTMB, were positively voted through by Certificants to join the NCBTMB Certification Board. Additionally, Portia B. Resnick, LMT, BCTMB, was named President-Elect. All three roles are effective as of March 1, 2019. Massage Magazine Press Release
December 21, 2020: The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) re-accredits NCBTMB’s Board Certification (BCTMB®) credential through April 30, 2025. (Press Release on archive.org)
December 2021: NCBTMB announces it is discontinuing specialty certifications to focus all organizational resources solely on Board Certification.
July 21, 2024 – Security Breach Announced
May 2025 – NCB TMB announces the results of the Job task Analysis.
June 3, 2026 The Board ends the Assigned Schools program to focus on Board Certification and the Approved Provider Program and encourages schools to pursue COMTA accreditation and/or curriculum endorsement. Press Release.
2026 and Beyond
What would you like to see the NCBTMB doing?