Registration services
We assess applicants against provincial requirements, register those who qualify, and maintain the public register of every RMT in Ontario.
Becoming an RMTAbout CMTO
The College, and the public it protects.
CMTO is the statutory regulator of Ontario’s Registered Massage Therapists. We exist for one reason — to protect the public interest — and we have regulated the profession since 1919.
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Our role
One job: protect the public interest.
The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario is not a school, and it does not advocate on behalf of the profession. Under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Massage Therapy Act, 1991, CMTO regulates massage therapy so that Ontarians can trust the care they receive.
Everything we do flows from that mandate — from the requirements to earn the protected titles, to the public register, to the standards RMTs must meet and the way we respond when something goes wrong.
“CMTO is dedicated to excellence in protecting the public interest, guiding registrants and promoting the highest possible quality of the practice of Massage Therapy.”
Our mission“Regulatory excellence, promoting public trust, and safe, quality Massage Therapy.”
Our visionWhat we do
Four kinds of work, one purpose.
Behind the register and the rulebook, the College’s day-to-day work falls into four areas — each accountable to the public it serves.
Professional practice
We set the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, run the STRiVE quality-assurance program, and give registrants practice guidance.
For RMTsClient relations
We support the public — including funding for therapy and counselling for anyone who has been sexually abused by an RMT.
For the publicProfessional conduct
We receive and investigate every complaint, hold discipline hearings that are open to the public, and inform the public about illegal practitioners.
Concerns & complaintsSince 1919
A century of regulated care.
Massage therapy earned its place in Ontario healthcare during the First World War. At orthopaedic centres, soldiers recovering from injury were treated with hydrotherapy and massage — at the peak, nearly 2,000 soldiers a day. That work established massage therapy as valued, skilled healthcare.
Ontario has regulated the profession ever since. For more than a hundred years, the same promise has held: that anyone booking a massage therapist can trust they are qualified, accountable, and held to a public standard.
Governance
Led by a Board, in the public interest.
CMTO is overseen by a Board — much like a board of directors — made up of RMTs elected by their peers and public members appointed by the government. Its committees carry out the College’s statutory work, from registration and quality assurance to inquiries, complaints and discipline.
Board and committee meetings, election processes and orientation are all documented publicly, so the profession and the people it serves can see how decisions are made.
Legislation & by-laws
The law behind the College.
CMTO’s authority — and its limits — come from provincial legislation. The College also makes by-laws that govern its own operation, fees and register.
Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991
The framework that governs Ontario’s regulated health professions, including massage therapy.
Massage Therapy Act, 1991
The profession-specific statute that establishes CMTO and the protected titles.
CMTO by-laws
Rules the College sets for its own governance, fees (By-Law No. 7) and the public register (By-Law No. 8).
Read the statutes and by-laws in full: Legislation and by-laws →
Accountability & transparency
Open about how we work.
A regulator answers to the public. CMTO publishes its plans, its performance and its corporate records — and invites feedback on the standards and by-laws it develops.
Strategic Plan 2026–2030
The College’s priorities and direction for the years ahead.
Read the planPerformance measurement
How CMTO measures itself as a regulator, through the College Performance Measurement Framework.
View the frameworkCorporate documents
Annual reports, financial statements and governance records.
Browse documentsFair registration practices
Reporting on transparent, fair and timely registration for applicants.
Read the reportsProvide your feedback
Open consultations on draft standards, the Code of Ethics and proposed by-laws.
See consultationsCareers at CMTO
Job postings and opportunities to work in health regulation.
View openingsNewsroom
Latest from the College
Procurement
Request for Proposal: New Website Design, Development and Maintenance
Read more → ConsultationProvide Your Feedback — Proposed Changes to By-Law No. 7: Fees
Read more → Media releaseKwangho Lee — CMTO Confirms Investigation into Sexual Assault Charge, Urges Victims to Come Forward
Read more →Contact
Talk to the College.
1867 Yonge Street, Suite 810, Toronto, ON M4S 1Y5 · 416-489-2626 · Toll-free 1-800-465-1933