Welcome to the

Yes, you can apply manually by downloading this application form and sending it to the General Secretary. Once your application has been approved, the General Secretary will arrange payment by phone. However, if you apply for Full active membership, and you provide receipts to clients for rebates from Irish Life Health, you will need to be listed on our website as Irish Life Health do check here for confirmation. The General Secretary can set up your online account for you and enter your basic details, i.e. name and location and phone number. Contact us for further help.

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The membership year runs from March. Can I join before that and what do I pay?

Our membership year runs from 15th March to 14th March each year but you can join at any stage during the year. Your 1st membership fee will be charged pro-rata, i.e. that you will pay for the remainder of the year if you join between April and January. After that, you will be charged one year plus the balance between date of joining and 15th March.

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I am from overseas - what do I need to do to become eligible to work as a massage therapist in Ireland?

In Ireland the massage industry is self-regulated. The IMTA and other professional bodies in Ireland provide that self-regulation through acknowledgment of membership. It is further regulated by insurance companies.The IMTA work with other bodies such as FICTA (Federation of Irish Complementary Therapy Associations) and EFCAM (European Federation for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) to represent the industry at national and EU level and keep members abreast of developments that affect them.

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What is NARIC and why do I need it?

NARIC is a government platform that has reviewed qualifications from around the world and compared them to the Irish education framework. A Comparability Statement from NARIC on your qualifications will assist our Education Committee understand your qualification and speed up the decision process for your application.

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What documents are required for getting my currently unknown qualification recognised and accepted by IMTA?

In order to review your course, if we are unfamiliar with it, we will require module descriptors, assessment procedures and specific learning outcomes (SLO’s). These should be available from your school or college. If your qualification was gained overseas, we will also need to see a Comparability Statement from NARIC. If you would like further clarification please contact us.

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Does the IMTA accredit courses?

No. The IMTA does not accredit courses, either foundation or post-graduate levels. We do have courses that we approve of for membership and listing on our website. These courses meet the minimum requirements for membership of the IMTA. Not all qualifications you have received may be currently recognised by the IMTA. Only accredited courses will be listed on your profile in our Directory.

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Does the IMTA provide insurance?

No. The IMTA does not provide insurance. It is the therapist's obligation to provide their own cover, however, a group scheme with preferential rates is available to IMTA members through Brian Mullins Insurance Brokers.

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How do I comply with GDPR?

Each business needs to have a Privacy Policy published and to have procedures in place for data protection. You will need to have documents in place to show these procedures. Templates are provided for members to comply with GDPR. Here is a sample that can be used on your client record card.

Due to data protection regulations your consent is required for me to collect and store your information and to contact you in relation to future treatments. I will only collect information relevant to your treatment and I will not share your data with any third party. You are entitled to access your information if/when required with written notice.

I give consent to collect and store my data: please circle Yes or No

I wish to be contacted/reminded about future treatments: please circle Yes or No

Client's name: _______________________________ Client's signature:________________________________

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What is the HSA Risk Assessment and why do I need it?

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Risk Assessment helps you to analyse your practice for issues. We use this assessment to determine if you need First Aid for your practice and so you can base your Safety Statement on this. Visit www.BeSMART.ie.

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What documents are required for Health and Safety, as per HSA Risk Assessment?

Using the HSA Risk Assessment as a guide, you will need to have a Safety Statement for your practice. This document is meant to keep you aware of the risks to you and to your clients or anyone else visiting your premises. You will find a step-by-step guide on the Resources page of the members area on the website. Visit www.BeSMART.ie.

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Do I need First Aid?

It is necessary to carry out an HSA Risk Assessment (BeSMART.ie) to ascertain whether your business and the clients you work with require you to hold a current First Aid certificate. It is up to each member to carry out an online Risk Assessment and set out their Safety Statement to ensure they are providing treatments that are safe and effective.

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What is the regulation on massage in Ireland?

In Ireland, massage is a self-regulating industry i.e. it is regulated through acknowledgment of membership of an organisation such as the IMTA. It is further regulated by insurance companies. As per recommendations of the Garvey National Working Group Report on the Regulation of Complementary Therapists 2005, the State does not regulate the massage industry.

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What does self-regulation mean?

While the IMTA is recognised by the State, the industry is self-regulating. The self-regulating approach is not only in Ireland but in many other European countries and other complementary therapies. We, and many other associations in Ireland, such as the herbalists, are members of FICTA (Federation of Irish Complementary Therapy Associations) and EFCAM (European Federation for Complementary and Alternative Medicine). These umbrella organisations campaign both in Ireland and Europe for further acknowledgements for therapists. FICTA and EFCAM also look for any regulations at national and EU level that may affect therapists and act on them if needed. Member associations, such as the IMTA, will keep their members advised of any changes.

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What standards does the IMTA set and how?

The IMTA requires a minimum of 300 hours massage study of a recognised course that must also include a minimum of 100 hours anatomy and physiology. Full members must also have full public liability insurance that covers all therapies listed with the IMTA, follow our Code of Ethics and the Constitution, have policy and procedures in place for data protection (GDPR) and do a health and safety Risk Assessment and draw up policy and procedure documents based on this assessment. Membership is also subject to continuing professional development (CPD). Membership is subject to audit of a given number of members each year to ensure standards are being maintained.

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What is the IMTA doing about State regulation?

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Is the IMTA recognised by any authority?

The IMTA is recognised by by Irish Life Health insurance.

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Why don’t VHI and Laya recognise the IMTA and rebate massage?

Unfortunately, they are free to offer benefits to their members as they see fit. The IMTA and other similar associations have lobbied unsuccessfully over many years to have massage treatments included. This is ongoing work and we will continue to lobby for recognition.

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What type of insurance do I need to practice?

Professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

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Help and FAQ

If you have any questions that are not answered below, please feel free to contact us.

Irish Massage Therapists Association

Email: info@massageireland.org

Phone: +353 86 377 3801

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