Massage therapy member criteria

To become a member of RITMA Massage Therapists Association, the massage therapist must be 18 years of age or olde and meet the criteria for one of the following two statuses:

• Level 1 Massage Therapist
• Massage Therapist

Level 1 Massage Therapist 

(400-999h)

Level 1 Massage Therapist must have received at least 400 hours of massage therapy training. He must have graduated from a school recognized or accredited by Groupe RITMA. Some other curricula may be submitted for approval. Contact the administration for verification.

Mandatory basic criteria : 

At least one (1) basic body technique¹ : Swedish, Shiatsu, Trager, Californian, Jin Shin Do®, Esalen®, Océüm, Momentum, Reflexology, Polarity, Lymphatic Drainage.²

+ Human anatomy and physiology + Therapist in relationships, active listening techniques, professional ethics, deontology.

Massothérapeute

(1000h+)

Massage Therapist must have received at least 1000 hours of massage therapy training. He must have graduated from a school recognized or accredited by Groupe RITMA. Some other curricula may be submitted for approval. Contact the administration for verification.

Mandatory basic criteria : 

At least two (2) basic body technique¹ : Swedish, Shiatsu, Trager, Californian, Jin Shin Do®, Esalen®, Océüm, Momentum, Reflexology, Polarity, Lymphatic Drainage.²

+ Human anatomy and physiology + Therapist in relationships, active listening techniques, professional ethics, deontology.

For applicants with a university or college education (manual technique), whether or not they belong to a professional order, the basic training may be taken into account up to a maximum of 600 hours. Applicants must therefore also have 400 hours or more of training, depending on the case, in massage therapy.³

RITMA reconnait certains cours dispensés en milieu collégial et universitaire qui pourraient former un tronc commun pour ces formations (ex : anatomie, physiologie, pathologie et autres). L’étude et l’acceptation de ces troncs communs sera déterminée par le comité à l’adhésion.

Kinesitherapist ou Orthotherapist

These specialties are also included in the RITMA Massage Therapists Association.

To be awarded the title of Kinesitherapist

• The applicant has a minimum of 1000 hours of training including: massage therapy training and at least the following: physical therapy techniques, practical work and supervised internships specific to physical therapy.

To be awarded the title of Orthotherapist

• The applicant has a minimum of 1000 hours of training. Which include massage therapy and physiotherapy as well and must have completed several additional hours of training including at least the following: mobilization, specific orthotherapy techniques, practices and supervised internships

Prior learning recognition

If your training school is not listed among the recognized schools, here is a list of schools that offer prior learning recognition:

• Académie OM (Montreal)
• Académie de massage et d’orthothérapie de Gatineau
• Collège Aera (Les Côteau)
• College Shanti (Montreal)
• École À Fleur de Peau (Montreal)
• École de Massothérapie et Kinésithérapie l’Hêtre (Quebec)
• École de massothérapie Massotech (Sainte-Adèle)
• École Setsuko (Montreal)
• Namasco (Blainville / Ascot Corner / Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu)

RITMA Massage Therapists Association encourages continuing education. Massage therapists must keep their knowledge and practices up to date. All members must complete at least 15 hours of continuing education per year.

The Association has very rigorous eligibility criteria and advocates for the regulation of practices and the establishment of high training standards.

Groupe RITMA has very rigorous eligibility criteria and advocates the supervision of practices, the implementation of high training standards and methodical audits. Groupe RITMA has the right to audit at its discretion and at any time the methods, facilities and instruments used by its members to assure the public that the care offered meets all of its quality standards. With respect to receipts issued, it prevents abuse by assigning individually numbered receipts to each member, making multiple use impossible. Staff is also assigned to frequently verify the advertisements and websites of its members to prevent the offering of services that are not intended for therapeutic and professional purposes.

RITMA highly recommend that all its members carry Errors and Omissions insurance.