AMTA vs. ABMP: The Nonprofit Advantage®

As the largest nonprofit professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and schools, AMTA invests membership dollars back into the profession through research, advocacy and promotion of the health benefits of massage. No other company or organization in the profession gives back as much.

Quick Glance Comparison: AMTA vs. ABMP	AMTA Nonprofit		ABMP For-Profit
The Nonprofit Advantage®: a commitment to reinvesting profits back into the profession
Donated more than $2 million to the Massage Therapy Foundation for research over the last 5 years and provides ongoing support
Protecting massage therapists' right to practice through state and federal lobbyists in any state that needs it

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Why Choose AMTA? 

The Nonprofit Advantage and Consumer Ratings

AMTA is the largest nonprofit, professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and massage schools. AMTA’s mission is to serve its members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy. AMTA invests membership dollars back into the profession through research, advocacy and promotion of the health benefits of massage. 

A national Zogby Analytics survey shows that AMTA is the most respected and most trusted name in massage therapy among consumers and massage therapists. The Zogby survey continues to show that consumers prefer AMTA massage therapists over ABMP therapists by three to one.

Massage Therapy Industry Research – The Leader in Conducting Research in the Industry

AMTA publishes the most comprehensive research report about the massage profession and has been conducting research with massage therapy consumers for more than 20 years. The published research report has been done for more than ten years. Wage and pay information collected from massage therapists is cited by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This report is invaluable to massage therapists to understand their sector of the industry and consumer views and use of massage therapy. 

Access AMTA's research reports

Promotion of the Massage Profession to the Public

AMTA provides the Massage Therapy Foundation with unparalleled funding – donating more than $2 million over the last five years.  AMTA actively promotes massage therapy and massage therapists to consumers through research, national press and paid advertising. In addition, AMTA’s National Massage Therapy Awareness Week reaches tens of millions of consumers with information on the benefits of massage therapy.

To safeguard Board Certification for the profession, AMTA provides operational and logistical support to the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Additionally, AMTA has committed $75,000 to the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education and staff support to bring the Alliance’s Teacher Education Standards Project to the profession.

No other company or organization in the profession gives back as much.

Supporting Massage Therapy Students

Over the past five years, AMTA has awarded more than $250,000 in student scholarships, while making our MBLEx study guide and anatomy study guide free to all massage therapy students, members or not.

Students also receive a free membership from AMTA, including their insurance, career guidance tools, and networking opportunities.

Find resources for massage therapy students and graduates

Supporting the Industry Within the Health Care Field, and with State and Federal Governments

AMTA members and staff strive to enhance the reputation and acceptance of massage therapy and the crucial role of professional massage therapists. Advocacy work on behalf of the industry includes:

• Working for fair and consistent licensing of massage therapy across the country
• Collaborating with a variety of healthcare organizations and government agencies to increase the stature of massage therapists within healthcare and their integration into patient care
• Engaging with federal, state, and local officials around crucial and timely issues, such as regulations and requirements impacting massage therapists during COVID-19

Learn more about AMTA’s advocacy work on behalf of the profession

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