Be a part of the growing demand for health care professionals by becoming a Registered Massage Therapist and make a difference in your community!

The Massage Therapy Program at Cambrian College is a 6 semester evidence-based and rehabilitation-focused program that produces competent, confident, professional, and well-rounded graduates capable of working in various settings. Holistic approaches to health care are incorporated into treatment planning based on patient assessments and goals. Cambrian's Program has been granted preliminary accreditation from the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation.

Students will progress through a scaffolded learning experience, beginning with the foundational health sciences, assessment skills, basic massage therapy techniques, and professionalism in year one. Students begin to apply their skills in a clinical setting in years two and three, focusing on treatment planning for specific conditions and patient presentations. Students will gain practical experience through the Cambrian College Massage Therapy Clinic (CCMTC) and local off-site placements. Here, students will practice their acquired skills in a real-world setting under the supervision of a Registered Massage Therapist. Students will also gain valuable experience in business management, marketing, and research to enter the massage therapy profession confidently.

Program Mission Statement
Massage Therapy Program at Cambrian College aims to produce entry-level practitioners who understand their professional responsibilities and who have internalized the drive to become exemplary health professionals. By providing foundational knowledge and practical learning experiences that refine skills and exceed regulator’s expectations. Further, we aim to create a program that prioritizes the practical application of this knowledge in a professional manner.


Program Highlights
3 years – 6 semesters
Provide over 330 hours of direct massage therapy care under the supervision of faculty who are Registered Massage Therapists
Gain hands-on training in our high-tech massage therapy lab
Begin learning assessments and massage therapy skills in the first semester of the program
Participate in 7 placements opportunities (4 onsite and 3 offsite) with diverse populations in a variety of healthcare settings
Training in complementary modalities such as laser, therapeutic ultrasound, TENS, cupping, and kinesiology taping
Clinical Placement
The Cambrian College Massage Therapy Clinic allows student practitioners to provide massage therapy treatments to members of the public under the supervision of faculty members. During on-site clinic experiences, students will perform comprehensive assessments and treatments and will have opportunities to practice incorporating hydrotherapy and complementary modalities into their treatments. Students will also guide clients through remedial exercise regimens. Students use an electronic record management system to manage confidential client records and will also learn how to handle client bookings and payments.

In addition to on-site clinic experiences, massage therapy students will complete three off-site placement courses. Off-site placements occur in small groups of students under the supervision of a faculty member who is a Registered Massage Therapist. These experiences are intended to expose students to diverse population groups in the community. Off-site placements occur with various athletic agencies, with community partners involved in maternal and infant care, in rehabilitative settings, and in medical settings such as long-term care, and hospitals.

Placement Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements to attend clinical placement courses. Students are responsible for any expenses incurred related to placement. Requirements should be met after admission but prior to attending clinical placement courses.

Successfully complete a recognized course in first aid with an annual course in CPR (HCP/BLS) level
Attend an N-95 mask fit testing (shaving a portion of facial hair may be required to meet safety standards)
Obtain a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (required annually) Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned may be prohibited from proceeding to clinical placement. It may also prohibit an applicant from becoming registered with the College of Massage Therapists.
Obtain AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Certificate
Obtain WHMIS 2015 (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) Certificate annually
Obtain Ministry of Labour 4-Step Worker Health & Safety Awareness Training
Obtain pre-clearance health form completed by a physician or nurse practitioner
Immunization requirements:
Varicella
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Tuberculosis Screening
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis immunization
Hepatitis B
Influenza Vaccination
All of the above requirements must be in effect for the duration of each placement, clinic, and outreach.

About the Profession of Massage Therapy
Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) assess and treat physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints of the body, primarily though hands-­on manipulation. Assessment and treatment can include orthopedic and neurological testing, soft tissue manipulation, hydrotherapy and other complementary modalities such as remedial exercise, and client education.

RMTs work with people of all ages and conditions. They work in clinics, hospitals, retirement homes, care facilities, rehabilitative settings, or in private settings such as home-based clinics or spas. RMTs can work with pregnant women, infants, athletes, the elderly, individuals with complex health care needs to treat specific musculoskeletal complaints or with individuals looking to enhance wellness. RMTs are regulated health professionals that are granted certificates to practice by their provincial regulatory body. In Ontario, the regulatory body is the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). RMTs are accountable to the CMTO for their professional behavior, which includes demonstrating continuing competency and acting in the best interests of their clients.

Registered Massage Therapist Designation

Graduates of Cambrian's Massage Therapy Program are eligible to challenge the OSCE and MCQ examinations for Registered Massage Therapist credentialing (RMT/MT) as set out by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).

About the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario

Massage Therapists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). Registered Massage Therapists must comply with federal and provincial legislation such as the Regulated Health Professions Act 1991, the Massage Therapy Act 1991, Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), the Health Care Consent Act (HCCA) and others.

CMTO regulates Massage Therapists and protects the public by setting the requirements of becoming a massage therapist, maintaining the public registry, developing and enforcing standards of practice to ensure professional conduct. They are responsible for receiving and investigating complaints from the public about their Massage Therapy care.

You can find more information on the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario by visiting www.cmto.com.

About the Registered Massage Therapist Association of Ontario

Massage therapy students and graduates are eligible to become members of the Registered Massage Therapy Association of Ontario (RMTAO). The RMTAO is a professional association that advocates for the profession of Massage Therapy.

You can find more information about the Registered Massage Therapist Association of Ontario by visiting https://www.rmtao.com/about-rmtao/whatwedo

Upon successful completion of all courses, as outlined in the program of study, the student is eligible to write the OSCE and MCQ examination for registered massage therapist credentialing as set out by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario

The student is also responsible for the following costs:

Certification Examinations (OSCE and MCQ)
Professional liability insurance
Cost for initial registration
Employment Opportunities
Registered Massage Therapists will be able to work in a variety of settings including:

Self Employment
Healthcare Organizations
Multidisciplinary Clinics
Health & Fitness Centers
Athletic Organizations
Resort/Spa Industry
Long Term Care facilities