The candidate must fulfill each of the following program components:

•          Accumulate 500 hours of clinical experience as a Massage Therapist

•          Accumulate 500 hours of on-site field experience (a combination of work with sports teams, individual sporting events, and massage                 therapy school sport outreach programs – see details in the Required Practical Experience section).

•          Be a member of the CSMTA, in good standing, with dues paid in full;

•          Have a current Standard First Aid certificate;

For National Sport Organization (NSO) Massage Therapists:

If you accumulated hours prior to becoming a member of the CSMTA we can consider up to 350 documented hands on massage therapy hours up to three years prior to CSMTA Member application. Documentation is required.

As a Sport Candidate member, a minimum of 100 hours in team placement and 100 hours in field events will need to be fulfilled in order to take the practical exam.  

For Non - National Sport Organization Massage Therapists:

If you accumulated hours prior to becoming a member of the CSMTA we can consider up to 150 documented hands on massage therapy hours up to three years prior to CSMTA Member application. Documentation is required.

The certification examination consists of two (2) parts:

            A two-hour written exam;

            A two-hour oral/practical exam.

Once 350 hours of on-site practical hours are completed and documented the candidate is eligible to apply for the comprehensive Written Examination. Once 500 hours of clinical experience as a massage therapist, 500 hours of on-site practical hours are completed and upon receipt of Sport First Responder Certification documentation the candidate is eligible to apply for the comprehensive Oral/Practical Examination.

Note: Members in an unregulated province must complete CSMTA Education Program (formerly known as ISMDP) and extra requirements to be considered to challenge the written exam and oral practical.

When both parts of the Certification Examination are successfully completed and received by the National Office the designation of Sport Fellow or CSMTA (SF) is granted.

Required On Field Experience

The Sport Candidate must complete 500 hours of sport massage for certification, which a minimum of 375 hours must be hands on massage therapy. 

The breakdown of the 500 hours is indicated below.

• Minimum of 3 different sports (experience in a wide variety of sports is just as important as "specialization" in one or two types of sports);
  
• Minimum of one contact sport;
• Minimum of one non-contact sport;
• Minimum of one team placement.
  

All claimed hours must be signed by a third party (coach, team physician, head therapist, supervisor or manager) with contact information (telephone, or email)

 

Breakdown of 500 On-site Field Experience Hours

500 Hours:

• Minimum 375 hours hands on                                             
• Maximum 125 hours (hands off)
• Includes organizing event coverage maximum 50 hours, taping, stretching, First Responder, observing other therapists, remedial exercises.
  

 

School Outreach / Event Programs (this is non clinical event / outreach) 

Maximum 100 hours;

The Sport Candidate who attended schools with a sport massage segment in their curriculum that included a practical component may be allowed to claim a maximum of 100 hands-on hours.

Clinical work is not accepted , on field or on site placement

Team Placement

Minimum 100 hours of hands on massage

The sport candidate is responsible for finding placement with an organized sport team(s), i.e., hockey, football, boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, athletics, swimming, figure skating, gymnastics, diving, basketball,  etc.

Field experience includes, first responding, stretching, taping and advice, exercise rehabilitation, and therapeutic modalities (where the candidate has successfully completed a formal training program) provided to athletes during practices and competitions. Please note that these hours will be considered towards the non-hands on massage hours.

Travel time to and from practices and competitions cannot be counted.

Sport Team defined as:

A team is a group of individuals who agree to cooperate in order to achieve something as a team. In athletic competition, the individuals cooperate so that the team can win. To a great extent, that simply means that each individual tries his or her best.

 

Event Coverage Hours

Minimum of 100 hours of hands on massage

These events can include, but not limited to: 10Km races, marathons, high school basketball, volleyball, or soccer tournaments, charity events, or athletic events organized either by a CSMTA Provincial Chapter, a school, club or other organization that require sport massage and related services.

Hours may also include being available on-site for the time committed, observing other treatments, and operations of medical team, and any other field experience. Please note that these hours will be considered towards the non-hands on massage hours.

Performing pre and post-event and inter sport massage treatments are the primary focus and the hours required to be accumulated.

Travel time to and from practices and competitions cannot be counted.

 

Organizing Event Coverage

Maximum 50 hours

This is optional and only for those who have the skills to do so. Hours may include planning, mailing, scheduling, informing therapists of protocol, arranging parking, tables needed, supervising event, verifying hours by signing tally sheets etc., and developing public relations with the rest of the organizing committee.

These hours will be credited toward 500 hours of experience. These hours will be included within the Event Coverage Hours.

Reminder those that supervise at an event cannot gain hands on massage hours at the same time they supervise , nor a supervisor that is employed by an institution who sets up an event through the school to gain massage hands on hours

 

Total 375 Hands On Hours (summary)

Student hours                       Max 100 hours  - outreach / event only (hands on hours documented)

Team Placement                   Min 100 hours

Team Coverage                     Min 100 hours

 

 

For a detailed explanation or clarification of all requirements, members should consult the Candidate Handbook and/or contact the Membership Secretary at membership@csmta.ca.