How to Become a Massage Therapist in Ontario
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario to work as a massage therapist in Ontario or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Registered Massage Therapist, Massage Therapist
Show the source
“To practise Massage Therapy in Ontario, you must be registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO). Only people registered with CMTO are allowed to use the protected titles “Registered Massage Therapist” (RMT) or “Massage Therapist” (MT).”
From cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 4 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.3 months (only 1 of 3 steps state a time)
-
Complete a Massage Therapy diploma from a recognized Ontario education program such as a college of applied arts and technology or an approved career college.
Source
“In Ontario, diploma programs in Massage Therapy are offered at colleges of applied arts and technology, and career colleges registered with and approved by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario -
Register for and successfully complete the two mandatory certification exams administered by Prometric on behalf of CMTO.
Source
“you must successfully complete the certification exams administered by Prometric on behalf of CMTO. There are two mandatory certification exams: The written Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) exam; and The Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE).”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario -
Submit the required documents and fees through CMTO's online Initial Registration application, which is processed within 10 business days once complete.
Time: 10 daysTime source
“it will be processed within 10 business days from the date all requirements have been received by CMTO”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontarioSource
“Once your completed application including all required documentation is received, it will be processed within 10 business days from the date all requirements have been received by CMTO.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.3 months (only 1 of 3 steps state a time)
-
Complete the Application under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and have your previous regulator submit a Letter of Standing Form to CMTO.
Source
“Complete the Application under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement; and Ensure your previous regulator completes and submits the Letter of Standing Form for Registration to CMTO.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro... -
Successfully complete CMTO's four-hour online Jurisprudence Program after meeting the Step 1 requirements.
Source
“After meeting the requirements in Step 1, you must successfully complete CMTO’s Jurisprudence Program, a four-hour online course designed to provide applicants with information on:”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro... -
Submit the required documents and fees through CMTO's online Initial Registration application, which is processed within 10 business days once complete.
Time: 10 daysTime source
“it will be processed within 10 business days from the date all requirements have been received by CMTO”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro...Source
“Once your completed application including all required documentation is received, it will be processed within 10 business days from the date all requirements have been received by CMTO.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.3 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
-
Submit the MTECA application package with the required documentation, and if educated outside Canada, obtain a report from an independent credential evaluation service.
Source
“if you were educated outside Canada, you will need a report from an independent credential evaluation service to confirm if your Massage Therapy diploma is equivalent to diplomas that are issued in Canada.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/international-and-oth... -
If your education is deemed equivalent through the MTECA assessment, successfully complete CMTO's four-hour online Jurisprudence Program.
Source
“If, after completing the MTECA assessment your education is deemed equivalent to a recognized Massage Therapy education program in Ontario, the next step is to successfully complete CMTO’s Jurisprudence Program, a four-hour online course”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/international-and-oth... -
Register for and successfully complete the two required certification exams administered by Prometric on behalf of CMTO.
Source
“you must successfully complete the certification examinations administered by Prometric on behalf of CMTO. There are two required exams: The computer-based Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ); and The in-person Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE).”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/international-and-oth... -
After successful exam results, complete the online Initial Registration application with the required documents and fees, which is processed within 10 business days once complete.
Time: 10 daysTime source
“Once your application is complete, it will be processed within 10 business days from the date it is received.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/international-and-oth...Source
“Once your application is complete, it will be processed within 10 business days from the date it is received.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/international-and-oth...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Initial Application Fee: $225
Source
“Section 7 – Initial Application Fee: reduced from $225 to $150”
cmto.com/provide-your-feedback-proposed-changes-to-by-law-no-7-fees - Inactive Certificate Fee: $457.50
Source
“Section 9 – Inactive Certificate Fee: reduced from 50% to 25% of the General Certificate fee (from $457.50 to $228.75)”
cmto.com/provide-your-feedback-proposed-changes-to-by-law-no-7-fees - Late renewal fee: $100
Source
“You must renew your registration by November 1. If you don’t renew by this deadline, you will be charged a $100.00 late fee.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario
Requirements
Education
Applicants must have completed a recognized Massage Therapy program within three years before registering for the exams and applying for registration, or complete a CMTO Refresher Course if the education was completed more than three years before.
Source
“Completed a recognized Massage Therapy program within three years before registering for the exams, and before applying for registration; or Completed a recognized Massage Therapy program more than three years before registering for the exams AND completed a CMTO Refresher Course within 15 months before registering for the exams”
cmto.com/policies/education-requirement-for-exam-eligibility-and-in...
Police check
Applicants must submit a Vulnerable Sector Check as part of their registration application.
Source
“Submit a Vulnerable Sector Check (to support demonstration of good character);”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario
Insurance
Applicants must obtain professional liability insurance as noted in CMTO's By-Law No. 10, which does not apply to Inactive Certificate registration.
Source
“Obtain professional liability insurance (PLI) as noted in CMTO’s By-Law No.10 (not applicable to Inactive Certificate registration);”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario
Good character
Applicants must demonstrate good character to complete their registration.
Source
“Demonstrate good character;”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario
Other
Applicants must provide proof of CPR certification in level A, B, C, HCP or BLS and First Aid in Emergency or Standard level.
Source
“Provide proof of CPR certification in level A, B, C, HCP or BLS and First Aid in Emergency or Standard level;”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontarioApplicants must meet the requirements of CMTO's Language Fluency Policy.
Source
“Meet the requirements of CMTO’s Language Fluency Policy;”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontarioApplicants must submit government-issued ID confirming authority to practise in Canada.
Source
“Submit government-issued ID confirming authority to practise in Canada.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Applicants registered in another regulated Canadian province may register with CMTO under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement by verifying credentials and completing the Jurisprudence Program, without retaking the entry-to-practice certification exams. Source
“Under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), regulated professionals, including Massage Therapists, are eligible to have their credentials recognized from another Canadian province in which the profession is regulated.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro...
Verify credentials with CMTO
Source
“Complete the Application under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement; and Ensure your previous regulator completes and submits the Letter of Standing Form for Registration to CMTO.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro...Complete Jurisprudence Program
Source
“After meeting the requirements in Step 1, you must successfully complete CMTO’s Jurisprudence Program, a four-hour online course”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro...Complete your registration
Source
“After you have met the above requirements, it can take up to 10 business days for CMTO to provide information on the Initial Registration (IR) process.”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Credential assessment
Massage Therapy Education and Credential Assessment (MTECA)
Assesses education and credentials of graduates of non-CMTCA-accredited Canadian programs outside Ontario and internationally educated applicants for equivalence with an Ontario program.
Source
“You may request that CMTO assesses your education for its equivalence with an Ontario program by participating in the Massage Therapy Education and Credential Assessment (MTECA) process”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/international-and-oth...
Exams
-
Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) exam
Source
“The written Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) exam; and The Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE).”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario -
Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE)
Source
“The written Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) exam; and The Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE).”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario -
Jurisprudence Program
Source
“you must successfully complete CMTO’s Jurisprudence Program, a four-hour online course designed to provide applicants with information on”
cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $37,561 | $37,561 | $57,200 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $32,867 | $32,867 | $62,400 | — |
Massage therapists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Apply for Registration cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration · fetched October 10, 2026
- Educated in Ontario cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/educated-in-ontario · fetched October 10, 2026
- RMT Coming to Ontario from a Province that Regulates Massage Therapy cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/coming-to-ontario-fro... · fetched October 10, 2026
- International and Other Graduates cmto.com/become-an-rmt/apply-for-registration/international-and-oth... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Policy: Education Requirement for Exam Eligibility and Initial Registration cmto.com/policies/education-requirement-for-exam-eligibility-and-in... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Provide Your Feedback – Proposed Changes to By-Law No. 7: Fees cmto.com/provide-your-feedback-proposed-changes-to-by-law-no-7-fees · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a massage therapist in Ontario?
Yes. Registration with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario is required to practise in Ontario, and to use the title Registered Massage Therapist or Massage Therapist.
Which exams are required?
Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) exam, Objectively Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE), Jurisprudence Program.
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