National Certification Exams for ABT

While Minnesota does not require passing a national certification exam in order to practice Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT), many Minnesota practitioners have taken one of the two nationally certifying exams.  Passing of an exam gives the practitioner the right to display the credentials associated with the exam.

The two organizations which offer exams covering Asian Bodywork Therapy are the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).  

The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is the only organization which specifically certifies Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT).  A practitioner who passes the NCCAOM ABT exam is called a Diplomate of ABT (NCCAOM).

When a practitioner becomes a Diplomate of ABT (NCCAOM) it means s/he has:

  • Completed at least 500 hours of basic Asian bodywork therapy education from formal full-time schools, formal programs and courses. The required 500 hour education includes practical and theoretical training of which 160 hours relate specifically to ABT techniques and a minimim of 100 hours of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory.
  • Demonstrated competency in the area of clinical education (observation, internship or treatment hours)
  • Passed the NCCAOM ABT exam
  • Must abide by the NCCAOM Code of Ethics.

More information about ABT certification through NCCAOM is available on their website at: http://www.nccaom.org/consumers/asian-bodywork-therapy-certification

The NCBTMB exam includes some ABT along with Massage and other Bodywork Therapies. When a practitioner becomes nationally certified  through NCBTMB it means a s/he has:

  • Completed a minimum of 500 hours of instruction in required subject areas which may include ABT training
  • Demonstrated mastery of core skills, abilities and knowledge 
  • Passed the NCBTMB exam to become "Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork"
  • Pledged to uphold NCBTMB’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

More information about certification through NCBTMB is available on their website:
http://www.ncbtmb.org/consumers.php