AOBTA® Membership Requirements

Student Level Membership requirements
Please complete the Student application form and send it along with the written components and fees to the national headquarters. Be sure to include a letter from the school you are attending or the name of the AOBTA® Certified Instructor or Practitioner with whom you are currently studying. Send in your application and a check in the amount of $60.00 ($50.00 yearly membership dues plus $10.00 application fee). Student members will be accepted into the AOBTA® if they are enrolled in programs or taught by AOBTA® Certified Instructors or Certified Practitioners. Student membership must be upgraded to active membership within 3 years. Students must submit a School or Program transcript as proof of enrollment.

Associate Level Membership requirements
Please complete the Associate application form and send it along with your written requirements and fees to the National Headquarters. If you are currently enrolled in an AOBTA® COSP School or Program, be sure to enclose a copy of you transcript. If you did not attend a COSP school or program, complete and sign the enclosed 150-hour transcript form and have your AOBTA® Certified Instructor sign it. Send in transcript, application form and a check in the amount of $105.00 ($75.00 yearly membership dues plus $30.00 application fee). Acceptance in the AOBTA® as an Associate Member will be granted to applicants who have completed a 150-hour training program supervised by an AOBTA® Certified instructor or Certified Practitioner and who have provided evidence of 100 documented treatment sessions.

150 Hour Curriculum Overview
100 Hours		Asian bodywork technique and practice
50 Hours		Chinese medical theory
100 Hours		Applicants will be required to document 100 treatment sessions.

Traditional Chinese Medical Theory (50 Hours, Associate)

General Theory
1. Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2. Basic cosmology
3. Comparison of eastern & western medicine, including the basic concepts of disease and treatment in each
Yin and Yang
1. Concepts of Yin/Yang
2. Yin/Yang relationships
3. Yin/Yang imbalances in the body
Fundamental Substances of the Body (descriptions)
1. Qi (Ki)
2. Blood (Xue)
3. Jing (Essence)
4. Shen (Spirit)
5. Fluids
Five Elements (Five Transformations)
1. Description
2. Generation and control cycles
3. Five elements related to the body
4. Basic correspondences
The Organs: functions, description and typical signs of imbalance or disturbed function
1. The five Zang (Yin) organs (viscera) plus the pericardium
2. The six Fu (Yang) organs (bowels)
Meridians/Channels and Effective Points (30 Hour Minimum)
1. Twelve regular meridians (external/superficial and internal/deep)
  1. Description
  2. Paired relationships
  3. Order and direction of circulation (24 hour cycle)
  4. Anatomical location
2. Eight Extraordinary Vessels
  1. Description
3. Effective points
  1. General description
  2. Anatomical location and main indications
    1. Source points (Yuan points)
    2. Front Mu (Bo or alarm) points
    3. Back Shu (Yu or associated) points
    4. Beginning and ending points
Evaluation — the Four Examinations (General Overview)
1. Looking (Observation)
  1. Spirit
  2. Complexion
  3. Body appearance
  4. Tongue
2. Listening/Smelling
3. Asking
4. Palpating
  1. Pulse
  2. Hara
  3. Meridians and points
  4. Mu and Shu points

Discipline, Technique & Practice (100 Hours)

Technique — Lecture, Demonstration and Practice (35 Hours)
1. Definition and history of discipline
2. Effects on major body systems
3. Contraindications and potentially harmful techniques
4. Principles of manipulations
5. Full body treatment
6. Passive and active exercises
Supervised Classroom Practice (65 hours)
1. This is supervised. Practice performed on other students and instructors
Legal Considerations and Ethics: should include minimum of 9 hours of the following topics:
1. Professional conduct
2. Communication skills
3. Issues pertaining to professional integrity
4. Confidentiality
5. Awareness of local law and legislation
6. Health history and referrals

100 treatment sessions must be documented and verified by the supervising Instructor.

Certified Practitioner Level Membership requirements
Please complete the CP application form and send it along with your written components and fees to the national headquarters. If you attended an AOBTA® COSP School or Program, please be sure to enclose a copy of your transcript. If you have a Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM) Certificate or STAO-CST Certificate, please be sure to enclose a copy. If you do not have any of those qualifications, please complete the 500-hour transcript form and have your AOBTA® Certified Instructor sign it. Send in transcript, application form and a check in the amount of $130.00 ($100.00 yearly membership dues and $30.00 application fee).

Acceptance in the AOBTA® as a Certified Practitioner will be granted to:

- Graduates of a School or program who are a participating member of COSP (Council of Schools and Programs). School or Program transcripts must be submitted with the membership application.

OR

- Completion of a 500-hour program taught by an AOBTA® Certified Instructor. A 500-hour transcript (enclosed) must be signed and approved by at least one AOBTA® Certified Instructor. This signed transcript must be submitted along with the membership application.

500 Hour Curriculum Overview
160 Hours		Asian Bodywork technique and practice (Up to 10 Hours may be for treatments received from an AOBTA® Certified Practitioner).
100 Hours		Chinese Medical Theory
70 Hours		Observed clinical practice
100 Hours		Western anatomy & physiology
70 Hours		Other, such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or continuing education. This must include First Aid, CPR and business, legal, and ethical considerations.)

500 Hour Curriculum Certified Practitioner Level

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (100 hours)

Osteology nomenclature, structure and function of the skeletal system
(15 hrs. minimum)
Myology structure and function of the muscular system, including origins and insertions)
(30 hrs. minimum)
Structure and Function of the Other Major Systems
1. Integumentary
2. Digestive
3. Neurological
4. Respiratory
5. Cardiovascular
6. Lymphatic
7. Urinary and Reproductive
8. Endocrine

CHINESE MEDICAL THEORY (100 hours minimum)

General Theory
1. Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2. Basic Cosmology
  1. Ch'i: Definitions, functions
  2. Concepts of Tao, Chi, Yin/Yang, 10,000 things...
  3. Six energies
  4. Five elements
3. Comparison of eastern & western medicine: including the basic concepts of disease and treatment in each
Yin/Yang
1. Concepts of Yin/Yang-properties and principles
2. Yin/Yang relationships
3. Yin/Yang imbalances in the body
Five Elements (Five Transformations)
1. Description, historical basis, and context within Chinese philosophy
2. Laws of the five elements (cycles)
3. Five elements related to the body
4. Correspondences
Fundamental Substances of the Body (descriptions, functions and relationships among them)
1. Qi (Ki)
2. Blood (Xue)
3. Jing (Essence)
4. Shen (Spirit)
5. Fluids
The Organs - Visceral Manifestation Theory (functions, description and typical signs of imbalance of disturbed functions)
1. The five Zang (Yin) organs (viscera) plus the pericardium
2. The six Fu (Yang) organs (bowels) including triple warmer theory
3. The curious organs/strange Fu (Brain, Uterus, Gall Bladder)
Channels and Effective Points (30 hrs. minimum)
1. Twelve regular channels (external/superficial and internal/deep)
  1. Description
  2. Function and relationship with organs
  3. Paired relationships
  4. Order and direction of circulation (24 hour cycle)
  5. Anatomical location
  6. Main pathological signs
2. Eight Extraordinary Vessels
  1. Description
  2. Function
  3. Anatomical location
  4. Main pathological signs
3. Tendino-Muscular Pathways or Channels
4. Cutaneous Regions
5. Effective Points
  1. General description
  2. Anatomical location and main indications
    1. Twelve general points (LI 4, ST 36, SP 6, SI 10, BL40/54, GB20, GB 21, GB 30, LV 3, CV 4, CV 17, GV 20)
    2. Tonification and sedation points
    3. Source points (Yuan points)
    4. Lou connecting points
    5. Front Mu (Bo or alarm points)
    6. Back Shu (Yu or associated points)
    7. Beginning and ending points
Evaluation — the Four Examinations
1. Looking (observation)
  1. Spirit
  2. Complexion
  3. Body appearance
  4. Tongue
2. Listening/Smell
3. Asking
4. Palpating (Touching)
  1. Pulse
  2. Hara
  3. Channels and points
  4. Mu and Shu Points
Pathology — Causes and Patterns of Disease or Imbalance
1. Etiology - cause of the imbalance
  1. Exogenous causes - the six exogenic pathogens
  2. Endogenous causes - the seven emotions
  3. Other causes - infections, injury and lifestyle
2. Patterns of Imbalances and Assessment
  1. The Eight Principles
  2. Zang-Fu organ patterns
  3. The Six Channels (Divisions)
  4. The General Theory of Channels
  5. The Five Elements
  6. The Four Levels (Defense, Qi, Nutritive, Blood)
  7. The Three Heaters

DISCIPLINE TECHNIQUE & PRACTICE (160 hrs. minimum)

Technique — Lecture and Demonstration
1. Definition and history of modality
2. Theory relative to modality including effects on major body systems
3. Contraindications and potentially harmful techniques (cautions)
4. Principles of manipulations
5. Full body treatment
6. Passive and active exercises
Treatment oriented application — Lecture and Demonstration
1. Assessment and evaluation
2. Integration of techniques focused upon pathologies likely
3. To be treated by practitioners
Supervised Classroom Practice on Other Students and Instructors
(80 hrs. minimum)
Sessions Received from a Certified Instructor in the Discipline Being Studied (10 hrs. optional)

CLINICAL APPLICATION (70 Hours)

Supervised Clinical Practice
1. Students will have the opportunity to integrate all of their training and practice in providing sessions for the general public in a supervised atmosphere (A professional environment will be maintained at all times)
  1. There will be constant, qualified supervision at all times
  2. During a client's first visit, a complete case history will be taken
  3. Session summaries will be written after each patient's visit
  4. "Rounds" will be regulary held so that students can share their sessions, interesting aspects, problems and successes with their peers
During the program each student will be required to perform at least 50 documented sessions

OTHER (70 Hours)

Other topics relative to the practice of Asian Bodywork Therapy at the discretion of the teacher (A survey of other Asian Bodywork Therapies is recommended)
Somewhere in the program business, legal considerations, and ethics must be covered
All students must have completed a First Aid and CPR course, valid at the time of graduation

Registered Instructor Level Membership requirements
Please complete the RI application form and send it along with the written components and fees to the national headquarters. The AOBTA® members created this level of membership in order to serve three functions: an incentive for those who wish to use it as a step/preparation towards upgrading to CI; a viable alternative for those who do not wish to have their own program or meet the requirements of CI, yet are valuable skilled instructors in the field of ABT and/or Chinese Medicine; and a way to spread the work of ABT to underserved and remote areas.

Certified Instructor Level Membership requirements
We consider the rank of Certified Instructor in the AOBTA® a credential reserved for experienced and inspiring teachers who have demonstrated the highest standards of excellence and expertise in communicating to others a deep understanding of Asian bodywork. Please complete the CI application form and send it along with the written components and fees to the national headquarters. The purpose of the Certified Instructor interview is to provide a mechanism whereby candidates can meet with a panel of recognized Certified Instructors in order to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to teach Asian bodywork theory and practice. Most interviews are conducted at the annual AOBTA® Convention.

If you have not trained with an AOBTA® Certified Instructor, or do not have a Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM) or STAO-CST certificate, you will need to have submitted materials reviewed and transcript form signed by an AOBTA® Certified Instructor. Contact the national office if you need a list of AOBTA® Certified Instructors in your area.

For further information contact AOBTA® national headquarters, Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST.

Thank you for your interest in AOBTA®. We look forward to serving you.

© Copyright 2008 AOBTA®. All Rights Reserved.
AOBTA® is a registered trademark of American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia.
Please click for our Privacy/Refund/Shipping Policies.
Site design and maintenance by 5 happiness webmaster.