The American Massage Therapy Association is an organization founded in 1943 to represent massage therapists in the United States. It has grown to include therapists in 26 other countries as well. It represents more than 58,000 massage therapists, and is the largest non-profit, member driven, professional organization of massage therapists in the United States. Its purpose is to establish standards for massage therapists, set up training and certifications, ethical standards, and award accreditation to massage schools, as well as promote massage therapy as a legitimate and safe healthy alternative to those in need of pain and stress relief.

There is at least one chapter of the AMTA, as they’re known, in every state. The national office is in Evanston, IL. It is overseen by a volunteer board of directors, and each state and city will have its own leadership boards of directors, and usually a volunteer corporate structure as well. AMTA is also listed as a member of the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Practice Organizations.

If you visit the main organization’s website, there is a lot of interesting information about the group. For instance, they have a code of ethics which has a list of 7 standards they believe all therapists should follow. The group has a mission statement and a 5 point core ideology. There are historical facts about the organization, links to all the state organizations, goals and predictions. There’s also a jobs site for those looking to be employed by someone else.

For testing and certification purposes, the AMTA has also created a website to do it all online, including getting help training for the tests. It has a demo so prospects can see what it’s all about before deciding to go forward in obtaining a password and username, which is only given to those who are members of the organization.

The AMTA also has white papers on many benefits of massage, as well as lobbies for the rights of massage therapists on the state and federal levels. In essence, this is probably one of the best organizations massage therapists should consider being a member of.

See more:
Massage Therapy Resources
Mesa Massage Therapy
American Massage Therapy Association Arizona Chapter