Disclosure: The information and answers provided are estimates based on the application submitted to the Government of Alberta in October 2024 regarding the proposed regulation of massage therapists. These estimates are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute final regulatory positions, guarantees, or commitments. For comprehensive details, please refer to the full application document.

1. Who are the current representatives for the Working Group?

Canadian Massage and Manual Osteopathic Association (CMMOTA) Representatives:

• Jeremy Sayer – RMT, Government & Industry Relations Manager
• Heather Goddard – Executive Director
• Gisella Callander – RMT

Certified Registered Massage Therapist Association (CRMTA) Representatives:

• Michelle Bullock – RMT and CRMTA Registrar
• Adam Salzman – RMT and CRMTA Board of Directors
• Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi – Treasurer of the CRMTA Board of Directors

Massage Therapist Association of Alberta (MTAA) Representatives:

• Gina Hendrickson – Executive Director
• Janine Gotzke – RMT, Chair of the MTAA Board of Directors
• Jason Dvorak, RMT, MOT, Secretary/Treasurer of the MTAA Board of Directors

Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) Representatives:

• Tendai Nzuma – NHPC CEO and Registrar
• Paul Donovan – Government and Industry Relations Director
• Melanie Hayden – RMT

Transitional Council for the College of Massage Therapists of Alberta (TC-CMTA) Representative

• Christy Kasur, RMT, President of Transitional Council for the College of Massage Therapists of Alberta, Facilitator of the Working Group
  
  

2. Q: How long will the College take to open, and can you provide a step-by-step breakdown of the regulation process?

A: Due to the many steps in the regulatory process, it is difficult for us to estimate the anticipated timeline completion, however, below are the steps in this process:

• Application Submitted (October 2024): The updated application was submitted to the Minister of Health.
• Minister Review: The Minister reviews the application and may request further consultations. At this stage, the Minister can request further information, increasing the timeline.
• Public Interest Recommendation: If deemed in the public’s best interest, the Minister recommends the change to the legislature. This is when government consultation with other stakeholders may take place, ie: schools, clinics, etc.
• MLA Vote: Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) vote on including massage therapists under the Health Professions Act.
• Formation of Transitional Society: If legislation is approved, a Transitional Society is formed. This society will create the foundational documents for full operation of the future regulatory College.
• Grandfathering Registration: Registration opens for therapists to be grandfathered into the College.
• Bylaws and Policies: The Transitional Society drafts bylaws and policies.
• Legal Finalization: The government finalizes the legal details.
• Regulatory College Proclamation: Once all legislation is complete, the government officially proclaims the Regulatory College into existence.

As of March 2025, we are at the stage of Minister Review.

• Q: How much does it cost to join the Transitional Society, and what happens if I wait to join instead of signing up in Year 1?

In the proposed application it is estimated the cost is a one-time fee of $542 plus an annual fee of $150 until the College is established. The benefits of joining in year 1 versus waiting:

• Lower costs: Year 1 offers the lowest one-time buy-in and annual fees.
• Financial stability: Early membership helps fund the College’s development, ensuring a smoother and faster transition (to you the therapist) into the College.

Establishing a regulatory College requires significant funding to develop legal, administrative, and operational structures. A more detailed breakdown of the funding model is available within the Application.[1] 

4. Q: How can massage therapists afford the cost of regulation?

A: The estimated cost of establishing a regulatory College may seem high, but when broken down, it is manageable.

• A therapist working 18 hours per week, with two weeks of vacation, completes 900 treatment hours per year.
• If they join the Transitional Society in Year 1, the total cost is $692 for the first year.
• This means setting aside only $0.77 per hour of treatment for one year.
• The annual fee of $150 remains locked in until the College is established, which breaks down to just $0.17 per hour of treatment per year.

Once the College is established, the annual fee is estimated at around $1.02 per hour, based on 900 hours of work per year. This would be slightly higher for part-time therapists, however still attainable.

It is important to note that in regulated provinces, massage therapy rates are typically higher per session, which more than offsets the cost of registration.

5. Q: How will regulation improve public safety and what benefits will massage therapists gain for joining the Regulatory College?

A: Regulation is primarily designed to protect the public, but it also provides significant benefits for massage therapists, making it a valuable investment in the profession.

For Massage Therapists:

• Professional Credibility & Public Trust – Regulation ensures massage therapists are recognized as healthcare professionals, increasing respect and trust from clients and medical providers.
• Increased Referral Opportunities – Doctors and other healthcare professionals will be more likely to refer patients to registered massage therapists.
• Easier Mobility Between Provinces – Regulation allows therapists to practice in other regulated provinces without extra certification.
• Stronger Industry Representation – A single governing body will advocate for fair treatment, insurance recognition, and industry-wide improvements.
• More Financial Stability – Regulated provinces typically see higher treatment rates ($15–$20 more per session), which helps offset regulatory fees.
• Inclusion in Government Support During Health Crises – As a regulated health profession, massage therapists may qualify for government aid and protections, such as pandemic relief, personal protection equipment (PPE) access, and essential worker status.

Regulation improves public safety through:

• Standardization of Patient Care – Ensures all therapists meet consistent training, safety, and ethical standards.
• Public Protection – Only qualified therapists can use protected titles like Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), reducing the risk of unqualified practitioners.
• Improved Access to Massage Therapy – Increased recognition among healthcare providers and insurers makes massage therapy a more accessible and trusted healthcare option.
• Stronger Complaint & Disciplinary Processes – Patients will have a clear system for reporting concerns, ensuring ethical and professional conduct is maintained.

By improving professional credibility, financial stability, and public safety, regulation benefits both therapists and patients, helping to establish massage therapy as a respected healthcare profession.

By implementing these measures, regulation ensures a safer, more respected, and professionally rewarding industry for therapists while providing the public with greater confidence in massage therapy services.

An additional benefit to the public is the recognition of fees paid for treatment as medical expenses for tax purposes.

6. Q: Will regulation limit what can be billed as “massage”  for therapists in their practice?

A: Regulation will restrict billable techniques to those which fall under Scope of Practice defined by the College. Massage therapists will still be able to use the massage therapy techniques they’ve been trained in which fall under the Scope of Practice. The main change is a clearer definition of what qualifies as billable techniques/modalities as massage therapy under regulation.

Techniques which do not fall within scope of practice are only prohibited from being used within a massage therapy treatment session. They may still be performed but cannot be billed under a massage therapy session or using the massage therapists credentials provided by the college. These techniques are referred to within the proposed application.

Safe practice guidelines will be introduced to ensure flexibility while prioritizing client safety.

The goal of regulation is to set clear standards and protections for both clients and therapists—not to limit therapy options.

7. Q: What is the difference between the Regulatory College and a Massage Association and will my malpractice and liability insurance be included with my College registration fees?

A: Unlike the College, an association in a regulated environment cannot enforce rules or discipline members but may work alongside the College to help shape industry policies and standards.

• A Regulatory College exists to protect the public by ensuring massage therapists meet consistent standards of competence, safety, and ethics. It will oversee practice licensing, set and enforce standards, investigate complaints, and discipline therapists who fail to meet professional requirements. Malpractice and liability insurance is required by the College, but is not a part of the College registration fees.
• A Massage Association is voluntary and supports therapists through advocacy, networking, and continuing education. Unlike a Regulatory College, an association does not enforce practice rules or discipline members regarding professional misconduct. An association will provide access to malpractice and liability insurance.

Alternatively, therapists will continue to have the option to source their own malpractice and liability insurance.

8. Q: How will health insurance billing and Massage Therapist recognition work once regulation is in place?

A: In regulated provinces, health insurance companies typically rely on the College to verify credentials and determine eligibility for direct billing or receipt recognition. Once regulation is in effect, it is anticipated that insurance providers will follow a similar process in Alberta.

9. Q: Will I lose my RMT title if I don’t join the College?

A: Before proclamation, all practicing massage therapists can use the RMT title, as it is not currently protected in Alberta. However, after proclamation, RMT and other protected titles will only be available to those registered with the College under the Alberta Health Professions Act (HPA). This ensures public recognition of registered massage therapists as health professionals.

10. Q: What are the eligibility requirements to be grandparented into the College as a practicing massage therapist in Alberta?

A: Upon the establishment of the College, therapists can apply for grandparenting within 90 days through one of two pathways:

• Path 1: For therapists who reside in Alberta and are in good standing with CMMOTA, CRMTA, MTAA, or NHPC.
  • Required: Proof of good standing, a criminal record check, current First Aid and CPR certification, and payment of fees.
• Path 2: For therapists not affiliated with the above associations.
  • Required: Criminal record check, First Aid and CPR certification, proof of English fluency, 500+ practice hours in the past 3 years, and proof of education meeting Interjurisdictional Practice Competencies (IJPCPI) standards.

There is no entry to practice testing proposed under the grandparenting provision in the application before the College is proclaimed.

After proclamation, any therapist who has not been grandparented must pass an entry to practice exam to be eligible to join the College.

A jurisprudence course and exam (to ensure all registrants are aware of the regulatory requirements of the college) will need to be completed by all applicants into the College.

11. Q: What will be the continuing education requirements under the new College?

A: The continuing education requirements will likely be similar to those used in regulated provinces. The future College may include, but is not limited to, introducing the following requirements:

• Practice Audit/Peer Review
• Credit-based or outcome-based continuing education
• Self-reflection or personal learning development plans

Under regulation, massage therapists will be required to maintain competency and pursue lifelong skills development, as mandated by the Alberta Health Professions Act (HPA). Standards may differ by province, but all health professionals under the HPA must stay current in their field.

12. Q: How would I stay up-to-date with the progress of regulation, and what resources are available for massage therapists to learn about the regulation process in Alberta?

A: Massage therapists can review the following resources to become more informed on the topic of regulation in Alberta:

• The updated application for regulation submitted to the Minister of Health on October 15, 2024;
• The prepared video explaining details of the regulation application;
• A recorded video from one of the Fall 2024 regulation information sessions;
• Contact your massage therapy association on your regulation questions.

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