Registered Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy Courses

The Registered Massage Therapy program at Vancouver Career College provides massage therapy courses to prepare you to treat various conditions and injuries and increase your patients' overall health and wellness. You will learn different techniques, theories, and methods of massage, assessment protocols, principles of treatment, and therapeutic exercises. Study everything from anatomy, physiology, neurology, massage theory, and more.

In addition, you will examine the scope of RMT practice in BC and business considerations, such as clinic ownership, leases, and taxation.

Program Description

We currently offer a full-time program of 88 weeks, comprising eight semesters. Each semester is 11 weeks long, with typically 1-2 week breaks in between. Students attend school five days a week, typically from 8:30am-4:00pm, with the occasional evening and weekend clinical shifts.

Academic Requirements for Admissions

- High school graduation or equivalent
- English 12 (C+); ABE Provincial Level English (70%); LPI Level 5; or equivalent
- Introduction to Massage Workshop course delivered by an accredited institution of massage therapy. [Offered by our college.]

Administrative Requirements for Admissions

- Interview with campus director, program coordinator, or designate

Work Experience Placement Requirements

(Practicum, Clinical Placement or Preceptorship)

- Criminal record check (in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act)
- Up-to-date immunization report (form provided by college)
Note: Please refer to Student Handbook for more information.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admissions

English 12	C+ minimum
Grade 12 level English in the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program	70% minimum
Learning Proficiency Index (LPI)	Level 5
Post-secondary English or communications course	Pass
One full module (4 weeks) or the full 12-week ‘English Essentials’ course offered at our College*	70% minimum
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Format	6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in any category)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based test (iBT)	85 (minimum 21 any category)
Undergraduate (bachelor) degree from a post-secondary institution where English is the language of instruction	All programs

*Note: a challenge exam is available for ‘English Essentials’ – one attempt only.

Our Staff and Faculty

Our leadership team is committed to delivering the highest quality education in Massage Therapy. We have a diverse range of instructors, including successful Registered Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, and skilled health science educators. Our dedicated instructors work closely with Program, Clinic, and Academic Coordinators and the Administrative team to create a comprehensive and enriching learning experience.

Graduate with a Multitude of Experience

Throughout the 88-week program, you will have ample opportunities to practice your skills in a supervised Student Clinic. Working closely with clinic supervisors, you will build on new competencies, interact with clients, and develop complete treatment approaches.

Graduation Requirements

- Successful completion of all on-campus courses with a 65% overall average. [Individual course requirements are provided at the beginning of each course.]
- Successful completion of all industry-certified courses provided during the program.
- Successful completion of all (five) practice education components

As a Registered Massage Therapy program graduate, you will have acquired the specific competencies and met all practical clinical requirements and all specific competencies as listed in the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation occupational Competency Profile. Our experienced instructors have worked in the industry and will prepare you to become a skilled and well-equipped massage therapist.

Accreditation

The Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) registrar of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training has approved this program.
The program is also accredited by the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation CMTCA (click here for more information).
Graduates of a CMTCA-accredited program qualify to register and take the College of Complimentary Health Professionals of British Columbia CCHPBC board exams (click here for more information).

Info sessions

To attend an Information Session, take a tour of our campus, or join us as a Student for a Day to observe a day in the life of our students, please email Admissions by clicking on the link here.
The program is offered as an in-person program.

The start days for the next cohort for the Abbotsford campus are:
January 20 - Morning Classes Mon - Fri, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
July 14 - Morning Classes Mon - Fri, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The start days for the next cohort for the Burnaby campus are:
June 30 - Morning Classes Mon - Fri, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Student Massage Clinic

Get massage therapy treatment for student rates at the Burnaby campus. As part of their training, students provide services under the supervision of a trained, experienced, and registered massage therapist.
Book your appointment today.

Please note the following:

- Before the massage begins, clients will be asked to complete various assessments to help our students learn.
- Massages are 60 minutes long and include your assessment.
- You may only book one appointment per day.
- First- and second-year students are available. Not all students in the first year have been trained in 90-minute massages.

This program is approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of British Columbia.

The Registered Massage Therapy program is offered in person at the Burnaby and Abbotsford campuses.

For more information about our college policies, click the link below:
Student Handbook    Dispute Resolution Policy    Sexual Misconduct Policy    Refund Policy

This program is 88 weeks in length.