What is the Value of Certification?

Hello, Everyone.

Okay... so this isn't just about "Advanced Certification", but it's about certification in general.  I'd like to start a conversation about the value of certification.  Not just in massage, but in any field.

I know this can be a slippery slope, but there are plenty who are proud of their credentials and find them worth personal time and effort.  I hope they speak up and share their thoughts and feelings here.

Like most other certification bodies, we believe that our national certifications show a commitment to the profession; independently verify skills & knowledge for the practitioners, those they work with (or for), and their clients; and publicly demonstrate that the practitioner has agreed to abide by Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics created by peers.  The certifications also illustrate a commitment to ongoing education and professional development through the recertification process. These are great things - but fairly general.  Sometimes people need to hear the personal stories and testimonials of individuals.  

So... how has certification been of value to each of you out there, personally?

I'll start.  I am not certified by the NCBTMB: I am not a massage therapist.  I am, however, certified by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) as a Certified Association Executive (CAE). (Note: The CAE certification is completely voluntary and is not tied to regulation, so my experiences may be different than yours.)  While I have seen increased respect from my peers and more job openings for which I could apply, the greatest benefit for me - personally - is the process of learning that I embarked upon when I decided to become certified and that I have continued for each recertification. The CAE program stresses the importance of knowledge in all aspects of association management, regardless of your role or area of specialty (I have chosen to specialize in the management of certification bodies.)  This makes me better able to adapt to professional changes and challenges and makes me feel somehow more responsible.  I think that my credentials mean that I should do my best to serve as a mentor, not just as an example, to new or entry level association or certification professionals.  Sure, the certification looks good on my resume or business cards, but perhaps the other greatest benefit (I know... you can only have one "greatest", but mine are tied!) to my certification is the personal satisfaction of achievement and the confidence that came with it.

What does your certification mean to you?  Please share your story.

Liz

Comments

[Heidi Carter]

I have a blog entry for Feb 24th, 2010 with a link to a recent Opinion article from the NY Times. Reading the article gave me a reason to blog about Massage Therapy and our relation(s) to Alternative Health and the stereotypes that go along with it. I have not expressed all that I could or wish too in my personal blog post and so I came here to read what was new in the world of the NCB. I am not currently practicing Massage Therapy but my certification is still current and I do hope to maintain it for another four years. I can say that I am admittedly resigned to a tacit personal understanding of why there is not a separate discussion topic on the issue of Mainstream Health Care Reform on any NCBTMB or FSMTB forum. So please check out my blog and if your not adverse to such 'hot topics' leave a comment and stop by any time.

[Arnold Askew]

I have had my NCTMB since 1993. However, I have never been asked about it by anyone, anywhere, at any time. In fact, I was going to let it expire this year, but at the last minute decided to renew. So, for the first time I took an online course for my ethics hours. The course was approved by NCB. It was so simplistic an idiot could have passed it. If the purpose of the NCB is to improve the industry standards by certification then there should be some monitoring of what constitutes an approved continuing educational course. Given the lack of interest people have shown in my regular certification I really don’t think an advanced certification will do much for the industry.

[Jennifer Wagley]

Arnold,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. You raise a number of interesting issues and I‘d like to address each of them. First, however, I would like to thank you for choosing to recertify.

I am sorry to hear that no one has asked about your credential, but that should not prevent you from using it to promote your experience, expertise and commitment to excellence. If you do not already include the National Certification seal on your business cards and/or website, you may want to visit the Build Your Business section on our website -- http://www.ncbtmb.org/certificants_business_tools_logos_agreement.php -- and download the graphic for future use.

National Certification – and Advanced Certification – will become more important than ever as massage is incorporated into integrative healthcare. In fact, NCBTMB participated in last weekend’s national Integrative Healthcare Symposium, informing physicians, chiropractors, nurses and other healthcare providers about NCBTMB’s exam programs. Attendees were particularly interested in learning more about Advanced Certification, as well as NCB’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Many of them either already employ massage therapists or plan to as they expand their practices.

Regarding the CE course you took, please keep in mind that what is easy for you may pose quite a challenge to someone who does not possess the same level of experience and knowledge that you do.

Also, our NCCA accreditation does not allow us to accredit courses. We do, however, approve providers. In order to become an Approved Provider, an educator/organization must demonstrate that they have the background and skills necessary to:

* Identify relevant subject matter
* Create a curriculum
* Design measurable learning outcomes
* Manage time and classroom etiquette
* Develop an effective measurement tool to assess the outcomes
* Administer the marketing, promotion and record-keeping necessary
* Utilize student feedback to make continuous quality improvements

I hope that this answers some of your concerns.

Jennifer Wagley
Director of Communications

[Emmanuel Bistas]

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for relating your personal certification story. The key difference between your path and the path of NCB-certified therapists is the "voluntary" part.

Because your certification is voluntary, taking the initiative to pursue it shows that you value it. Taking that extra step to take the exam and go through the certification process separates yourself from the rest and says a lot about you and your commitment to your profession.

It is different with NCB certification. Since many states require the NCE as part of the licensing process, a newly licensed therapist who takes the NCE to become licensed can become certified by paying $50. No extra steps involved other than mailing in a 'conversion' form with the fee.

I think that certification would be valued much more in our profession if it were a voluntary process, as it used to be. If it were voluntary, I don't think we would be talking about 'advanced' certification right now; 'certification' alone would mean that a certified professional has elected to go through a more rigorous process than others who didn't. That is not the case with NCE though.

[Laura Allen]

I've been NCMBT for ten years. Although no client that I recall has ever specifically commented on that, most of my staff is certified as well, and all of our certificates and licenses are displayed on the wall right inside our door, which does get some "Wow, that's impressive!" comments from people.

[Liz Langston]

Hi, Emmanuel.

Thanks for reading and participating in our blog! I think you meant to address your comments to me, not Jennifer, so I’m replying to you.

I agree that people who volunteer to become certified demonstrate personal initiative and a commitment to the profession. I’d like to point out that NCB does not mandate or require National Certification (nor do we have the authority to do so). Our certification is technically voluntary. However, thirty-seven states recognize the value of our examinations and/or our certifications to such a degree that they have chosen to use them as part of their licensure process.

I’d also like to point out that converting from NESL to certification involves more than sending in $50 – you have to document the completion of the educational requirements; grant permission for a background check and answer the related questions; and agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practices.

Advanced Certification is a completely different credential. The NCTM and NCTMB are for entry level practitioners. The advanced credential will be for advanced practitioners. There are a number of other fields that offer certification for different levels of expertise. We are doing the same for massage therapy and hope that it will further ‘professionalize’ the field in the eyes of not only practitioners but of those who work in the integrative and traditional healthcare communities.

Liz

[Emmanuel Bistas]

Hi Liz, yes, this was a reply to your post, I am sorry for the confusion.

About the NESL conversion, state licensing typically requires the exact same thing that conversion requires: completion of the educational requirements as demonstrated by a transcript, fingerprinting and a background check, and compliance with the massage licensing law. With the exception of $50 and the issuance of a certificate, a licensed therapist who just entered the profession has practically the same credentials before and after the conversion process. In some cases actually, the state requirements may be more stringent that NCB's as more hours may be required, distance learning is not accepted, portfolio review may not be applicable, etc. In those cases, licensing may actually be a more advanced credential than certification.

Regarding the 37 states accepting the exam, it was not necessarily a 'choice'. There were no other exams to choose from. The AMTA lobbyists had much to do with the NCE being part of the process. I think that's where the certification process started getting diluted. Later on, those states that chose to stray were threatened with lawsuits.

I appreciate the hard work of the NCB staff and I really hope that my comments are not taken as being anti-NCB. I just think that a voluntary certification would be so much more meaningful and consistent with a vision of the profession that has licensure separate from certification, as traditional healthcare does. Then consumers (and other integrative and traditional healthcare professionals) would be drawn to the certified individuals because they understand that those practitioners went the extra mile to prove themselves. It may be that the Advanced Credential will become that voluntary credential that I am talking about, but in the absence of clarity in terminology, the Advanced National Certification would cannibalize the National Certification (If someone is "advanced" they are certainly "entry level", right?)

[Karen Zaharatos]

I would like to address what seems to frustration regarding NCBTMB credentials. The NCBTMB is still in infant stages when compared with other credentialing agencies. It takes time to not only get the name out. In my opinion, the first ten years the NCBTMB was in operation was just to organize and find their message to determine how best to serve the massage profession. After many years of "soul searching" I believe the NCBTMB is on solid ground for helping the massage profession become a true and respected profession by taking the necessary steps to organize the massage profession to create employment avenues, livable wages with benefits.

All companies and organizations goes through growing pains and if they still can remain in tact after the necessary years of growing pains are resolute in their mission.

In my opinion, while its been a rocky road, the NCBTMB has renewed my faith that massage therapy has a viable, necessary place in the 21st century integrated health and certification for massage modalities will secure our place.

Thank you NCBTMB for your efforts, persistence and and vision for the massage profession.

[Susan L Chapelle]

I am a Canadian RMT, and I want to express my thanks that you are working towards advanced certification. The USA needs to integrate itself with other health care practitioners with a higher standard of education. If we are to integrate massage therapy into the health care system, the US needs to move from a 500 hour standard of education to a higher standard. Reading the blogs I am in disbelief as to the resistance to any standardization. Having said this, i agree with the other blogger that an idiot can pass the exam, and this does not set any standard for a movement to standardized and integrative profession into health care.

I wish you all the best with the advanced certification, and hope that you make it close to what we consider base level education just across your border.

[Dennis M. Nelson]

I agree with Susan and envy the reputation massage therapists have in Canada (thank you Susan). I am an TM instructor at a college that offers an Associate of Applied Science in Therapeutic Massage. In order to enter the medical field and be respected by physicians, I feel we should have a minimum of four years of college instead of 500-1000 hours. This is not enough for what we can do as neuromuscular therapists. I am bold enough to say that some day we can be physicians and should put ourselves on that track with proper education and certification.
If we can have an advanced certification that distiguishes us as, possible to say- medical massage practitioners, then we should do so. Otherwise, we get what we have now from the medical community that we are nothing more that entertainment for relaxation. Yes, we definitely need advanced certification. And, in my opinion, it is not happening quickly enough. Thank you.

[Cheryl Baisley]

In response to Mr. Askew's comment regarding the ethics continuing education course that was 'so simplistic an idiot could have passed it', I have to say that this is unfortunate, but can happen.

While I agree with Ms. Wagley that this same program may have been challenging to another therapist, in my experience if a layperson can complete a course test without having any massage education and without having studied any of the program materials, then it is likely an unfit program for continuing education and the validity of the providership should be put into question.

While the NCBTMB cannot approve courses they do approve providers that offer continuing education. As such, the NCBTMB does audit continuing education providers. Therefore, you might consider reporting the provider to the NCBTMB for further investigation.

Cheryl Baisley
Programming Director
Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies
www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

[Natalie]

I would say that this whole "advanced credentials gig" is funny, but from a business point of view, I totally understand it. $225 (initial cert) + $125 (renew) = $88/per applicant during the first 4 years and $31 per year for consecutive years is pennies. Of course, we need Advanced Certifications! Great idea for revenue!

However, from the practitioner point of view, I would have never gotten NCBTMB in the first place if it weren't required for licensure in my State. What is the current certification for me? An additional expense. My clients don't need any papers - they come get a massage and have less problems later. There is no better credential than that. From my experience, I notice people who are anxious to get the next credential are very insecure and have mediocre results in their practice. (Not judging - everyone has their own path). But for me personally, if I want advanced "credentials", I would take some advanced classes to offer my clients better service.

I see the same thing happening in the other field I work in - IT. People either are great at what they do, or they are mediocre and have 100 certifications. When I was hiring a new person, I noticed that there is inverse relationship between the knowledge/experience and the number of certifications.

Likewise, in massage, individual's TALENT and interests matter, certifications are an unnecessary expense. It's a market. If you provide poor services - you will have no success. If you do great work - you will see that too, when you have more clients than you want. Very simple and easy. From the practitioner point of view.

More credentials are needed for NCBTMB's income statement. Not wrong. Just no use to me and the MTs I know.

[Deb]

I have read some of these very closely, some I scanned. I agree with Natalie who posted on 9/11. I have worked alone and along side many therapists over the years, the ability to do/or have a successful business is not determined by the amount of CEU's you have - it is a matter of the amount of "soul" and "compassion" you have that makes you a success, and that can not be taught.

The advanced education is fine for those who want it, if they feel they need it and LOVE to learn - great, it should stay voluntary. The real concern should be that it would divide therapists into two groups who do not see each as having value.

My current struggle involves education - what do you do when you retire, become disabled in some way, or just move rurally and far from any employment? Do all the "advanced" degrees help you keep the standing with NCBTMB. It hasn't for me. Not even a veteran with all this education, can 'dabble' now and then if CEU's are not kept up. There are no "part-time" older folks because we can not keep the pace of the younger people. Our education should count for something, and the organization SHOULD have place for us.

By having "advanced" catagories, my fear would be that the DIVIDE gets bigger, and the experience of the 'old wise ones' no longer matters. I would love to be able to practise until I die, but I do not see that happening with the system we have in place now.

[Jenn]

Deb really makes a good point. I have been a therapist for 10yrs but a few of those years have seen me very ill (surgery included) and moving to a rural community. I had a hard time getting everything needed to renew my Certification because of that. Why is it that my husband who is an RN has much less requirements for continuing to be an RN and pays less for his License than I ever have in any state I've worked in not to mention he pays less for malpractice insurance and most of his CEU's are free and the state we live in now doesn't even require CEU's for RN's. I can't help but think that this is because, as our Canadian friend pointed out, our initial schooling/entry level requirements are very low so it seems everyone is supposed to jump in the water and swim, learn what you really need once you are out of school. It's no wonder many graduates crash and burn after only a year or two. You have to have continuing education because the school didn't teach them near enough.

I'd also like to comment on the CEU courses. Many of the home courses make me wonder how they got approved. Most of them you don't really have to learn anything you just copy the answers from the book and anyone can do that. And why do we have to take an ethics course every 4 years... same info every time, ethics haven't changed, its still the same answers and giving the right answer doesn't mean you are ethical in your practice so how is that requirement helpful? I believe in education that actually educates, right now its a just a pain to sort through all of the "approved" courses to find one actually worth taking. And in reply to Jennifer who wrote...
"Regarding the CE course you took, please keep in mind that what is easy for you may pose quite a challenge to someone who does not possess the same level of experience and knowledge that you do."
If anyone has a hard time with an online multiple choice ethics course that is graded by a computer and lets you print out your certificate right then... there is a BIG problem. You had better have learned all that in school.

I keep up my certification so that if I have to move to a state that requires it I have it but it has been a burden to do and I have never been asked about it either in the 7 years I have had it. Whenever I hear replies from the NCB staff on different boards it always sounds like hollow excuses for something that is not really necessary. It has been eye opening to go from "I really want to be Certified", to realizing that it really doesn't matter. It has made no great impact on my life except to my pocket book.

Massage School.... $6000
NCBTMB Certification $225
CEU's for 4 years $800
Renewal Fee Every 4 Years $125
Realizing not one client would have noticed if you had never been Nationally Certified... Priceless.

[Christie Naeher]

I must say that I did let my certification expire due to the fact that no one has ever asked me for or even knows what the NCTMB certification means. I did renew it, however, because I am about to move to another State and felt that it might be of use there.

One of the questions that I do have about this advanced certification is where are we going to be taking this exam and who will be requiring it? I live in Virginia now and our industry is under the Board of Nursing. Will the Board of Nursing be requiring this exam and who will even know that this advanced certification exists in the client world? My clients only care if I am licensed, and now that I think about it, have taken my word that I am licensed and certified. No one has even asked to see my certifications, my license or any paperwork whatsoever to prove that I am who I say I am. The only people who have ever asked me to show my license is the townships in which I have worked in order to received a Business License and you. They don't care about any of your certifications just a license.

What exactly is the point of any of this???? I don't see it and I don't necessarily agree with it. I find it unnecessary and just more money you are trying to drag out of us. What are you going to do for me when I receive this advanced certification? No one has ever asked me if I am a member of NCTMB, no normal client even knows about you. I think I need more explanation on all of this or it seems redundant and unnecessary.

I am good at what I do because I decided to learn more than the average therapist. It was my decision to learn the modalities that will help me grow my business. What can NCTMB do for me unless I am looking for a job and even then, the only thing I have ever been asked to show is my state license and proof of insurance. No once cared if I was a NCTMB member or even what modalities I had only that I could do a great massage.

[Anonymous]

I feel the same way as some of these other therapists do. I am State Licensed, Nationally Certified, and City Licensed. You don't need to be nationally certified to have the State license. But you do for the city. So NCBTMB is and has always been a have to, not a want to. I have been practicing massage for so long that I don't want to learn any more massage so I just take these expensive ceu courses that don't interest me, along with the same ethics course that always teaches the same thing just to keep my NCBTMB. Now they to impliment an advanced certification? Here is my vote...my clients have NEVER asked what the NCBTMB is for. It has nothing to do with our business and everything to do with keeping other people in business. (all the people we have to pay to keep the NCBTMB active)