Massage Therapy CEs | Diversity, Ethics, Human Trafficking & HIV Courses

Ethics - Boundary Setting (Standard V)

Ethics in Action: Roles and Boundaries for Massage Therapists

Confident, compassionate boundaries are the foundation of a safe and ethical massage therapy practice. This 3-hour (2-hour for Florida) online continuing education course gives you practical tools you can use immediately, both in and out of the treatment room. It fulfills the NCBTMB Standard V Ethics requirement for roles and boundaries.

Whether you’ve struggled with letting others push past your limits or found yourself reacting defensively when your boundaries are crossed, this course will equip you with the clarity and confidence to respond differently. Through real-world scenarios and a calm, four-step boundary-setting process, you’ll learn how to establish and enforce healthy boundaries in a way that feels professional, respectful, and effective—even if you’ve previously felt timid or unsure.

In this course, you will:

Understand ethical roles and boundaries as defined by NCBTMB and how they apply to client interactions, communication, and touch.

Learn to recognize boundary violations (both subtle and overt) and respond to them with clarity.

Practice a simple, four-step process for addressing boundary issues calmly and professionally—even under pressure.

Explore your own personal limits and how to honor them in a therapeutic setting without guilt or overreaction.

Whether you’re just starting your practice or have been in the field for years, this course will empower you to hold space with strength and integrity—while protecting yourself and your clients from ethical missteps.

Because setting boundaries isn’t about confrontation—it’s about clarity, compassion, and care. Enroll today and take a step toward a more confident, ethical practice.

Massage Therapy continuing education CEs awarded:

3 for NCBTMB Standard V Roles and Boundaries.
2 with CEBroker. (Therapists whose licenses require course completions submitted to CE Broker will receive TWO CEs, as that is the maximum number of ethics hours that count toward your renewal.)

Classification of CE Hours: Ethics

Tuition: $24.

Testing: You will complete your test online, and immediately upon passing, print your certificate. To see how our online courses and testing work, we invite you to take our free sample course.

Approved by: Institute of Somatic Therapy (Judith Koch) is approved by the NCBTMB (Provider #280672-00) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Institute of Somatic Therapy is approved by Florida (#MCE-326), and New York (#0019). Our courses are also valid for AMTA, ABMP, and most individual states. Some states limit how many hours can be done online or by home study. Please refer to our State Guidelines section for specific information about your state. Laws can and do change, and your state will hold you responsible for knowing the laws that apply to you.

CE Broker Reporting: This course is worth TWO CE's with CE Broker, because 2 CEs is the maximum allowable ethics hours per renewal cycle. Institute of Somatic Therapy will automatically report your hours to CE Broker in applicable states ONLY IF you have provided your license number in your online account with us.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

I’m not comfortable with confrontation—will this course help me enforce boundaries calmly?

Absolutely. The course teaches a simple, four-step boundary-setting process that anyone can use—even those who are naturally quiet, non-confrontational, or hesitant. You'll gain language and confidence to speak up with professionalism and kindness.

Are there practical examples and role-play scenarios included?

Yes. The course includes real-world case examples and guided scenarios to help you recognize boundary issues and apply what you’ve learned in a realistic context. These examples prepare you to handle challenging situations with grace and clarity.

To contact the Institute of Somatic Therapy about this or any other massage therapy CEU course, you can email us through the "contact" link above. Thank you.