About Massage Therapy

• What is massage therapy
• Massage therapy - the evidence for practice
• Benefits of choosing an MNZ therapist
• Find a Massage Therapist
• Visiting a Massage Therapist for the first time
• Scope of practice
• FAQs

Scope of practice

Scope of Practice refers to the extent and limits in the types of techniques, treatment approaches and conditions that determine the boundaries that a health professional is required to follow in order to practice within the terms of their professional registration and code of ethics.

MNZ has four levels of registered Massage Therapist membership and they have their own scopes of practice. This means that therapists must work within the scope that they are qualified to do so. If an MNZ therapist works outside of their scope, this is considered a breach of scope of practice.

You can check the scope of your Massage Therapist by asking to see their Annual Practicing Certificate which must be displayed where they practice.  A current annual practising certificate indicates that your therapist has met the membership and educational requirements of MNZ and is deemed by MNZ to be a Registered Massage Therapist at the appropriate designated level.

Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) Level 6 and 7 Scope of Practice

(Previously referred to as Remedial Massage Therapist)

A MNZ Registered Massage Therapist (Level 6 and 7) will be able to demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Client health information gathering and physical assessment of the client’s condition;
• Clinical reasoning to justify the treatment plan; massage therapy and other relevant treatment techniques in a safe and effective manner; 
• Treatment evaluation;
• Information regarding client self-management;
• Professional presentation and behaviour according to the MNZ Code of Ethics;
• Referral of a client to an appropriate health professional when necessary.

Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) Level 4 and 5 Scope of Practice

(Previously referred to as Certified Massage Therapist)

A MNZ Registered Massage Therapist (Level 4 and 5) will be able to demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Client health information gathering and wellness assessment of the client;
• Clinical reasoning to justify the massage session plan;
• Wellness and relaxation massage therapy and other relevant techniques in a safe and effective manner;
• Session evaluation; information regarding client self-management;
• Professional presentation and behaviour according to the MNZ Code of Ethics;
• Referral of a client to an appropriate health professional when necessary.