Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy Certification

The Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy Certification is completely optional—it is for you own benefit, if you so choose. You are eligible to apply for this credential after you have successfully completed the four-day, 32-hour Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy Workshop.

• Certification is a demonstration of your commitment to your clients, and to evidence-based practice.

• Certification can also be an integral part of building trust, with clients, employers, and your professional community.

• Certification enables you to market yourself as a certified pre- and perinatal massage therapist, expanding your employment opportunities and your earning abilities.

• Certification adds you to our national database of certified pre- and perinatal massage therapists.

You've taken the workshop. Now what?

You have a year from the date of your workshop to complete the certification module. The process is simple:

1. You take a fifty-question, multiple-choice test.

2. You submit a video of yourself using some of the techniques you learned in the workshop.

Once those two components are successfully completed, you will receive your certification.

See below for the specifics about each requirement.

TEST

• The multiple-choice exam is meant to assess your theoretical understanding for safe, effective massage therapy with pregnant, laboring, and postpartum clients.

• All of the content is from the workshop or from the workshop textbook, Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy (3rd edition).

• The test is administered online and scored immediately upon completion.

• If you don't pass the first time, you are eligible to retake the test with a different set of questions one additional time.

• A passing score is 80% or higher.

VIDEO

We recommend that you practice what you learned for at least five hours after the workshop. Then when you feel ready, you should record yourself performing part of a session.

• The video should be between 20 and 30 minutes in length.

• The video should clearly show you performing a sequence of at least 14 techniques from the workshop.

• The video should also show one positioning change (that is, shifting the client from one sidelying position to the other, or from semireclined to sidelying, or from sidelying to semi reclined).

I (or one of the four other authorized instructors of the workshop) will assess the video, and give you a written evaluation, as well as suggestions for how to further refine your work. A passing score is 80% or higher.

I will assess the video using the same rubric used during the workshop's practicum:

• your intention, accuracy, speed, rhythm, pressure, and sensitivity in the techniques that you demonstrate (maximum 50 pts)

• your sequencing of the chosen techniques (maximum 10 pts)

• client positioning (maximum 10 pts)

• client draping (maximum 10 pts)

• interaction with client (maximum 10 pts)

• your own body use (maximum 10 pts)

If you don't achieve at least an 80% the first time, you can use my feedback and submit a second video for assessment when you are ready, at no additional charge.

Questions? Email me.

PRICE

The certification module costs $250. This includes the written test (and the ability to take the written test again if you don't pass the first time), and the video assessment (and the ability to submit a second video if you don't pass the first time).

ELIGIBILITY

Certification is only available to massage therapists who are licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise legally authorized to practice massage therapy in their state, province, or country.

Allied maternal healthcare providers—including nurses, physical therapists, doulas, and midwives—are encouraged to take the workshop (we love having you!) but are not eligible to apply for certification unless they are also already a legally authorized massage therapist.

TIMING

The certification module must be completed within one (1) year of completing your workshop.

Questions? Email me.