The FSMTB has determined that courses taught in the following categories will be acceptable for inclusion in the CE Registry. Inclusion does not guarantee acceptance for license renewal; only state licensing boards have the authority to accept continuing education for license renewal.
Acceptable Course Topics
Anatomy & Physiology
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the structure and function of the body.
Applications & Tools
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in using applications and tools in the practice of massage therapy:
Applications
- The topical application of any preparation, including but not limited to, the external application of hydrotherapy, thermotherapy and cryotherapy to augment the effects of massage therapy treatment.
Tools
- Manual devices that mimic or enhance the actions of the hands.
Instructor Training
- Courses to prepare individuals to teach in the massage profession.
Kinesiology
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the study of the movement of the body.
Modalities – Eastern/Asian
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in Eastern/Asian massage modalities.
Modalities – Western
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in Western massage modalities.
Pathology
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the study of diseases that affect the human body and their implications for massage.
Pharmacology
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the interactions between medications and massage.
Professional Practice
- Courses in the following topic areas:
- Assessment
- Benefits of Massage
- Body Mechanics
- Business
- Communication with Clients
- Contraindications
- Documenting/Charting
- Record Keeping
- Treatment Planning
- Third-Party Reimbursement
- Universal Precautions
Regulatory Ethics
- State-required regulatory education courses:
- Addictions/Substance Abuse
- Boundaries
- Cultural Competence
- Ethics
- Human Trafficking
- Infectious Disease Control
- Laws
- Mandated Reporting
- Medical Error Prevention
- Regulations
- Scope of Practice
- Sexual Misconduct/Abuse
Research
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in the process of scientific research of massage therapy.
Special Populations
- Courses whose main purpose is to instruct students in providing massage/bodywork to special populations of clients:
- Athletes/Fitness
- Disabilities
- Geriatric
- Hospice
- Infants & Children
- Military
- Orthopedic
- Obese
- Oncology
- Pregnant
- Trauma
Other
- Courses whose main purpose is not found in any other category. These courses will be reviewed for acceptance on a scheduled basis.
Unacceptable Course Topics
The FSMTB does not accept courses that are out of the massage therapy scope of practice. Some unacceptable course types are:
- Advanced science
- Applied Kinesiology
- Animal massage
- Bamboo
- Chiropractic Assistant
- Crystals
- Crystal bowls
- Dancing
- Diets
- Dry needling
- Electric stimulation
- Energy work
- Exercise
- Feng Shui
- Herbal remedies
- Homeopathic remedies
- Light therapy
- Martial Arts
- Meditation
- Non-biological science
- Nutrition
- Personal training
- Pilates
- Psychology
- Qi Gong
- Sea shells
- Social work
- Spirituality
- Supplements
- Tai Chi
- Therapist Self-care
- Tuning Forks
- Ultrasound
- Weightlifting
- Yoga