Massage Therapy Ontario InformationWelcome to our basic information page. Below are answers to three of the most frequently asked questions relating to schooling, the job market and the pay/income. For more in-depth information please visit our articles page. |
School
In the province of Ontario all students must complete a 2200 hour course/program at a institution/school that has been certified by the CMTO. This can include traditional colleges and universities (for example Fleming college in Peterborough) or at a private college (Everest College, formerly CDI). Make sure to visit our Massage Therapy Schools page for a list of the recognized schools.
The 2200 hour course includes in class and practical training. Once you have completed your course you have to pass a certification examination that is usually held in Toronto. This test includes two sections, the Computer Adaptive Multiple Choice test and a Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation. Once you have passed both of these tests you will qualify for registration and can begin practice as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).
Jobs
Most Registered Massage Therapists in the province of Ontario would be considered contractors. These contractors are basically hired to work at clinics or in clinic like locations. Being a contractor means that an RMT will not be paid typically employee benefits such as vacation pay, a salary. Contractors are also not given any health or dental benefits. For more quick info on independent contractors in Ontario you can visit:
This isn't all bad however. This topic will be covered more in-depth in a future article.
The second main position of an RMT is as the owner/propritor of your own small business.
The third and the lowest percentage of RMTs in the province is as an employee of a business. These positions are rare due to the nature of legislation and the industry itself. If an employeer has the decision of taking on an employee and paying benefits etc vs forgoing these costs and hiring an RMT as an independent contractor, well, the decision becomes pretty easy to make.
Pay
How much does a RMT (Registered Massage Therapist) make?
The answer is, well it depends. As we’ve previously discussed in the Jobs section, most job opportunties are as an independent contractor or as an owner.
I don’t want to burst any balloons here but for the most part the $60+ average rate that many of the schools advertise isn’t completely accurate. This rate doesn’t include A) rent if you are the owner or B) the % split fee that most contracted massage therapists have to share with the owners/landlords of their clinical location. We will cover this topic in-depth in an upcoming article.
