Massage Therapy

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist in Ontario

October 20, 2023

A massage therapy training graduate massaging a client’s back.

Becoming a massage therapist could be a great profession if you’re looking to pursue a career path that allows you to facilitate rehabilitation and maintenance of wellness for your clients. Naturally, before you get started, you may have some questions about the training, such as how long does it take to complete the training as a massage therapist in Ontario? This answer is simple: depending on what campus you attend, it will take you one to two years to complete your diploma.  Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to becoming a massage therapist and how your studies at Medix College will provide you with the skills, experience, and confidence you’ll need to reach your goals. 

How to Become a Massage Therapist: Start by Acquiring the Skills You Need

To become a massage therapist, it’s important to ensure that you have the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to provide safe and effective treatments to your clients. You may be wondering – How do I become a massage therapist in Ontario?

Those seeking your services will trust your expertise, as you assess their needs, administer various massage techniques, and provide home-care instructions. To maximize client satisfaction on the job, it’s essential to start your career with a training program that provides you with a well-rounded knowledge base, an understanding of industry best practices, and the opportunity to put your skills into practice.

A massage therapy training student practicing on a client while learning from an instructor.
Start your career with quality massage therapy training.

The Massage Therapy Diploma Program at Medix College covers the essential knowledge needed to become a massage therapist in Ontario, from fundamental anatomy and physiology to massage theory and techniques. Depending on what campus you attend, it will take you one to two years to complete in-class instruction. The training provided will be both practical and theoretical and will provide you with hands-on experience which will be crucial to your career success. 

Get Hands-on Experience in a Practicum 

Massage therapy is a tactile skill set. Once you have a strong command of fundamental theory, it will be crucial to obtain as much hands-on practice as possible. Be sure to choose a massage therapy program that offers a practicum and / or clinical placement to ensure your professional competence, confidence, and access to valuable industry connections. The Massage Therapy Diploma Program at Medix College offers an on-site student clinic that will allow you to hone your massage therapy skills by providing treatments to the public and making valuable connections between course concepts and hands-on practice while getting comfortable in a professional environment. 

Pass the Certification Examinations You Need to Start Working

Wondering how to become a massage therapist in Ontario once you’ve accumulated the industry knowledge and experience you need to serve clients? In Ontario massage therapy graduates must complete and pass two provincial examinations which allows them to register with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.

Massage therapy training materials and a hot water bottle on a therapist's table.
After massage therapy training, prepare for the two certification exams required by the CMTO.

The MCQ Exam is a computer-based multiple-choice exam designed to determine whether you have a solid knowledge of key theoretical concepts. Students have 3 hours to complete 150 questions and can retake the exam up to 3 times. 

The OSCE exam is a more in-depth evaluation of your hands-on knowledge as it applies to clinical practice. It lasts about an hour and a half and must be passed within three attempts. Once you’ve completed both examinations successfully you’ll be ready to complete your registration with the CMTO and start your practice as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in various settings such as rehabilitation or massage clinics, fitness centers, and spas to name a few. 

After all the information provided above, you may find yourself questioning, is massage therapy a good career in Ontario. Massage Therapy has been proven to be an effective way of managing physical health and well-being with an increasing popularity and demand, resulting in a greater need for qualified and professional massage therapists. Simply put, yes a career in Massage Therapy is a good one with promising future opportunities for those with a desire to help others. 

FAQs To Consider: 

How to become a massage therapist in Ontario 

Before you start the process of becoming a licensed massage therapist, it’s important to ensure that you have the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to provide safe and effective care to clients. 

How to become a massage therapist in Ontario

After successfully completing your diploma in massage therapy, You must pass two examinations to be eligible for registration with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).

Is massage therapy a good career in Ontario?

Massage Therapy has been proven to be an effective way of managing physical health and well-being with an increasing popularity and demand, resulting in a greater need for qualified and professional massage therapists. Simply put, yes a career in Massage Therapy is a good one with promising future opportunities for those with a desire to help others. 

How long does it take to become a massage therapist in Ontario?

Depending on what campus you attend, it will take you one to two years to complete in-class instruction. You will then be eligible to take the provincial exams and start your practice as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).

Are you ready to start our massage therapy training? 

Contact Medix College to learn more!

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