Membership

AMTA maintains high professional standards to ensure that its members have the education, training, and ethical grounding necessary to provide safe and effective massage therapy. Requiring licensure or certification helps protect clients, maintain industry credibility, and support ongoing professional development.

AMTA Professional members must complete 48 clock hours of continuing education (CE) every four years, starting from their first full year of membership.

CE courses must be:

• Directly related to massage therapy.

• Taught under qualified instruction with responsible sponsorship.

• Structured as experiential learning, theoretical education, or research-based coursework.

Professional members can meet their CE requirements through a variety of educational formats, including:

✔ AMTA-sponsored education, such as:

• AMTA National Convention

• Schools Summit

• Chapter Events

• AMTA Online Courses

• Fascial Therapy Continuing Education Program

✔ Accredited massage therapy schools, colleges, or universities offering CE courses.

✔ Workshops and training sessions hosted by NCBTMB-approved or state-approved providers.

✔ Home study courses with assessments, including:

• Online courses

• Workbooks

• DVDs and other structured educational materials

AMTA offers a variety of online and in-person educational opportunities through its website, national events, and chapter programs. You can also check with NCBTMB-approved providers, accredited massage therapy schools, and recognized institutions for additional options.

To qualify for Professional Membership with the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Graduate from an accredited massage therapy school with a minimum of 500 in-class hours.

• Hold a current state or provincial massage therapy license (where applicable).

• Be certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Additionally, all AMTA members are required to adhere to a professionally recognized code of ethics and standards of practice while committing to ongoing professional education.

Failure to meet AMTA’s continuing education requirements may affect your membership status. It’s important to stay up to date with CE coursework to ensure compliance with AMTA’s professional standards and maintain your active membership.