Which is more correct?

[Poppy]

Which is professionally correct? CMT or LMT? What distinguishes the use of one over the other? Thank you!

 

[DGuy]

It depends entirely on where you live and what the regulations are, if they require (or offer) licensing or certification or both. Where I am it would make absolutely no difference whatsoever.

 

[Chelsea N]

Here in Florida we are all LMTs because that is what the State of Florida designated us to be.

As ROS stated above...it depends on where you live.

Angie

 

[mr_j526]

As both of the above posters mentioned, it depends on where you are. You don't get to "pick" the initials behind your name, the state has done that for you. Now, you may get to pick a particular program for a set of "initials", but the initials are regulated.

Good luck in school.

 

[MayDay Parade (3]

Here in Minnesota, they are both completely bogus, as there is NO state licensure or certification. However, you will see many therapists here advertising themselves as LMT, CMT, DMT, etc...

Since Minnesota has not designated a formal title for massage therapists, only MT, NCTM, or NCTMB are truly correct here.

 

[Better Than]

DMT?

 

[viet mixed girl]

Thank you all for your response. I will have to research what the State of Illinois chooses to label our kind.
I love this site! You give good community! LOL Thank you!

 

[Meilien]

DMT?

That one confused me too. The practitioner stated it means "Diploma Massage Therapy" - in other words, she had completed a training program of some sort. She also listed CMT and LMT on her card, so for all I know she made up DMT on her own.

In any case, LMT, CMT, and DMT are all bogus in Minnesota.

 

[Sam?]

DMT?

That one confused me too. The practitioner stated it means "Diploma Massage Therapy" - in other words, she had completed a training program of some sort. She also listed CMT and LMT on her card, so for all I know she made up DMT on her own.

In any case, LMT, CMT, and DMT are all bogus in Minnesota.

If one takes the national certification test and passes, why not use CMT? The state may not have ordained it, but they are still certified to do massage therapy.

 

[Caiden]

Thank you all for your response. I will have to research what the State of Illinois chooses to label our kind.
I love this site! You give good community! LOL Thank you!

As far as I know, we're LMT's (since we're licensed.)

Some people will throw in CMT or NCTM/NCTMB. But since the state requires licensing, then once you get it, LMT should suffice .

 

[Meghan]

Actually, CMT is perfectly legit even in unlicensed states, (f/i, Oregon, a licensure state, does not allow the use of CMT as it is covered under LMT. No LMT, no CMT,) unless specifically excluded as mentioned or otherwise, if you take a training program that offers a certificate of completion. Professional organizations may have specific requirements, but if you have a certificate, you are "certified."

I guess since Minnesota is UNregulated, CMT is just as legit as MT. (or equally bogus.)

 

[fire f]

Here in Minnesota, they are both completely bogus, as there is NO state licensure or certification. However, you will see many therapists here advertising themselves as LMT, CMT, DMT, etc...

Since Minnesota has not designated a formal title for massage therapists, only MT, NCTM, or NCTMB are truly correct here.

I come from MN and now live in Colorado. Colorado requires 500 hours and then each city decides on further requirements. I am a CMT. I am Certified through ABMP. If I was living in MN I would use CMT and it would be legit because it is through ABMP.

Also, what about those therapists that work in a city that requires a license? I thought St. Paul, MN was one of them?

 

[ALco.M]

I come from MN and now live in Colorado. Colorado requires 500 hours and then each city decides on further requirements. I am a CMT. I am Certified through ABMP. If I was living in MN I would use CMT and it would be legit because it is through ABMP.

Also, what about those therapists that work in a city that requires a license? I thought St. Paul, MN was one of them?

Being a member of ABMP or AMTA or whatever does not make you a CMT. They provide insurance and other professional services, but neither one "certifies" you as anything more than being a member of their organization.

Having a business license to practice in a particular city doesn't qualify you to be an LMT, any more than having a having a business license to operate a spa/salon makes you a licensed cosmetologist.

 

[NONAME]

Being a member of ABMP or AMTA or whatever does not make you a CMT. They provide insurance and other professional services, but neither one "certifies" you as anything more than being a member of their organization.

Having a business license to practice in a particular city doesn't qualify you to be an LMT, any more than having a having a business license to operate a spa/salon makes you a licensed cosmetologist.

Certified membership in ABMP requires proof of completion of a certificate course of a specific duration. If she has a certified membership, she's probably a CMT unless use of the initials is prohibited by her locale.

If your city requires licensure as a therapist through city bureaucracy, you're a licensed massage therapist, as this is different than a city business license. California has lots of variations like this.

You're rather narrowminded in your definition of what constitutes a legitimate massage practitioner, aren't you? I would guess that very few here on this board meet your standards.

 

[mxxoxoxo]

For practical purposes, the only MT titles in MN that might be subject to enforcement are trademarks used to represent specific modalities.

 

[Fofo]

DMT could certainly be legit also, as a title issued by the institute giving the diploma. The practitioner who listed CMT and LMT on her card may also have taken a course that issued the title CMT (legitimizing her use of the term), and she may also hold a license in another state (same). Just because someone uses terms you are unfamiliar with does not automatically make them a liar.

A title does not have to be under the control of the state in order to be legit, Jason. Good lord. You yourself very proudly list NCTMB after your name - a board that is not your state has CERTIFIED that you passed their test. That board is not recognized by your state, but you (correctly) claim the certification.

You are confused about the difference between certification, licensing, and the earning of diplomas.

 

[The Joker: Midnight Clown]

how about LMBT?

I wish I could simply be an "MT" ~ folks can decipher that.

North Carolina mandates "LMBT", for Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist.

Which is a good conversation stater when I am wearing my name eforum.xxx

DLM, LMBT #6363