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