Becoming a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in PEI
Under provincial regulation, massage therapy means the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, relieve pain or promote health.
Where a health profession has been designated as a regulated health profession under the Regulated Health Professions Act, no person shall practise the regulated health profession except as a member of the College of Massage Therapists of Prince Edward Island (CMTPEI).
Practising massage therapy without a valid registration with CMTPEI is prohibited by law.
The titles, abbreviations, and initials of massage therapists — including Massage Therapist (MT) and Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) — are protected under the Regulated Health Professions Act and shall only be used by those who are duly registered with the College. This title protection applies to the French equivalents.
Registration Requirements - All Applicants
According to PEI's Regulated Health Professions Act, all new applicants must:
- Have successfully completed a post-secondary diploma or degree program in massage therapy approved by the Council
- Have passed a competency exam in a regulated Canadian province that has been approved by Council
- Have passed the Jurisprudence Examination
In addition, applicants must:
- Be entitled to work in Canada;
- Have reasonable proficiency in written and spoken English;
- Where applicable, meet requirements with respect to currency of professional knowledge and skills set out in the regulations;
- Where applicable, be in good standing with the professional regulatory body regulating the practise of a health profession or the use of titles relating to the practise of a health profession, in each jurisdiction in which the applicant was previously authorized to practise massage therapy or use a title relating to the practise of massage therapy;
- Not have been found guilty of an offence that, in the Council's opinion, renders the applicant unsuitable to practise the regulated health profession; and
- Not have been disciplined by a professional regulatory body for misconduct, incompetency or incapacity that, in the Council's opinion, renders the applicant unsuitable to practise the regulated health profession.
More information: Laws, Ethics and Standards
PEI has two Registers for which massage therapists may apply:
- General Register – where most massage therapists regularly practising in PEI are registered
- Special Register – where massage therapists registered in other regulated provinces in Canada apply to practise in PEI for a limited time period and special purpose
Massage Therapists Registered in Regulated Canadian Provinces
Under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), regulated professions, including Massage Therapy, have mutual recognition of credentials across provinces. This means that a Massage Therapist who is registered and in good standing with a College in a regulated province, can apply for registration with the College of Massage Therapists of PEI. All applicants must take and pass the PEI Jurisprudence Examination to become registered with CMTPEI.
Massage Therapists Trained in Canada
Applicants who have graduated from a Canadian Massage Therapy program of 2200 hours (or more) and have successfully completed a competency exam in a regulated province must take and pass the PEI Jurisprudence Examination to become registered with CMTPEI.
If you don't meet the education requirements:
Applicants who have not graduated from a Canadian Massage Therapy program of 2200 hours (or more) or who have not written a competency exam in a regulated province must have their Massage Therapy education assessed.
If the prior training is deemed equivalent to programs approved by the CMTPEI Council, applicants must also successfully complete a competency exam in a regulated province.
Internationally Trained Massage Therapists
Internationally trained massage therapists must undergo a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process before applying to register with CMTPEI.
If you are an immigrant settling in PEI and are looking to practise massage therapy, you can ask for help with the registration process from the Employment Services with Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI (IRSA).