All of your therapists are licensed, and some have
certifications. What is the difference?

A license is issued from a state or municipal regulating agency as a requirement for conducting a business or practicing a trade or profession. In 1916 Ohio became the first state to require licensing for the practice of massage therapy and it is the only state that has its licensing from a state Medical Board.

A certification is a document that is awarded in recognition of an accomplishment or achieving or maintaining some kind of standard. A certification may be given for successfully completing a course of study or passing an examination showing a level of proficiency or ability. Schools, institutions and professional organizations can award certifications.

Of the other states that require licensing, many have as part of that requirement the passing of the National Certification Exam from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Ohio does not require this certification as part of its licensing process. For therapists in Ohio, having the NCTMB certification is another step in proficiency and commitment to the profession. NCTMB is a credential therapeutic massage and bodywork practitioners may hold by meeting certain eligibility criteria, taking and passing an examination, upholding a national Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and demonstrating continued education in the field.