Frequently Asked Questions
Academic Program
What sets PCCMT apart from other schools?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy (PCCMT) is affiliated with Health & Wellness Colleges of Canada (HWCC), which has been providing inspired flexible learning for over 22 years. HWCC has ten campuses across Western Canada, and offers evening and weekend schedules to accommodate all lifestyles. As an affiliated school, PCCMT strives to provide the highest quality of Massage Therapy education and is proud to support the continued success of its students. Smaller class sizes with lower student-to-instructor ratios to encourage hands-on interactive learning.
Our Massage Therapy school is located in Vancouver, BC.
PCCMT offers a flexible program unlike anything else – students can train for their new Massage Therapy careers without putting their lives on hold. Apply today!
What is the difference between the Year 1 and the Year 2?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy (Vancouver) offers a two-year program that provides massage therapy training. The programs accredits students with the 2200 hours of required training to become a Registered Massage Therapist.
Year 1 is 8 months (30 weeks) in length and accredits students with 1000 hours of massage therapy training. This portion of the program develops the foundational knowledge of massage therapy and focuses on relaxation techniques and treatments. Year 1 is the pre-requisite for Year 2.
Year 2 is 10 months (44 weeks) in length and accredits students with 1200 hours of massage therapy training. This portion of the program expands on the foundational knowledge of massage therapy by introducing advanced techniques and special condition treatments.
What can I expect from the Year 1 program?
Take a look at the incredible areas you’ll study as a student at PCCMT Vancouver:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Musculoskeletal Anatomy Theory & Practical
- Conditions & Contraindications
- Massage Techniques
- Manual Skills
- Hydrotherapy
- Self care
- Ethics
- Business Marketing & Communication
- Demonstrations of Alternative Techniques
What can I expect from the Year 2 program?
The Year 2 Massage Therapy Program is 1200 hours over 44 weeks. Hands-on training, experienced instruction & clinical practice will ensure a successful career in massage therapy. PCCMT’s comprehensive program guides you through a curriculum that integrates theory and practice. Classroom experience is complemented with the best hands-on training available in the massage therapy industry. The PCCMT student clinic is located in Vancouver and provides the experience that ensures massage therapy graduates enter their new careers with confidence.
Areas of Study:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Musculoskeletal Anatomy
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Neurology
- Pain and Stress Management
- Manual Skills
- Clinical Assessment
- Hydrotherapy
- Athletic Treatments
- Remedial Exercises
- Kinesiology
- Joint Play
- General Orthopedic Treatment
- Nutrition
- Alternative Skills & Techniques
- Client Case Studies
Massage Therapy Students will have a profound understanding in orthopaedic assessment and treatment and may challenge provincial certification exams in regulated provinces.
What is directed home-study?
Everything students need to know is covered in class and students complete the majority of their preparations, assignments, etc. at home online. This structure allows for the in-class time to be more constructive and hands-on and also allows students to schedule their revision around their current lifestyles. Home study hours are not included in the total program hours.
PCCMT massage therapy students are provided with the resources required for success. Students have access to an online learning management system that supports their independent learning. The online student portal provides access to lecture videos, practice exams, and many other resources. Reviewing these resources is mandatory for completion of your program requirements. Additionally, massage therapy students are supplied with a binder, modules, textbooks, massage table, linens, professional attire, etc.
What can I expect from guided instruction?
Guided instruction includes in-person learning at our Vancouver campus and virtual instruction.
For the weekend classes, during each in-person massage therapy class begins with a written exam on the home study material. For the evening classes, exams are every 4th or 5th week, depending on the number of evenings allotted to the module. Following the exam, new material is covered using diverse teaching methods such as presentations, videos, group activities and hands-on palpation. PCCMT’s main focus is on exceptional hands-on techniques, which is why students practice hands-on skills as much as possible. Marks are based on professionalism, homework assignments, exams, and practical skills.
Virtual instruction is held for a total of 20 hours each week. Students log into a video meeting platform.
Who are the PCCMT instructors/clinic supervisors?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy is proud to declare that all in-class instructors and teaching assistants, as well as student clinic supervisors, are Registered Massage Therapists in good standing. Instructors have a minimum two years of experience in the massage therapy industry, and teaching assistants, supervisors, and campus/student liaisons have a minimum of two years of experience. The massage therapy student clinic is located in Vancouver, BC.
What are the entrance requirements?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy requires the following for admission into the program:
- Government Issued Identification showing 19 years or older
- Proficiency in reading and writing English as demonstrated by a minimum grade of C in a High School Diploma or Higher Education. Failure to provide evidence of this, candidates are required to achieve at least 65% in the TrackTest™ English Proficiency Assessment Exam.
- First aid and CPR Certificate
- Clean Criminal Record Check
If you have previous massage therapy education, you may qualify for direct entry to our Year 2 program.
How do I apply?
Learn more on our Vancouver Massage Therapy program on our Admissions page then head to the Application to get started! A PCCMT Student Advisor can guide you through every step along the way.
Contact Us | Admissions | Apply Now
Program Schedule
Is this an online, part-time, or full-time program?
The programs offered at Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy are full-time, as recognized by PTIB. The structure of PCCMT’s program is different than other full-time programs – a number of the hours are completed online and through in person work experiences. The practical skills are taught in person at the Vancouver campus.
What is the in-class schedule?
The programs at Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy are offered in two schedules: Evenings or Weekends. The evening classes are conducted one evening per week. The weekend classes are conducted one full weekend every three to four weeks (approximately once per month). Evening classes operate from 5:30pm to 10:00pm. Weekend classes operate from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Saturdays, and from 8:00am to 5:00pm on Sundays. The rest of the massage therapy program is completed through a directed home-study and clinic practicum.
Students will attend an additional 5 hours per week of virtual learning.
What if I have questions away from the in-class sessions?
PCCMT takes student success seriously. Massage Therapy Students are provided with the support they need to be successful. Instructors are available by phone or email with a response time of one business day. Administration staff are also available during these hours for any student inquiries.
PCCMT also offers a mentorship program to its students. Apply today!
How long is the program in total?
When both Massage Therapy programs are completed at our Vancouver Campus, students have the combined competencies to sit a Massage Registration Exam in Canada. Currently, this will require the student traveling to New Brunswick or Newfoundland to challenge the Entry to Practice exam. PCCMT will cover the costs associated with travel, accommodation and provide a per diem for food costs for the students, as a stipend, upon confirmation of their enrolment to write the out-of-province exams.
Why is your program 2200 hours of training when other programs are shorter/longer?
PCCMT is designed to give you the all-around training and support it takes to become a skilled and competent Registered Massage Therapist.
PCCMT adheres to the nationally recognized standards for Canadian entry-into-practice requirements. The 2200 hours are made up of blended classroom hours, outreach and work experience (clinical practicum).
Other Massage Therapy programs may be shorter than 2200 hours – graduates of those programs may not be able to register upon completion. Some colleges offer longer programs – anything over 2200 hours is not stipulated as a requirement to practice as a Registered Massage Therapist in Canada.
Are there any holidays or summer breaks?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy observes all provincial and statutory holidays.
If Massage Therapy students wish to take an extended break between the Year 1 and Year 2 programs, they will have the option to defer their second-year enrolment to a later intake date.
Student Clinic/Practicum
What are the work experience requirements?
Massage Therapy students at Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy complete a clinic practicum component in both the Year 1 and Year 2 programs. In the Year 1 program, Massage Therapy students complete 60 competencies over the course of 15 weeks. In the Year 2 program, Massage Therapy students complete 160 competencies over the course of 44 weeks. Students will complete these hours at the in-house Student Clinic. The Student Massage Therapy clinic is located in Vancouver, BC.
PCCMT also places students in a reception role which teaches them how to run the business side of a clinic.
Do I need to create/find my own client base?
Massage Therapy Students are encouraged to bring clients into the Student Clinic in order to begin building their client base. The PCCMT Vancouver clinic also advertises online and runs local promotions to help drive more clients to the clinic.
The Massage Therapy Student Clinic atmosphere is an excellent way for students to develop professional relationships which helps to create their own client base in the future. When a massage therapy student graduates, PCCMT encourages them to take the client base they’ve built with them into their new practice.
What are the required clinic shift hours?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy offers flexible clinic shift scheduling to accommodate a range of student availability. The Student Clinic operates on various days of the week and offers shifts throughout the day and evening. The most common hours of operation are:
- Monday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
- Tuesday: 4:00pm – 9:30pm
- Thursday: 4:00pm – 9:30pm
- Friday: 10:00am – 3:00pm
*Please be aware that these shifts may differ.
Financial Aid
What is the cost of the program?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy offers a competitive cost-benefit analysis with a high level of training at an elite campus. The cost of the massage therapy program includes registration fees, tuition, and supplies. Supplies for both programs include:
- online learning management systems
- textbooks
- binders
- modules
- clinic supplies
- professional attire, etc.
Additionally, in Year 1, massage therapy students receive their own massage table, linens, and gel/lotion/oil sample packs. If you would like a detailed breakdown of how your investment is allocated, please see the links below.
How can I fund my tuition and school fees?
PCCMT offers an in-house Monthly Payment Plan which allows students to make tuition payments across multiple instalments. Some massage therapy students also receive approvals through their personal banking institutions for a Student Line-of-Credit.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! Learn more on our Financial Assistance Page or Contact Us to learn more.
Are there any “hidden” costs?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy provides full transparency across every aspect of operations. There are no hidden fees or additional costs. All costs and pricing are disclosed and explained before any student commits to enrolling.
Massage Therapy in Canada
How to become an RMT in BC?
Completing your massage therapy training with a recognized, licensed, and a 3-year accredited institution along with passing the required exams will allow you to join the regulated college, obtain professional liability and malpractice insurance, and practice as a Registered Massage Therapist.
In context to enrollment as a student at PCCMT,
On graduation, if PCCMT has not yet achieved its 3-year accreditation, applicants to the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) would need to fall under the labour mobility category. This means that PCCMT students would need to travel to New Brunswick or Newfoundland to take the Massage Registration examination in person.
Upon successful results of the registration exams, the student will then register to the college of the examination, as an out-of-province applicant, complete the jurisprudence course and then apply to CMTBC. PCCMT will cover the students cost of flights, accommodation and provide a per diem for food expenses, as a stipend, upon confirmation of their enrolment to write the out-of-province exams.
These travel costs are on average $1400 and will be covered by PCCMT. The Massage Registration costs whether taken in British Columbia or Out-of-Province are at the expense of the student and varies between $1200 – $1800.
For additional policy information regarding application and registration into CMTBC click here.
Are the programs at PCCMT recognized and accredited?
Pacific Coastal College of Massage Therapy is licensed under the private training institutions branch of Advanced Education in British Columbia. It is also a proud member of the British Columbia Career Colleges Association and Canadian Council of Massage Therapy Schools.
When can I start earning an income as a Massage Therapist?
On graduation, if PCCMT has not yet achieved its 3-year accreditation, applicants to the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) would need to fall under the labour mobility category.
This means that PCCMT students would need to travel to New Brunswick or Newfoundland to take the Massage Registration examination in person.
Upon successful results of the registration exams, the student will then register to the college of the examination, as an out-of-province applicant, complete the jurisprudence course and then apply to CMTBC. PCCMT will cover the students cost of flights, accommodation and provide a per diem for food expenses, as a stipend, upon confirmation of their enrolment to write the out-of-province exams.
These travel costs are on average $1400 and will be covered by PCCMT. The Massage Registration costs whether taken in British Columbia or Out-of-Province are at the expense of the student and varies between $1200 – $1800.
For additional policy information regarding application and registration into CMTBC click here.
On successfully meeting all the CMTBC requirements, the student is eligible to obtain a registration number, join an association, and begin practicing as a massage therapist.
Registration exams are 2-3 times per year, on average it could take 3 – 4 months to complete the registration processes after gradation.
