National Convention Highlights! PLUS Special Offer

Connecting Hands

August 21, 2018

AMTA National Convention - Research is Key

Dear Massage Therapy Colleagues:

I was honored to represent our chapter at the AMTA National Convention celebrating 75 years of our association in Washington, DC! We are part of a vital, energetic and growing organization. It was wonderful to see how our work intercepts with the work of other chapters and our national organization. I’d like to share a few of my key take-a-aways from the convention:

Research is key to our future as a profession! From working with veterans to evidence-informed teaching strategies we need solid research to move our profession forward. Government and medicine are looking to science to support our claims about massage therapy. AMTA and organizations such as the Massage Therapy Foundation are moving us forward. Laura Allen spoke to us at our state convention in May about the importance of research and evidence-based massage practices. As a chapter I’d love for us to develop community service grant opportunities and community-based learning opportunities for our members. These opportunities need to be designed in such as way that data is gathered and shared so that the benefit of massage is illuminated through these efforts. Stay tuned!

From opioid addiction issues to care for veterans massage therapy has an important role in a safer, more integrated approach to health care. Legislation is important. AMTA National is working on a variety of fronts to keep massage at the forefront at the federal level. Our chapter is working on our legislative efforts in Wisconsin. Now is the time to advance our profession through protecting our license in the health field, elevating our standards and continuing to work on recognition and respect for the benefits of massage therapy. Check out AMTA's Massage Therapy in Integrative Care & Pain Management resource!

I was delighted to meet a few of our members at the convention who are not currently connected with chapter activities. It was great to be able to share with them what we are doing at the chapter level. Outreach to our chapter members is needed so that everyone is aware of our chapter activities and so that our chapter activities meet the needs of our membership . Please share your thoughts and ideas for our chapter with me! You can email me anytime jeffamtawi@gmail.com

Thank you for letting me represent you as your chapter president. I am humbled and honored to serve in a great organization representing our chapter.

Enriching the profession together,

Jeffrey Montoya

AMTA WI Chapter President

New Board Certification Renewal Requirements

To further align with healthcare professions and embrace similar competency-based criteria, NCBTMB announced new Board Certification Initial and Renewal Requirements, effective August 3, 2018 .

The *NEW* Board Certification Renewal Requirements:

Pass a criminal background check (performed by NCBTMB)
Agree to uphold NCBTMB’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
$85 Renewal Fee + $25 Background Check Fee
Complete 24 CEs from NCBTMB Approved Providers

3 CEs must be Ethics
3 CEs must be in Research

As reflected above, NCBTMB no longer requires 100 hours of professional, hands-on work experience for any Certificant renewing as of 08/03/2018 or later. If your Board Certification expiration date was prior to 08/03/2018, and you were unable to renew your credential due to this requirement, please contact us .

In addition to the updated Board Certification Renewal Requirements, NCBTMB also announced new Initial Board Certification Requirements and an updated Board Certification Exam. While such changes do not apply to you as a current Certificant, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the changes by reading the full press release below. Click here to read the press release.

Upcoming Events

AMTA National Convention Lessons

Read the lessons learned at the AMTA 2018 National Convention from your fellow AMTA-WI members.

Click here to read their stories

AMTA-WI Save the Date

Our next Government Relations call is scheduled for September 18 at 7:30pm. Mark your calendar! There are upcoming legislative activities that will require as much member participation as possible. Call details coming soon.

Special Edition T-Shirt

Limited Time Only

On the heels of Life is Good co-founder Bert Jacobs' keynote at the AMTA 2018 National Convention, the brand is bringing back a special graphic from their original archive exclusively for friends of AMTA.

Click here to order your limited edition t-shirt by August 24.

Claude Gagnon 1958-2018

Claude was instrumental in our field serving on state boards, volunteering for AMTA-WI and national committees of AMTA. In 2001 he was honored with the AMTA Distinguishing Service award. His work paved the way for our state license and advanced our field. May his memory be eternal.