Massage Therapy has a complex public perception.
On one hand, it is a sought after therapeutic treatment for stress and pain relief. And on the other hand it is seen as a feel good esthetic treatment in spas alongside manicures, pedicures and facials.
One way to up the perception of the profession is the trend towards obtaining provincial government regulation. Recently, PEI became the 5th Province in Canada to regulate the profession of massage therapy alongside BC, Ontario, NFLD and New Brunswick. Alberta and Saskatchewan are close behind.
Provincial regulation is significant because it means every massage therapist within the province will be required to pass a provincial assessment and follow the same standards of practice to be able to enter the profession. And to maintain their licence there will be an annual requirement for continuing education.
In addition once a profession is regulated in five or more provinces, the profession is able to lobby the Federal government for HST exemption since it would qualify as a medical profession.
Having a provincial assessment and standards of practice along with HST exemption would have a huge impact on the legitimacy of the profession despite where it is practiced. The next step after every province successfully obtains regulatoin is to strive for national regulation.
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https://www.massagetherapycanada.com/pei-becomes-5th-province-regulated-for-massage-therapy-in-canada-4580/