Massage Therapy Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) requires members to uphold professional standards that allow for the proper discharge of their responsibilities to those served, that protect the integrity of the profession, and that safeguard the interest of individual clients. Those practitioners who have been awarded national certification by the NCBTMB will:

• Have a sincere commitment to provide the highest quality of care to those that seek their professional services.
• Represent their qualifications honestly, including their educational achievements and professional affiliations, and will provide only those services which they are qualified to perform.
• Accurately inform clients, other health care practitioners, and the public of the scope and limitations of their discipline.
• Acknowledge the limitations of and contraindications for massage and bodywork and refer clients to appropriate health professionals.
• Provide treatment only where there is reasonable expectation that it will be advantageous to the client.
• Consistently maintain and improve professional knowledge and competence, striving for professional excellence through regular assessment of personal and professional strengths and weaknesses and through continued education training.
• Conduct their business and professional activities with honesty and integrity, and respect the inherent worth of all persons.
• Refuse to unjustly discriminate against clients or other health professionals.
• Safeguard the confidentiality of all client information, unless disclosure is required by law, court order, or is absolutely necessary for the protection of the public.
• Respect the client's right to treatment with informed and voluntary consent. The NCTMB practitioner will obtain and record the informed consent of the client, or client's advocate, before providing treatment. This consent may be written or verbal.
• Respect the client's right to refuse, modify, or terminate treatment regardless of prior consent given.
• Provide draping and treatment in a way that ensures the safety, comfort and privacy of the client.
• Exercise the right to refuse to treat any person or part of the body for just and reasonable cause.
• Refrain, under all circumstances, from initiating or engaging in any sexual conduct, sexual activities, or sexualizing behavior involving a client, even if the client attempts to sexualize the relationship.
• Avoid any interest, activity or influence which might be in conflict with the practitioner's obligation to act in the best interests of the client or the profession.
• Respect the client's boundaries with regard to privacy, disclosure, exposure, emotional expression, beliefs, and the client's reasonable expectations of professional behavior. Practitioners will respect the client's autonomy.
• Refuse any gifts or benefits which are intended to influence a referral, decision or treatment that are purely for personal gain and not for the good of the client.
• Follow all policies, procedures, guidelines, regulations, codes, and requirements promulgated by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.