Foreign Massage Diploma Equivalency
If you have studied massage therapy abroad and you wish join AMQ or RMQ or RMPQ so that you may obtain your license and work as a registered massage therapist in Quebec, we can help you.
Have You Already Completed Massage Therapy Training?
If you completed massage therapy training in another country or province you may not need to start your training over from the beginning.
At Académie Om, we can evaluate your previous education and experience, identify any requirements that may still be missing, and guide you through the steps needed to obtain to join a massage association as a licenced massage therapist.
The process begins with a review of your existing training.
Step 1 — Send Us Your Documents
Email the following documents to academie@vibrationsom.com:
Copies of your massage therapy diplomas or certificates
Course transcripts showing the subjects studied and number of training hours completed
We will review your education and let you know what, if anything, you still need to complete.
Each equivalency pathway is determined individually based on the candidate’s previous education and professional experience.
400-Hour Diploma Requirements
To obtain equivalency toward our 400-hour massage therapy diploma, your previous training must collectively cover the following areas:
Theoretical Courses:
Ethics & Professionalism
Client Counselling
Sexuality
Communication & Client Assessment
Anatomy & Physiology
Pathology & Massage Contraindications
Practical Courses:
Training in at least one complete massage technique is required.
Example: Swedish Massage, Thai Massage, Shiatsu, Ayurvedic Massage or any other recognized massage modality.
Missing Theoretical Courses
The six theoretical courses listed above are required.
If one or more of these subjects were not included in your previous training, you do not need to repeat an entire massage therapy program.
Missing theoretical courses can be completed independently through at-home study with Académie Om.
For each required course:
You study the corresponding material independently using our course manual.
When you feel ready, you come in for a multiple-choice exam covering all the courses you need to complete.
A passing grade of 65% is required.
A diploma or certificate is awarded for each successfully completed course.
There is no requirement to attend regularly scheduled classroom lessons for these equivalency courses.
What If I Do Not Pass an Exam?
If you do not obtain the required 65% passing grade, you may continue studying the material and take a make-up examination when you are ready.
Massage Practical Evaluation
Candidates seeking recognition of their previous massage training must also complete a practical massage evaluation with Académie Om.
The evaluation consists of providing one complete 60 minute massage treatment to our evaluator.
This allows us to verify that your practical abilities meet the expected professional standard before we recommend your equivalency.
During the evaluation, we assess areas including:
Client assessment and interview techniques
Massage techniques
Quality and confidence of touch
Draping techniques
Client comfort and safety
Professionalism and therapist conduct
Ability to identify and respect contraindications
Ability to adapt the treatment to the client’s needs
Communication before, during, and after the treatment
Overall structure and quality of the massage session
The purpose of the evaluation is not to determine whether you practice one particular style of massage exactly as we teach it. We are evaluating whether you demonstrate the knowledge, technical ability, safety, professionalism, and adaptability expected of a qualified massage therapist.
Fees
Evaluation of diplomas and transcripts:
Initial review to determine your individual equivalency pathway: Free
Theoretical course:
$150 per required course that you are missing
A diploma/certificate is awarded for each successfully completed course.
Course Manual if Theoretical courses are needed:
$92
Practical Massage Evaluation:
$200
The practical evaluation fee includes the evaluation itself and, when the equivalency requirements have been successfully completed, the preparation and submission of our recommendation to the massage association (AMQ, RMQ or RMPQ).
If you are unsuccessful:
Make-Up Theoretical Examination: $65
Make-Up Practical Massage Evaluation: $100
If you wish to book private one-on-one training sessions before or after your practical exam, the rate is $100 per hour.
How to Begin
To begin your equivalency assessment, email your diplomas and course transcripts to:
Once we have reviewed your documents, we will contact you with a personalized assessment explaining:
Which parts of your previous training can be recognized
Which requirements, if any, are still missing
Which theoretical courses you may need to complete
The steps and costs necessary to complete your equivalency
Our goal is to recognize the education and experience you already have while ensuring that every candidate meets the professional standards required for massage therapy practice.
We look forward to assisting you in obtaining your license to work as a massage therapist in Quebec.