American Massage Therapy Association^®

AMTA Membership Passes 40,000

San Antonio, TX — The largest and oldest professional association of massage therapists, the American Massage Therapy Association, announced today at its National Convention that its membership has officially passed 40,000. 

“This is an exciting occasion to celebrate at our national convention”, said Adela Basayne, AMTA President.  “The growth of our association in the last few years has paralleled the rapid acceptance of massage by the public.  We are delighted that the public is learning the value of massage and that qualified massage therapists recognize the benefits of being part of AMTA.”

AMTA’s membership has more than doubled since 1994 and now has members in 30 countries.  In 1990, membership was approximately 12,000. 

The association, started in Chicago in 1943, includes professional massage therapists, students enrolled in recognized, 500-hour minimum massage schools, qualifying massage schools, and organizations and individuals who support the association’s efforts.  AMTA’s mission is to develop the art, science and practice of massage therapy in a caring, professional and ethical manner in order to promote the health and welfare of humanity.

All AMTA Professional members have demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge through education and/or testing.  New Professional members must be graduates of training programs accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA); be graduates of AMTA Council of Schools member-schools; be Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork; or have a current AMTA-accepted city, state or provincial license.  AMTA has a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for its members.

The association also helps consumers, medical professionals and personal care services find qualified, professional massage therapists nationwide, through its Find A Massage TherapistSM national locator service.  The free national locator service is available via AMTA’s Web site at www.amtamassage.org and toll-free at 888-843-2682 [888-THE-AMTA].

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