Updating the Inter-jurisdictional Practice Competencies and Performance Indicators: A progress report

FOMTRAC releases updated practice competencies and performance indicators
October 18, 2016
FOMTRAC releases updated practice competencies and performance indicators
October 18, 2016

In 2012, FOMTRAC published the Inter-Jurisdictional Practice Competencies and Performance Indicators for Massage Therapists at Entry-to-Practice (PCs/PIs).

The PCs/PIs are an entry-to-practice standard for massage therapists in the regulated jurisdictions, and they have become a driving force for creating a common national benchmark for entry into massage therapy practice. The PCs/PIs inform the content of school curricula as well as provincial registration examinations.

As the newly-created Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTCA) implements an accreditation process for schools starting in 2016, schools will be expected to maintain curriculum compliance with the PCs/PIs as a core requirement for accreditation.

In September 2014, partly in response to stakeholder feedback and requests for clarification, FOMTRAC initiated a project to refine and update the 2012 PCs/PIs. A project team of subject matter experts from the regulated jurisdictions was formed, led by a consultant in outcome-based professional standards.

In Phase 1 of the project, the team addressed the practice competencies. They reviewed the existing PCs in the light of feedback received, refined and clarified them, and undertook a validation survey with RMTs in the regulated jurisdictions. They also reviewed the proposed updated PCs with the stakeholders who had previously provided feedback.

In Phase 2, the team restructured and refined the performance indicators to correspond with the updated PCs, and in response to the feedback received. The team is currently consulting with schools in the regulated jurisdictions to obtain feedback on the updated PIs.

The project will be completed in June 2016, and shortly thereafter FOMTRAC will publish an updated document.