frequently asked questions
FAQs
Hopefully, these questions are representative of some of the questions that you may have in relation to the AMTA and the legislative efforts in Oklahoma by the AMTA. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us at AMTAOK@gmail.com , and we will do our best to reply to you in a timely and proper manner!
General Questions:
What are the requirements for membership?
Does the AMTA provide liability insurance?
How is the AMTA different from other organizations?
Being an unlicesed state, what is the Oklahoma Chapter doing with legislation?
the amta is a membership organization dedicated to serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy.
What are the requirements for membership?
Qualifications - submit proof of one of the following:
-
Graduation from a minimum 500 in-class hour supervised entry-level massage therapy training program
-
A current license from one of the following: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, MO, ME, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NY, NV, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, or Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, or Newfoundland and Labrador.
-
Certification by the National Certification for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
-
Previous enrollment as an AMTA Professional member
Several easy methods are available for applying for AMTA membership. You may fill out one of our online application forms and pay with your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card. You may print out an application and mail it to
American Massage Therapy Association
Attn: Member Services
500 Davis Street, Suite 900
Evanston, IL 60201-4695
Or fax it to 847-864-5196.
You may also call us toll-free at 1-877-905-2700 and apply by phone, Monday through Friday, 8am-5:30pm, or you may fax your application to 847-864-1178.
Does the AMTA provide liability insurance?
We provide professional and general liability insurance, which covers members for $2 million per incident and $6 million aggregate annually. Liability insurance is included in our Associate, Student (please note that Student members are provided with liability insurance coverage for school-sponsored and sanctioned activities while a student and professional coverage after graduation if you qualify) and Professional membership packages.
How is the AMTA different from other organizations?
The AMTA is a non-profit, member focused organization that is volunteer driven. We have state chapters, lead by elected volunteers, with voting members and student members. We have a system where suggestions and ideas can be taken to the National Leadership (who are also elected by the membership) and implemented! Yes, liability insurance is available, but so is health insurance, property insurance, and practice insurance. As an organization, we support the Massage Therapy Research Foundation, The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and COMTA (the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation). We have state chapters, a national convention, and a toll-free phone number to help anyone who needs help. We provide cost efficient opportunities for continuing education at the state and national levels, and promote the art, science, and practice of massage. As a state chapter, we are active in local communities, and our communication staff are the source for information about massage therapy by such news outlets as CNN and Reuters. We were founded in 1943, and have been a leader in the Massage Therapy field ever since. Put simply, we deliver more.
Being an unlicesed state, what is the Oklahoma Chapter doing with legislation?
In the past, the Oklahoma chapter has been very active promoting a fair, just and congruent state massage license. Facts are, only a few communities in oklahoma have licensing for massage, and in fact, even though we have several massage schools, apprenticeship is still honored in one city. Many people are frustrated by the fact that Oklahoma seems to be a dumping ground for individuals who have been denied licenses, had licenses revoked, or practice massage with no education at all. Our mission statement is to advance the art, science and practice of massage therapy, and promoting professional statewide licensure is part of that mission. In a practical sense, statewide licensure is more fair than the patchwork of regulations that exist now. For example - a licensed massage therapist in Broken Arrow, who lives in Tulsa, wants to work on their grandparents in Sapulpa. That therapist would be unable to work at home (in Broken Arrow) but would need a Tulsa license ($150) and a Sapulpa License ($75) to work. Of course, if they worked one day in Broken Arrow, they would need to pay for their Broken Arrow license, and commit to continuing education (which is very difficult to find in Oklahoma due to the cost prohibitive nature of the body that regulates unlicensed schools - the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocations Schools) that they would then (most likely) have to travel out of state to particiapte in.
For more information, please visit our Government Relations Page.