From the NCE Candidates
Handbook
NATIONAL
CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION
FOR THERAPEUTIC
MASSAGE
AND BODYWORK
(NCETMB)
C
ONTENT OUTLINE
AS OF JUNE 1, 2005
(W
ITH PERCENTAGE WEIGHTS OF
MAJOR CONTENT AREAS)
I. General Knowledge of the Body Systems (16%)
A. Anatomy B. Physiology C. Pathology
1. Integumentary (skin)
2. Skeletal
3. Muscular
4. Nervous
5. Endocrine
6. Cardiovascular
7. Lymphatic
8. Urinary
9. Respiratory
10. Gastrointestinal
11. Reproductive
12. Craniosacral
13. Energetic
14. Meridian
II. Detailed Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology and
Kinesiology (26%)
A. Anatomy
1. Anatomical position and terminology
(e.g. planes, directions)
2. Individual muscles/muscle groups
3. Muscle attachments
4. Muscle fiber direction
5. Tendons
6. Fascia
7. Joint structure
8. Ligaments
9. Bursae
10. Dermatomes
11. Primary and extraordinary meridians
12. Chakras
B. Physiology
1. Response of the body to stress
2. Basic nutrition principles
3. Meridians/channels (e.g. bladder, liver, spleen)
C. Kinesiology
1. Actions of individual muscles/muscle groups
2. Types of muscle contractions
(e.g. concentric, eccentric, isometric)
3. Joint movements (flexion, extension)
4. Movement patterns (e.g. lifting, walking)
5. Proprioception
III. Pathology (12%)
A. Medical terminology
B. Etiology of disease
C. Modes of contagious disease transmission (e.g. blood, saliva)
D. Signs and symptoms of disease
E. Psychological and emotional states
(e.g. depression, anxiety, grief)
F. Effects of life stages (e.g. childhood, adolescence,
geriatric)
G. Effects of physical and emotional abuse and trauma
H. Factors that aggravate or alleviate disease (e.g. biological,
psychological, environmental)
I. Psychological healing process
J. Indications and contraindications /cautions
K. Principles of acute versus chronic conditions
L. Stages/aspects of serious/terminal illness (e.g., cancer,
AIDS)
M. Basic pharmacology
My
Comments: I am not sure why they have this on there as it is outside our scope
of practice to perscribe any of these. If we need to know an interaction
it should be provided by the physician.
1. Prescription medications
2. Recreational drugs (e.g. tobacco, alcohol)
3. Herbs
4. Natural supplements
N. Approaches used in Western medicine by other
health professionals
Not
really necessary for a successful practice.
O. Approaches used in Asian medicine by other
health professionals Not
really necessary for a successful practice.
IV. Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Assessment (18%)
A. Assessment methods (visual, palpatory, auditory, olfactory,
energetic, intuitive)
B. Assessing range of motion
C. Assessment areas (soft tissues and bony landmarks,
endangerment sites, trigger points, adhesions, energy
blockages Not
really necessary for a successful practice. , energy channel
blockage (Asian), pulse rate Not
really necessary for a successful practice. ,
craniosacral pulses Not
really necessary for a successful practice. , lymphatic edema Not
really necessary for a successful practice. )
Not really
necessary for a successful practice
unless you were planning on specializing in such areas.
D. Somatic holding patterns (e.g., guarding, muscle/
fascial memory
E. Posture analysis
F. Structural and functional integration-
I
studied this for 6 years outside of massage school. Can it really learned
in a 500 hour program enough to be successful in using it with clients?
G. Ergonomic factors
H. Effects of gravity
I. Proprioception of position and movement
N
ATIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION
FOR THERAPEUTIC
MASSAGE
AND BODYWORK
(NCETMB)
V. Therapeutic Massage and
Bodywork Application (22 %)
A. Theory
1. Effects/benefits of massage/bodywork (physiological,
emotional/ psychological, energetic)
B. Methods and Techniques
1. Client draping and positional support techniques
2. Hydrotherapy/ hydromassage application
3. Stress management and relaxation techniques
4. Self-care activities for the client to maintain health
(e.g., stretching, swimming
5. Principles of holistic practice/approach
6. Postural balancing
7. Use of massage and/or bodywork tools
8. Enhancing client’s kinesthetic awareness
9. Joint movement techniques
10. Asian energy bodywork Not
really necessary for a successful practice.
11. Western energy bodywork Not
really necessary for a successful practice.
12. Static touch/holding
13. Techniques/strokes (compression/palming, cupping,
flicking, friction, gliding, hair pulling, hand rolling,
jostling, kneading, percussion, pinching, rocking,
shaking, skin rollings, torquing, traction, vibration)
14. Stretching (e.g., active, passive, resisted,
cross-directional,
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation [PNF], Muscle
Energy Technique [MET], reciprocal inhibition, Active
Isolated Stretching [AIS])
15. Aromatherapy
16. Topical analgesics
17. Gauging pressure as appropriate
18. Practitioner body mechanics
19. Standard Precautions
20. CPR/first aid
VI. Professional Standards, Ethics, Business,
and Legal Practices (6 %)(This
should be more than 6% of the test as it is really the key to being a successful
therapist, not any technique one may know
)
A. Maintaining professional boundaries while responding
to client’s emotional needs
B. Client interviewing techniques
C. Communication with other health professionals
D. When to refer clients to other health professionals
E. Verbal and nonverbal communication skills
F. NCBTMB Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
G. Issues of confidentiality
H. Legal and ethical parameters of scope of practice
I. Basic psychological and physical dynamics of
practitioner/client relationship
J. Planning strategies for single and multiple sessions
K. Session record keeping practices
L. Basic business and accounting practices
M. Outsourcing business needs (e.g., insurance billing,
bookkeeping)
N. Regulations pertaining to income reporting
O. Need for liability insurance
P. State and local credentialing requirements
Q. Legal entities (e.g., independent contractor, employee)
N
ATIONAL CERTIFICATION
BOARD FOR THERAPEUTIC
MASSAGE
AND BODYWORK
