Member Competency - FAQ
As stated in the MTAS Bylaws (11.2 (a)):
"All practicing members must obtain a minimum of forty (40) competency credits over a three-year period to maintain registration and/or license with the corporation."
The Competency Committee believes that it is important to let members develop their own direction, but that it is also prudent that members keep public safety and their professional reputation as their primary concerns. The Competency Committee has designed the continuing education program to be accessible to all members of the profession, regardless of physical location, financial restraints and/or time limitations. The Competency Program Handbook sets out the requirements and guidelines for members.
Continuous self-assessment and enhancement of skills are essential responsibilities of each member. Evolving techniques, innovations in healthcare provision, and increasing social awareness of the importance of healthcare, emphasize the need for members to demonstrate their continued competence to provide high quality massage therapy services. To this end, the continuing education program serves to:
- Recognize that continuous member self-education is significant to the standard of care provided to clients.
- Give members the opportunity to communicate with other healthcare professionals.
- Pursue professional excellence, as stated in the MTAS Code of Ethics.
Each member is expected to perform and operate their practice within the parameters of ethical and responsible means, as outlined in the Bylaws, Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The choice of courses taken and/or direction of professional development are the responsibility of the individual therapist. Therapists are encouraged to evaluate their choice of courses/workshops and related activities in terms of their benefit to the ongoing quality improvement of their practice.
The Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan (MTAS) awards competency credits to courses that meet the submission criteria and that contain instruction that falls within the MTAS scope of practice. However, the MTAS cannot attest to the quality of the courses or instructors, nor is advertising the course considered an endorsement by the MTAS. It is the responsibility of the course registrant to select what is of value and what is within the MTAS scope of practice to be used within their practice.
A candidate for retiree membership is not required to obtain any competency credits.
These members are required to complete 50% of the competency credits of practicing member.
Honorary Practicing Life Members: These members are required to complete the same number of competency credits as practicing members.
Honorary Non-Practicing Life Members: These members are no longer practicing massage therapy and are therefore not required to obtain any competency credits.
Competency credits earned in another province may be transferable to the requirements for MTAS, providing that the course was completed during the current MTAS cycle. Please be advised that the MTAS course evaluation criteria may be different from that in other jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the member to contact the MTAS office in advance of the submission deadline to determine whether course approval will be granted.
Newly graduated members will have a grace period of two (2) years before being required to earn primary credits. 7 business credits are mandatory.
This two-year period is interpreted as beginning the year after the year of graduation, (e.g. a 2026 graduate's grace period would be 2027 and 2028). Newly graduated therapists will be permitted to carry forward a maximum of 40 credits earned during this time. No additional pro-rating will occur for new graduates who take non-practicing membership status.
For each COMPLETE year of non-practicing membership, the 40-credit requirement is reduced by 13 credits.
NOTE: if a therapist upgrades from non-practicing to practicing status part-way through the membership year, the required credits revert to the practicing membership obligation of 13 credits for that year.
Examples:
- Year one – non-practicing = 0 credits
Year two – non-practicing = 0 credits
Year three – non-practicing = 0 credits
Total for the window = 0 credits
- Year one – practicing = 13.333 credits
Year two – practicing = 13.333 credits
Year three – non-practicing = 0 credits
Total for the window = 27 credits
NOTE: Whilst holding non-practicing status, members are not required to maintain current CPR/SFA. This certification must be renewed before changing to practicing membership.
All practicing members (who are past the grace period for new members) must obtain a minimum of 40 credits within the specified 3-year cycle. Credits must be acquired in the following categories:
- Primary Credits - minimum 40 per cycle (includes 5 for CPR/SFA - once per window).
- Business Credits - not mandatory, maximum 7 allowed.
NOTE: if a therapist earns the maximum allowed 7 business credits, the primary credit requirement will be reduced to 28, plus the 5 credits for CPR/SFA, for a total of 40 credits.