What is the purpose of legislation?

• To protect the public. 
• Members of the public will be ensured that anyone calling themselves a Massage Therapist or a Registered Massage Therapist is a member in good standing of the SCMT (Saskatchewan College of Massage Therapy), which will be the regulator of massage therapists if the legislation moves forward.

Why did MTAS put forward a request to the Government for self-regulation?

• MTAS has been working towards regulation of the Massage Therapy Profession for over fifteen years as the association believes that there is a public protection issue. 
• Saskatchewan Massage Therapist Association (SMTA), London and Counties Society of Physiologists Canadian Branch (LSCP) and Provincial Society of Remedial Massage Therapists (PSRMT) merged in 1996 in order to work together to better serve their members.  This included adherence to specific educational standards, and to pursue legislation with the Saskatchewan Government.

Is this proposed Legislation exclusive to MTAS members only?

• No.  Membership in the SCMT would be available to anyone who meets the requirements as determined by the SCMT. 

Will the Government be able to set my fee rates, work hours if massage therapy becomes regulated?

• It should be noted that the Government typically leaves the overseeing of the day to day affairs of self-regulating profession to the regulator.  Therefore, the government will not be setting work hours, fees, etc. for massage therapists.
• Compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) will be mandated to ensure the confidentiality and security of health care information.  This is already a current policy of the MTAS, so there would be no change to your current practice.

Will I have to write another exam?

• It is expected that all applicants will have to go through an assessment process for entry into the Saskatchewan College of Massage Therapy (SCMT).
• No - if you are a massage therapist coming from another regulated province.  Further, any non-MTAS member who has written and mastered a recognized Board exam would not have to write the College qualifying exam.
• It is expected that therapists who have not mastered an entry to practice exam, have obtained a minimum of 2,200 hours of massage therapy education, and who belong to other massage therapy associations, will be required to go through an assessment process prior to acceptance into the SCMT.
• CPLA (Credential and Prior Learning Assessments) will be available to those who do not meet the minimum 2,200 hour educational requirement.   Further details will be posted when the process is fully developed in consultation with the stakeholders in Saskatchewan.
•  Therapists who choose not to write the entrance exam can continue a career in the wellness field; however it will be against the law for them to use the protected designation ‘Registered Massage Therapist’, use the acronym ‘RMT’, or use the term massage therapy/massage therapist.

Why do I have to write an entry to practice exam if I have gone to an accredited school?

• Before an MT can become registered to practice massage therapy in Saskatchewan, he/she must successfully complete the entry to practice exam administered by the Saskatchewan College of Massage Therapy. The entry to practice examination evaluates whether a candidate for registration with the College has the competency expected to consistently provide safe, ethical and effective massage therapy treatments.
• There will be two components of the examination – the written multiple choice questionnaire and the oral-practical examination.

Will my membership fees increase if legislation goes forward?

• There will be a fee to join the SCMT.  Those costs will be determined after the transitional committee meets, and an operational budget is determined.
• The Association membership fees will not increase (unless approved by the membership at an AGM), and the Association will continue to provide liability insurance and other benefits to members.

Who is supporting ‘The Saskatchewan Massage Therapy Act’?

• A strong majority of MTAS members are in favour of legislation.  The MTAS membership has continually been updated and informed since 2010 through President’s briefings, AGMs, Legislation Chair and Executive Director Reports.
• The MTAS has petitioned and corresponded with the other 26 legislated professions in Saskatchewan.  There has been an overwhelming and positive response for our legislation proposal.

How does legislation relate to the Canada Revenue Agency?

• Upon legislation, once the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is notified, patients will be able to claim their massage therapy treatments as a medical expense on their annual tax return.

When will massage therapy treatments be exempt from the GST?

• A health profession in Canada can be exempted if it is legislated in five (5) provinces or territories. 
• Saskatchewan will become the fifth (5th) province legislated.  This will allow the profession to apply for GST/HST exemption.

What benefits on a national level are there with legislation in Saskatchewan?

• RMTs belonging to the SCMT will be allowed to work in other legislated provinces without having to write another exam.  Through legislation, the profession will move towards common national standards.
• When legislation is achieved at a provincial level, unification, strength, sustainability and growth of the profession are increased at the national level.  The national insurers (Blue Cross, Great West Life, Sun Life, etc.) look towards these legislated provinces for practice standards to validate their insurance payments to their clients.