National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

What National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork does

NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) is an independent, private nonprofit credentialing organization founded in 1992, with operational headquarters in Evanston, IL, and a registered office in Virginia. Its sole corporate Member is the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and it is governed by an independently elected five-member Certification Board plus CEO Shelly Johnson. NCBTMB issues the Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB), the highest voluntary credential in the massage therapy profession, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). It also administers the Approved Provider Program for continuing education, the MTAC preparation assessment, a public directory, and (through June 3, 2026) the Assigned School Program, which is being transitioned to COMTA.

The organization operates a web-based credentialing platform (my.ncbtmb.org) that supports online applications, CE reporting, exam scheduling via Prometric's nationwide testing center network, and digital badging through Credly. Board Certification candidates take the 140-question BCETMB exam (2024 pass rate: 50%), a criminal background check, and agree to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics; the 120-question MTAC provides diagnostic scoring across five content domains. Core technology is conventional credential-management SaaS, with Prometric handling exam delivery and Credly providing verifiable digital credentials — there is no disclosed AI/ML capability.

NCBTMB generates revenue primarily through a one-time $275 Board Certification application fee, a $140 biennial renewal, MTAC fees of $135, Approved Provider fees of $225 (individuals) or $450 (organizations) for 3-year approval, and ancillary charges ($35 per course review, $40 per state score report, $5 processing fees). It serves over 10,000 Board Certificants, 2,000+ Approved Providers, and (pending transition) 250+ Assigned Schools, distributing its programs through a self-serve portal, the Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations, video testimonials, social media, and a public directory — a community-led, inside-sales go-to-market model with no enterprise customers.

Name

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

Legal name

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Inc.

Website

https://ncbtmb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCBTMB is an independent nonprofit founded in 1992 that issues the NCCA-accredited Board Certification (BCTMB), the highest voluntary credential for U.S. massage therapists, and accredits continuing education providers serving 10,000+ certificants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Credentialing Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Certifications (EDAAANAI)

Keywords

• Professional certification services
• Continuing education approval
• Massage therapy credentialing
• Board certification exams
• Professional standards oversight

Headquarters

HQ city

Burr Ridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Board Certification Fees: One-time application fee of $275 for initial Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB), covering eligibility review, background check, and exam scheduling. Plus $140 biennial renewal fee.
2. MTAC Assessment Fees: Massage Therapy Assessment for Certification (MTAC) fee of $135 per candidate, including application, exam, and criminal background check.
3. Approved Provider Program Fees: Approved Provider applications: $225 for individuals, $450 for organizations or conference/tradeshow providers. Each new course submission costs $35. Three-year validity, renewable at the same rate.
4. Course Review Fees: NCBTMB charges $35 per new course submitted for review and approval. Conferences/tradeshows: $50 per 1–50 courses, $50 per each additional 1–50 courses. New York Sponsorship approval: $450.
5. Score Report and Duplicate Certificate Fees: Score reports sent to state licensing boards: $40 per report. Duplicate certificate requests: fee with $5 processing charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NCBTMB is an independent, private nonprofit credentialing organization that administers Board Certification (BCTMB) for massage therapists through a rigorous computer-based examination, criminal background checks, and adherence to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. It also operates the Approved Provider Program, which evaluates and approves continuing education providers and courses that Board Certificants must complete for biennial renewal.

Product overview

NCBTMB offers a credentialing platform with three main programs: Board Certification (BCTMB®) as the highest credential for massage therapists, the Approved Provider Program for continuing education providers, and the Assigned Schools Program (in transition as of June 2026). Supporting products include MTAC (preparation assessment), Online Practice Exam, and Directory Services for verificaton. The organization serves over 10,000 Board Certificants, 2,000+ Approved Providers, and 250+ Assigned Schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Board Certification (BCTMB) The highest credential within the massage therapy and bodywork profession. Requires passing the Board Certification Exam (BCETMB), criminal background check, and agreement to uphold NCBTMB's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Provides biennial renewal with 24 CE hours.
• Approved Provider Program Approval program for massage therapy continuing education providers (individuals and organizations) and their courses. Approved Providers gain access to the 10K+ Board Certificant audience that must earn 24 CEs from Approved Providers every two years.
• Massage Therapy Assessment for Certification (MTAC) A personalized 120-question assessment of an individual's strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the Board Certification Exam, covering Massage Modalities, Applied Science, Professional Communication, Professionalism and Ethics, and Laws and Business Practices.
• Online Practice Exam Exclusive online practice exam containing Level 1 (entry-level) questions to prepare for licensing exams, and Level 2 questions to prepare for the Board Certification (BCETMB) exam.
• Directory Services Online directory enabling search of Board Certified Therapists, Assigned Schools, Approved CE Providers, and Courses, with verification functionality for state boards, employers, and the general public.
• Assigned Schools Program Program for massage therapy schools to become assigned to NCBTMB. NCBTMB is transitioning out of this program as of June 3, 2026, referring schools to COMTA for accreditation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2024 BCETMB Pass Rate: 50%
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026NCBTMB and COMTA announced a strategic collaboration as NCBTMB transitions out of its Assigned School Program. NCBTMB will focus on Board Certification and the Approved Provider Program while supporting COMTA's leadership in school accreditation and curriculum endorsement. NCBTMB will no longer accept new school applications for the Assigned School Program beginning June 3, 2026. Current Assigned Schools will maintain status through their expiration dates. The partnership underscores each organization's commitment to upholding the highest standards in the massage therapy profession.
• Coalition of National Massage Therapy OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCBTMB is a proud member of the Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations, alongside ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals), AFMTE (Alliance for Massage Therapy Education), AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association), COMTA, FSMTB (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards), and MTF (Massage Therapy Foundation). The coalition collectively elevates the massage therapy profession through advocacy, education, and credentialing standards.
• PrometriccoreTechnology or IntegrationNCBTMB partners with Prometric, a computer-based testing solutions provider, to administer the BCETMB and MTAC exams. Prometric operates testing centers across all U.S. states. Candidates schedule exams within their 90-day eligibility window through Prometric's platform.
• American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMTA is the sole Member of NCBTMB per the bylaws (incorporated in Virginia). AMTA's Board of Directors exercises all Member rights. This governance relationship makes AMTA the ultimate supervisory body of NCBTMB's operations.
• Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerABMP is a member of the Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations and its logo appears alongside other coalition members on NCBTMB's website, indicating cross-promotional and collaborative marketing relationships.
• Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAFMTE is a member of the Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations and its logo appears alongside other coalition members on NCBTMB's website, indicating cross-promotional and collaborative marketing relationships.
• Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFSMTB is a member of the Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations and its logo appears alongside other coalition members on NCBTMB's website, indicating cross-promotional and collaborative marketing relationships.
• Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMTF is a member of the Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations and its logo appears alongside other coalition members on NCBTMB's website, indicating cross-promotional and collaborative relationships.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA): AMTA is the largest US massage therapy membership association and NCBTMB's sole Member under the bylaws. Directly comparable as a leading massage therapy professional organization with broader membership, advocacy, and continuing education scope than NCBTMB's credentialing focus.
• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): NBCC is a long-established NCCA-accredited healthcare professional certification body. Comparable as a peer credentialing nonprofit operating the same NCCA-accredited certification model at greater scale in the counseling field, providing a structural benchmark for NCBTMB's operating approach.
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA): NCCPA is the NCCA-accredited certifying body for physician assistants. Comparable as a healthcare professional certification nonprofit demonstrating the scale and governance model NCBTMB's credentialing program could reach as massage therapy professionalization advances.
• National Certification Corporation (NCC): NCC provides NCCA-accredited certification for nurses in obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal specialties. Comparable as an NCCA-accredited healthcare certification nonprofit with comparable credentialing economics (application fees, biennial renewals, CE requirements).

Direct peers

• Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP): ABMP is a major membership association for massage therapists and bodyworkers and a fellow Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations member. Directly comparable as a competing professional association serving the same licensed massage therapist population with overlapping CE and credentialing offerings.
• Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB): FSMTB coordinates state licensure through the MBLEx exam and is a fellow Coalition member. Directly comparable as a credentialing/standardization body operating in the same massage therapy regulatory ecosystem, though focused on state-level licensure rather than voluntary board certification.
• Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA): COMTA accredits massage therapy schools and has assumed NCBTMB's Assigned School Program effective June 2026. Directly comparable as a massage therapy accreditation organization, now positioned as NCBTMB's strategic partner handling a complementary credentialing vertical.
• Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE): AFMTE represents massage therapy educators and schools and is a fellow Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations member. Comparable as a stakeholder organization in the same credentialing ecosystem, particularly relevant given the Assigned School Program transition.
• Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF): MTF is a fellow Coalition of National Massage Therapy Organizations member focused on research and education in massage therapy. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit in the same professional ecosystem, addressing complementary aspects of massage therapy professionalization.

Others

• Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE): ICE is the parent organization of the NCCA, which accredits NCBTMB's Board Certification. Comparable as the standards-setting body whose accreditation framework NCBTMB operates within, relevant for understanding credentialing governance and best practices.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ncbtmb
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ncbtmbtv
• Facebookfacebook.com/NCBTMB
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-certification-board-for-therapeutic-massage-and-bodywork

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork