Council of Schools and Programs (COSP)
Membership
About COSP Membership
If you are a school or program that teaches an Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) program that meets the standards and requirements of the AOBTA® 500 Hour Curriculum, you might be eligible for membership in the AOBTA® Council of Schools and Programs (COSP).
The Council of Schools and Programs (COSP) is made up of those elite schools and programs providing training in a form of ABT that meets the rigorous standards for entry-level professional practice as an Asian Bodywork Therapist.
Do you qualify?
How do you know if your Asian Bodywork program qualifies for COSP membership? Simple. You can compare it to the curriculum requirements outlined in the following documents.
If your training program meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will qualify for COSP membership.
Competencies for the Professional Practice of ABT
If you’ve taken a look at the curriculum and dont think your program meets the standards yet… You can contact office@aobta.org to get help with upgrading your curriculum to meet entry-level professional standards.
How to Apply
Step 1 | Review Everything
Review all the support documents included below. These documents will clarify the basic required education that needs to be part of a qualifying Asian Bodywork Therapy curriculum. It is important for you to determine whether or not your program currently includes the required curriculum before beginning the application process.
Step 2 - Make an Appointment with the COSP Navigator
Make an appointment with the AOBTA® Association Management Office (office@aobta.org). After reviewing the documentation included in Step 1, one of two things will have happened…
You will see that your school meets the requirements and you are ready to being the application process,
or you will see that your school’s ABT program needs some additions or adjusting in order to qualify as an entry-level professional training ABT program.
The AOBTA® office can help guide you through the application process, or to arrange for you to meet with our Directors of COSP and Education to discuss how your ABT program can be updated in order to qualify.
Step 3 - Complete the Application Form & Submit the Required Documentation
If you are ready to apply for COSP membership, please complete the application form, click the button below. This form will be submitted as part of your Candidate Application Packet.
Submit the required documentation that you gathered in Step 2 to the AOBTA® office (office@aobta.org).
Step 4 - Pay the Application Fee
Pay your COSP application fee ($300). This is a one time application fee.
You can pay this fee:
with a credit card by calling the office at 484.841.6023 (Ext. 3)
with a credit card through the AOBTA store: PAY HERE
by sending a check (made out to AOBTA) to: AOBTA, PO Box 293, Jefferson City, MO 65102
If accepted for membership, annual dues for COSP membership is $300.
Step 5 - Application Packet is Submitted for Review
The AOBTA® staff will organize your application form and required documentation into a Candidate Application Packet that will then be submitted to the review team.
The review team will consist of at least 3 AOBTA® Certified Instructors (either the Director of COSP or the Director of Education will be one of them). The team will include a Certified Instructor(s) trained in the ABT Form your school is teaching.
This review process can take a few months. If the review team has questions or needs additional information, they will contact you directly.
Step 6 - Completion of the Review and Awarding of Membership
Upon the completion of the team's review, they will notify you of the results.=
If awarded COSP membership, the AOBTA® staff will work with you to set up your membership profile and website presence; plan for an introductory meeting with your ABT program instructors and students; and do a review of the membership features and benefits available to you.
Upon approval, you will also be required to submit the annual dues of $300 for your first year of membership.