ITTA

International Thai Therapists Association

NATIONAL THAI MASSAGE, YOGA AND BODYWORK

CERTIFICATION and ACCREDITATION BOARD

NTMYBCB

CERTIFICATION vs. LICENSING

Professional competence of an individual attaining the certification of Thai Massage Practitioner or Thai Massage Instructor , Thai Yoga or Yoga Instructor can be assessed by two recognized mechanisms: licensing or certification.

WHAT IS CERTIFICATION:

Certification is a voluntary process that recognizes expertise and proven ability without limiting entrance into or employment in the field. It is generally agreed that one national certification program is preferable and more beneficial to a profession than a multitude of possible state programs. Certification is not new or unique. Certification programs serve a government purpose in that they benefit the public by overseeing standards, and self- regulation where licensing boards are not created. A certification program can help guide educational institutions in developing and evaluating Thai Massage, Thai Yoga and SomaVeda Practitioner / Instructor Certification curriculum.

CERTIFICATION

• A statement of completion or meeting a standard.
• Voluntary.
• Does not involve the police power of the state.
• Certification may be withdrawn at any time by the issuing agency.  However, this does not stop one from working.
• Preserves and enhances the power of the individual consumer to decide upon the practitioner of his/her choice.
• The propose is mainly to inform and educate.
  

LICENSING

INDEPENDENT
(NON-GOVERNMENT)

• Voluntary.
• Does not involve the police power of the state.
• The purpose is to confuse the general public and make money
• This type of license is for private use until legislation include in the statute, then it will become non-independent.  NO GUARANTEE.

NON-INDEPENDENT
(GOVERNMENT)

• A permission to perform an activity.
• Generally is mandatory to perform the activity.
• Involves the police power of the government.
• Presumes that working in the particular field of activity is a privilege. Establishment of licensing shifts the activity from a right to privilege. The privilege is given and may be withdrawn at any time by the issuing agency.
• Increases the power of government, and reduces the power of the individual consumer.
• The purpose is to restrict entry and strictly control the profession or activity.

WHY APPLY TO THE INTERNATIONAL THAI THERAPISTS ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL THAI MASSAGE, YOGA AND BODYWORK CERTIFICATION BOARD, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION, (NTMYBCB), FOR THAI MASSAGE, THAI YOGA AND SOMAVEDA PRACTITIONER AND OR INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION ?

ITTA/ NTMYBCB is the only national certification board in the United States specializing in Traditional Thai Medical Massage Therapy (Thai Massage, Thai Yoga, Nuad Boran, SomaVeda™, ). ITTA has had the reputation and experience to certify Thai Massage Practitioners and Thai Massage Instructors since 1992. It has set the standards, scope and ethics necessary to describe Thai Massage as that which it is A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FORM OF HEALTH CARE. Be proud Thai Massage is your profession. Make it known you are a Thai Massage Practitioner or Instructor. DO NOT be homogenized by non-brand, non-descriptive health care groups claiming to represent traditional healing practices based on Traditional Thai Medicine and Ayurvedic principles. If you're a Thai Massage, Thai Yoga , Nuad Boran or SomaVeda practitioner, you are knowledgeable about many subjects. A nutritionist is just a nutritionist. An herbologist is just an herbologist. If your education is as a Yoga therapy practitioner, let the world know, and apply for certification and recognition from a national Thai Massage, Thai Yoga organization that has value.

ITTA, NATIONAL THAI MASSAGE, YOGA AND BODYWORK CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION BOARD (NTYMBCB) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
The ITTA Thai Yoga, Massage and Bodywork Certification Board offers several types of Certification:

BOARD CERTIFIED THAI THERAPIST: (501 hours or more of training in specific approved modality, must be from recognized programs issueing certificates with certified hours.)

BOARD CERTIFIED MASTER PRACTIONER: ( (Certified Master Practitioner's must have maintained an active, uninterrupted, Certified Therapists grade membership level in ITTA for a minimum of 10 years to qualify. Must have a documented clinical practice using Thai Massage modality for a minimum of ten years, Be of good moral character. Application submitted and approveed by ITTA Board of Advisors at National Convention.)

BOARD CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR ADVANCED: (Certified Instructor minimum, certified to facilitate six levels of training or the equivilant in two or more distictive regional styles, i.e. Southern and Northern. Able to teach and communicate Southern, Northern and Eclectic Thai Bodywork Styles in a competant and professional manner. A proven orientation toward promoting and furthering the Thai Massage Way.) (Certified Instructors must hold and maintain a Certified Therapists or above membership level.)

BOARD CERTIFIED MASTER INSTRUCTOR: (Board Certified Instructor Advanced minimum, Able to teach, certify and communicate Southern, Northern and Eclectic Thai Bodywork Styles in a competant and professional manner. A proven orientation toward promoting and furthering the Thai Massage Way. Has graduated and or certified a minimum of five thousand students. Must be published, of good moral character, has made substantial, documented, contributions toward furtherence of Thai Massage field and industry.)

1.      Graduation from a Thai Massage program that is approved by the NTMYBCB, and/ or
2.      Education and experience deemed equivalent, and
3.      Sit for and pass the required Personal Competency Review examination administered by the ITTA Board of Examiners (NBTYMBE).

Assessment of education hours will be based on the academic standard from various sources set and agreed upon by the ITTA National Board of Thai Massage, Yoga and Bodywork Examiners (NTMYBCB).

Applicants meeting a minimum criteria and approved by the Board, may take the examination. Each applicant for the examination must apply to the Board thirty (30) days prior to the examination. After approval and/or passing the examination, a certificate bearing the NTMYBCB seal and the signatures of the President and Secretary is issued by NTMYBCB to the individual. The individual is encouraged to use the NTYMCAB Board Certified Thai Massage or Yoga Practitioner, or Board Certified Thai Massage or Yoga Instructor designation on business cards, and stationery. Any unauthorized use is strictly forbidden.

EXAMINATION CONTENTS:

Although many Thai Massage Practitioners work in special areas of health care rather than as generalists, there are general skills and knowledge which apply to the Massage and Bodywork health care field and for this reason, general subject or topics were selected for inclusion in the examination.

The four part NTMYBCB examination contains multiple choice questions, essay questions, and short answer questions. The examination covers general knowledge of human biological science, as well as traditional Thai healing art techniques, Thai Massage history, Theory, Philosophy and Clinical Applications and procedures and Herbology.

Every question in each section was carefully scrutinized for "national scope," and questions which did not apply to all states were removed from the examination.

ITTA and NTMYBCB believes that standard national examinations will ensure uniformity of professional standards as well as permit Thai Massage Practitioners and Instructors to move from one state to another without loss of certified status.

RENEWAL POLICY:

Every year those certified by NTMYBCB must be able to document (20) continuing education units to remain current. Continuing education units will be awarded for attending seminars, writing technical papers, teaching, workshops, or conferences in areas of Thai Massage and natural health care alternatives.

For a list of schools and recognized programs please visit: Instructor and Schools Directory

 E-Mail: ITTA@CORE.COM

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