In order to work as a massage therapist in Ontario, a person needs to meet special requirements to become a licensed professional. These are meant to ensure a high level of capability among practitioners within the province, as well as to promote client safety and wellbeing.
Attending and completing a massage therapy training program will allow you to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for success in attaining a license and excelling in your career, making it an important part of your journey in becoming a massage therapist.
Want to learn a little more about the process? Here’s a look at what is required to become a massage therapist in Ontario.
To Become a Massage Therapist in Ontario, You Must Pass the MCQ Theory Exam
According to the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, one of the crucial components involved in becoming a licensed massage therapist in Ontario is passing the Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) exam. This evaluates your understanding of health and clinical science, as well as your knowledge of professional development. The exam is 150 questions long, and takes approximately three hours to complete, making it a thorough examination of the foundational knowledge needed within the industry.
Fortunately, by attending good massage therapy courses, you can gain a background that surpasses even the expectations of the MCQ. You can study concepts relating to tissues, joints, and treatments, as well as the practices, philosophies, and approaches employed by different kinds of health care professionals. Completing this kind of thorough training will help you to pass the exam and enter your career with confidence. You Must Also Pass the OSCE Clinical Exam to Become a Massage Therapist in Ontario
The other certification exam that the CMTO requires aspiring massage therapists to pass is the Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE). This exam is a test of the practical skills that you will have acquired at a massage therapy school in Ontario, and is meant to ensure that you can provide a high level of service to clients. Many techniques are evaluated during the exam, with scoring handled by a team of massage therapist examiners. The exam lasts about an hour and a half.
Attending Medix College will let you develop the hands-on skills necessary for passing the OSCE in industry-standard clinical settings. You will learn how to perform all the practical functions that employers (and the CMTO) will expect. This includes range of motion tests, administering treatments to help correct physical disorders, providing relaxing, healing massages for clients, and more. By the time you complete your training and are ready to take your OSCE exam, your extensive clinical training will have you fully prepared for success.
Non-Essential, But Valuable: Completing a Practicum Before Your Career
Though it is not a CMTO requirement for becoming a licensed massage therapist, completing a practicum during your school training is nonetheless excellent preparation for a future career, and is highly recommended. Doing so will allow you to take the skills and knowledge acquired during your training and apply them in a real workplace setting, where you will interact with and help real people.
This process can be one of important discovery for you, allowing you to get a better, up-close look at what it is like to work as a massage therapist. Even better, it can provide you with valuable experience to put on your CV, and will make you a more attractive prospect for potential employers. If you want to have every advantage heading into your future career, having practicum experience to go along with your certifications is quite valuable. Fortunately, colleges like Medix College include a practicum component right into the curriculum, helping you graduate with job-ready skills.
Do you want to become a massage therapist?
Contact Medix College today to learn what our program can do for you!
