Modalities question

[Texas Chic]

This might be a licensing question but I was curious about the actual laws governing advertising different modalities. I live in CA and from what I understand as long as I go to a state approved school that has a program meeting the hour requirement I can be a CMP or CMT.

That does not cover if I can advertise as specializing in Swedish, Deep Tissue etc. If I get mentored in Hot Rock massage by another CMT and start using that on my clients and I advertise Hot Rock even though I was not trained in a state approved school is that legal or do I have to get a state approved CE to be able to advertise that service...etc

 

[kshollywood]

Modalities question

There's only laws regarding the massage certification in general, there's nothing against advertising that you do a particular modality. The only time that happens is if the modality is trademarked, then you would need to have a certificate from that provider showing you completed the course. For instance, anyone who takes hot stone at massage school can advertise they do hot stone after graduating. In order to advertise LaStone Therapy, you have to attend a LaStone Therapy class.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Modalities question

Thank you for your answer!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Modalities question

I agree with kathryn, definitely pay attention to if it a trademarked modality . I also just want to add my :2cents:

At the school I went to, they explained it in more of an ethical approach. If you have had serious training (more than just an intro course) or gotten the certification then you can obviously advertise as you've put the time, money, effort into learning that modality and should be capable of performing it competently. But if you've just been introduced to it through school or an informal session with another MT, then you would want to consider how much you really learned, how much more you may need to learn, and if you feel comfortable asking people to pay money for it as a service at that point.

Our instructors basically said that you may advertise that you offer anything you have been thoroughly instructed in, like Swedish and any other modalities focused on in your school (my school did Swedish + Shiatsu), and anything you get certified in later. But as far as things you were just introduced to, you should keep those as modalities that may be included in your session, but not as session on their own. Like your Swedish session may include deep tissue and reflexology techniques, even though you may not be certified in Reflexology but you might use some of the moves that you like and that feel good in general.

I think this sounds a little more strict than it needs to be. Also, when I say "certified" I simply mean you've had a full instructional course, not necessarily received a certificate or the title of "Certified __________ Practitioner". :massage: