BOARD CERTIFIED THAI THERAPIST: (501 hours or more of training in specific approved modality, must be from recognized programs issueing certificates with certified hours.)
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
INDEPENDENT
(NON-GOVERNMENT)
NON-INDEPENDENT
(GOVERNMENT)
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/ NTYMBCB is the only national certification board in the United States specializing in Traditional Thai Therapeutic Ayurveda, Yoga and Massage Systems of Health, Wellness and Longivity, (Thai Yoga, Thai Massage, Nuad Boran, SomaVeda™, Anantasuk, Buddhai Sawan, Wat Po, Buntautuk, Old Medicine Hospital, Jap Sen Nuad, Nuad Pra Khop Samun Prai, Tawee etc.). ITTA has the reputation and experience to certify Thai Yoga and or Thai Massage Practitioners and 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 and WELLNESS CARE. Be proud Thai Yoga and Massage is your profession. Make it known you are a Thai Yoga and or 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 Yoga, Thai Massage, 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 Yoga and Thai Massage, organization that has value.
ITTA, NATIONAL THAI YOGA, MASSAGE 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 Yoga and Massage modality for a minimum of ten years, Be of good moral character. Application submitted and approved by ITTA Instructor Advisory Committe at our Annual National Convention.)
BOARD CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR ADVANCED: (Certified Instructor minimum, certified to facilitate six levels of training or the equivilant of a complete advanced system, including technical, historical, philosophical, theoretical and spiritual concepts in one or more distictive regional styles, i.e. Southern and Northern. Able to teach and communicate Southern, Northern and/ or Eclectic Thai Bodywork Styles in a competent and professional manner. A proven orientation toward promoting and furthering the Thai Yoga Way.) (Certified Instructors must hold and maintain an ITTA Certified Therapists or above membership level.)
BOARD CERTIFIED MASTER INSTRUCTOR: (Board Certified Instructor Advanced minimum, Able to teach, certify and communicate two or more styles: Southern, Northern and Eclectic Thai Bodywork Styles in a competent and professional manner as an Advanced Instructor for a minimum of 2 years. 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 Yoga and Massage field and industry.)
1. Graduation from a Thai Yoga and or 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 Yoga, Massage 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 NTYMBCB seal and the signatures of the President and Secretary is issued by NTYMBCB to the individual. The individual is encouraged to use the NTYMCAB Board Certified Thai Yoga and or Thai Massage Practitioner, or Board Certified Thai Yoga or Thai Massage Instructor designation on business cards, and stationery. Any unauthorized use is strictly forbidden.
EXAMINATION CONTENTS:
Although many Thai Yoga 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 NTYMBCB 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 Yoga 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 NTYMBCB 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 NTYMBCB 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 Yoga and 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