Is Massage Therapy Regulated in Alberta? Here’s What You Need to Know

Is Massage regulated in Alberta?

No.

Will It Be?

Yes.

Let’s be honest — this is a bit of a confusing topic, even for people in the industry. So here’s the breakdown, written with you in mind — the clients, the curious, and the people who want to understand what this actually means.

I’ll cover what’s happening now, what’s coming, and what changes you can expect as Alberta moves toward regulation.

✅ Massage Therapy in Alberta Right Now

To become a massage therapist or RMT in Alberta:

• Complete a 2200+ hour program

• Graduate

• Join a massage association

• Get a business license (depending on your city)

• Start working!

It sounds straightforward, but it’s not as standardized or regulated as other provinces — and that’s the big difference.

📚 Massage Schools & Accreditation

In regulated provinces, massage schools must be accredited through the CMTCA.

In Alberta? Only three schools currently meet that standard.

👉 If regulation went into effect today, only those three schools would have their programs officially recognized. That could affect who’s eligible to practice under the new rules.

✨ Reminder: This doesn’t mean other Alberta schools are bad — just that they haven’t been accredited yet. They’d need to go through the process if they want to keep offering recognized programs.

📝 Exams & Licensing

In regulated provinces, after school, students must pass:

• A Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ)

• An Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE)

These are run by the regulatory college — not the school — to keep things fair and standardized.

In Alberta, these types of exams aren’t mandatory (though some schools do them voluntarily). That means there’s no province-wide way to confirm therapists meet a consistent standard before working with the public.

🛡️ Associations vs. Regulatory Bodies

Regulatory Colleges (in regulated provinces):

• Run by the government

• Set rules and scope of practice

• Investigate complaints

• Hold therapists accountable

Associations (what we currently have in Alberta):

• Not-for-profit organizations

• Offer therapist insurance and continuing education

• Advocate for the profession

In Alberta, you must join an association for your massage therapy to be recognized by insurance companies — because we don’t yet have a regulatory college.

🧾 Protected Titles: Who Can Call Themselves an RMT?

In regulated provinces:

Only therapists registered with the regulatory body can use titles like RMT or “Massage Therapist.”

In Alberta:

Anyone can use those titles — regardless of their education or training.

This leads to public confusion and safety concerns. You could see someone who calls themselves an RMT... but has no credentials or standardized training.

⚠️ Illicit Massage & Public Risk

This is a hard truth, but it needs to be said.

There are “massage” businesses operating under false pretenses — offering illicit services, sometimes linked to human trafficking or fraud. Without regulation, it’s hard to stop this or even identify who’s qualified and who isn’t.

From the application for Alberta regulation:

“Unqualified, incompetent, and unethical people... present serious, yet largely avoidable risks to the public.”

Regulation would:

• Create legal standards

• Let the public verify therapist credentials

• Help law enforcement crack down on illicit operations

• Discourage forged school documents or fake RMTs

💸 Insurance & Tax Changes

Right now in Alberta:

• If your therapist is a member of an association, your massage can be covered by benefits.

• BUT — massage therapy is not currently claimable on your tax return as a medical expense.

In regulated provinces, it is.

If Alberta regulates massage, we can likely expect it to be recognized the same way — but that’s still TBD.

🧠 In Summary - Is Massage Regulated in Alberta

Regulation is coming. Most likely within 2–5 years.

When it happens:

• Therapists who register with the regulatory college = you can still use your benefits to see them.

• Therapists who don’t = they lose protected titles and insurance reimbursement, but can still treat clients privately.

There will be growing pains, for sure. But regulation brings clarity, accountability, and safety — for both therapists and clients.

My Thoughts

The massage industry in Alberta is divided on this — and that’s okay. I fully respect every therapist’s right to choose what’s best for them.

But if you’re a client? The more you know, the better decisions you can make for your care.

If you’re curious, I encourage you to: 👉 Read the full regulation application here💬 Reach out to me with questions — I’m always happy to help or point you in the right direction.

Disclaimer: Hey there, fabulous reader! Just a heads-up: while I aim to share accurate info in this post, it's all filtered through my personal lens. Think of it as a blend of facts and my own musings. Always best to do your own research and consult with a pro for advice tailored just for you. Stay smooth and empowered!