To become a massage therapist, attending the massage therapy schools in Vancouver or other massage therapy schools in British Columbia means you have taken a step closer to your dreams.
Registered massage therapists are educated and trained to evaluate individual health needs, and most importantly to provide passive and active techniques for patient care.
Registered massage therapists are also known for their ability to provide an assessment, and differential diagnosis of specific soft tissues and musculoskeletal conditions.
Furthermore, registered massage therapists treat the muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems to improve patient health.
In this article, we will be looking at the massage therapy schools in Vancouver, as well as the education and training that those aspiring to become massage therapists will go through.
Massage Therapy Education and Training
Graduates of massage therapy are individuals who have gone through a 2-year rigorous education program.
To become a massage therapist in British Columbia, students must complete extensive training in an educational program that is recognized by the College of Massage Therapists of BC.
In terms of the curriculum of the massage therapy educational program, the following comprehensive studies in health sciences are encompassed in the curriculum:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pathology
- Kinesiology and neuro-anatomy.
Other areas of study that are covered in the curriculum include clinical sciences such as:
- Manual skills
- Orthopedics
- Remedial exercise
- Hydrotherapy and patient education
Individuals who have attended a program that is not recognized by the College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC) are advised to contact the regulator at info@cmtbc.ca.
The List of Massage Therapy Schools in Vancouver with Recognized Massage Therapy Education Programs
In BC, a number of institutions offer massage therapy education programs.
If you are planning to enroll in a BC massage therapy education program, with the aim of becoming a registered massage therapist, it is very vital to note that only graduates of programs offered by institutions that are registered with and accredited by the Private Training Institutions Branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education Agency (PTIB) and recognized by the College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC) are eligible to write the registration exams.
PTIB and CMTBC recognized massage therapy education programs, who are also members of the RMTBC are:
- Langara College
- Vancouver College of Massage Therapy – Vancouver Campus
1. Langara College
- 100 West 49th Avenue
Vancouver B.C.
V5Y 2Z6
604-323-5511 - www.langara.bc.ca/rmt
- Duration: 2 years, full-time
- Year 1: $14,565 ($4,855 per semester)
- Year 2: $14,565
- Books: approx $3,500
- Supplies: $1,200
- Non-refundable application fee: $100
Langara’s RMT Program offers an extensive content review in both Semester 5 and 6 with over 330 hours of preparation for the CMTBC provincial registration examinations, making them one of the massage therapy schools in Vancouver.
Their RMT instructors have been described as “the best in the province”, and most have been with Langara since the inception of the Program.
You will be taught by instructors who are excellent role models, and passionate about preparing students to be excellent RMTs.
They choose to teach at Langara because they know it takes excellent preparation to begin a career as an RMT – a comprehensive instructional program.
Langara’s Diploma in Registered Massage Therapy is on the list of recognized schools in the CMTBC bylaws.
Langara is accredited by the national accrediting body for massage therapy education in Canada, the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA).
2. Vancouver College of Massage Therapy – Vancouver Campus
- #300-1050 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC, V6E 3S7
P: 1-(604) 681-4450
VCMT Vancouver College of Massage Therapy - Full-time program: $31,500
- Part-time program: $34,500
The Vancouver College of Massage Therapy provides BC’s premier education to aspiring registered massage therapists.
Their graduates are exceedingly successful on the CMTBC Registration Exams and are highly sought after in the marketplace, and enjoy rewarding careers making a difference in the lives of their patients.
Their full-time program is 20 months long, comprised of five semesters with week-long breaks in between.
Students attend school five days per week, from 8:30 am-4:30 pm, with occasional evenings and weekends for clinical placement shifts.
Other Top Massage Therapy Schools in Vancouver
- Vancouver School of Healing Arts
- Heartspace Massage and Healing Arts
- Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy
- Bodhi Thai Massage
Vancouver School of Healing Arts:
- 280-1125 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K8 Downtown
Vancouver School of Healing Arts has over 17 years of experience preparing graduates as wellness practitioners.
Their Programs are approved through the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education & Private Training Institutions Branch.
Heartspace Massage and Healing Arts:
- Medical Arts Building
825 Granville Street – Suite 609
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 1K9
778•819•6833
Heartpace’s intention is to provide quality training in Thai Massage, other styles of massage, and healing arts for individuals who desire to acquire a rewarding and fulfilling skill, and others who want to further their education in this field.
Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy:
- 1058 Mainland Street
Suite 116
Vancouver, BC V6B 2T4
Yaletown, Downtown
This is one of the massage therapy schools in Vancouver that offers both Career Programs that will give you what you need to start a career in Shiatsu and individual courses that will teach you the basics of Shiatsu. Visit their website.
Bodhi Thai Massage:
- Suite 7 – 5729 West Boulevard
(Cross West 41st Avenue)
Vancouver, BC., V6M 3W8
Bodhi Thai Massage is one of the massage therapy schools in Vancouver where you can learn authentic Thai massage through accredited training workshops with world-renowned Thai massage instructors with many years of experience.
Workshops are short, intensive, practical; and can be quickly put to use.
Other PTIB and CMTBC recognized massage therapy education programs in BC, that are also members of the RMTBC are:
- CDI College – South Surrey Campus
- Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy (OVCMT)
- West Coast College of Massage Therapy – New Westminster Campus
- Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences
CDI College – South Surrey Campus:
- Address: 105 – 15149 BC-10, South Surrey, V3S 9A5
- Cost:
Tuition: $31,400
Application Fee: $150
Administration Fees: $325
Material Fees: $2,600
Total: $34,500
CDI College is one of the leading career training centers in Canada that offers over 50 certificate and diploma programs being offered at different campus locations across the country.
This institution gives students the opportunity to study, work, and live close to their homes.
Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy (OVCMT):
- Address: #200 – 3400 30th Avenue, Vernon, V1T 2E2
- Cost:
Year 1 Tuition: $13,980
Year 2 Tuition: $15,965
Books and supplies: $1840 for year one and $660 for year two
The institution has been awarded as the first Nationally Accredited Massage Therapy program in Canada.
West Coast College of Massage Therapy – New Westminster Campus:
- 613 Columbia Street, New Westminster, V3M 1A7
- Cost:
Domestic Tuition: $30,500
International Tuition: $34,800
This is one of the massage therapy schools in Vancouver that has provided massage therapy education for 35 years in British Columbia.
Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences:
- 203-402 Baker Street, Nelson, V1L4H9
- Cost:
Domestic Fees - Year 1:$16,140
- Year 2:$15,840
- Total: $32,000
International Fees - Year 1:$19,140
- Year 2:$18,800
- Total:$37,900
The Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Health Sciences (KCCIHS), formerly the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences (ACOS) is accredited by the Private Training Institutes Branch and is operating for over 20 years now.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in British Columbia
- Complete your training in the massage therapy schools in Vancouver or any in Brith Columbia.
Once you have completed your training, you need to be certified through the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia, or the CMTBC.
To be certified, you will need to pass and maintain records about your massage training, both current and future. - Submit Your Application: The first step is to submit your application, which involves both filling out your application online and uploading the required documentation.
You will need your diploma which you have obtained from your massage therapy training program.
You will also need a passport-quality photo.
You’ll also need to pay for your exam, which is $1,200. - Scheduling Your Exam: After submitting the application, you will be able to take the exam in either the winter or summer.
When you submit your application and pay your registration fee you will be able to select the date and time for your examination. - Registering For Your License: After the exam and having received your passing results, the next thing is to register with the CMTBC.
You will need to submit three letters of reference and also proof of your eligibility to work in Canada.
A first-aid certificate and proof of liability insurance, as well as a criminal background check, are also required.
After all the certification is submitted and you have paid your registration fees, then you’ll be a registered massage therapist in British Columbia.
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Massage Therapy Schools in Vancouver Footnote:https://www.rmtbc.ca/become-a-rmt/