Qualifications & CPD Certification
Does My Professional Therapy Training Meet the Prerequisites?
Therapy training has expanded to include all kinds of training platforms and schools. Correct training ensures expertise, safety and effective practice – providing the foundation for success.
However, not all training courses lead to the same standards of practice and opportunities, which leads me to share industry guidelines to enlighten you about the significant differences that exist among various qualifications.
In the UK we have regulated and non-regulated training providers. The accepted standard of training is through regulated organisations such as ‘Ofqual’, The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. They regulate qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and report into parliament. This is important because by meeting their teaching requirements and syllabus, it ensures the same standard of teaching and methods are taught throughout the country. The teaching standard and process will adhere to internal and external independent verification of all work.
With non-regulated training providers the standard of teaching can be very good, but they are self-governing, which means the syllabus and verification meets the standards of the training school and are not independently assessed at a national level.
Therapy training which is all or mostly online for a first time therapist, is not accepted as meeting the professional standard of practice.
Blended learning programmes that include practical, tutor-led training may be considered.
If you are someone wanting to learn therapies and practice professionally, I strongly advise you click on the links below to the AoR and FHT websites to learn more about training standards and recommended providers before committing to any schools.
You will find the AoR, CThA and FHT extremely helpful in guiding you (please find further information at the end).
About Butterfly Touch Therapies Training Continual Professional Development (CPD) oncology courses:
The oncology courses are CPD accredited by UK & Australian National Therapy Associations for qualified professional therapists –
https://reflexology.org.au/reflexology-training/requirements/
The standards for professional practice are also set alongside the national therapy associations by the Complementary Therapy Healthcare Council (CNHC). CNHC are an organisation set up by the government to protect the public. They do this by providing an independent UK register of complementary healthcare practitioners. Protection of the public is their sole purpose.
They set the standards that practitioners need to meet to get onto and then stay on the register. All CNHC Registrants have agreed to be bound by the highest standards of conduct and have registered voluntarily. All of them are professionally trained and fully insured to practise.
CNHC is also the holder of an Accredited Register by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.
https://www.cnhc.org.uk/#gsc.tab=0
Note: It is not compulsory to be a member of the CNHC in order to practice professionally, however many integrated healthcare providers recommend this.
What are the UK prerequisites for professional practice:
Massage
Level 3 Diploma – (please note that online training to a level 3 diploma is not accepted as meeting professional standards.)
Reflexology
Level 3 Diploma – (please note that online training to a level 3 diploma is not accepted as meeting professional standards.)
Reiki
Level II Attunement – (please note that online training to a level II attunement is not accepted as meeting professional standards.)
International Qualifications
If your qualifications were gained outside the UK, we ask that you can demonstrate your training is recognised for professional practice within your own country.
You should:
- Hold appropriate insurance
- Meet your national professional standards
- Be eligible to treat members of the public professionally
Before enrolling, we recommend checking with your local professional association and insurer regarding oncology-related therapy training requirements.
You may also be asked to provide:
- Copies of your qualifications
- Evidence of professional membership
- Proof of insurance where applicable
Can I Enrol If I Do Not Meet the Professional Prerequisites?
YES
Anyone may enrol on our oncology training programmes to increase their understanding of complementary therapies in cancer care and integrated healthcare.
Previous participants have included:
- Hospice staff
- NHS professionals
- Cancer centre teams
- Healthcare educators
- Complementary therapists
However, professional prerequisites are required for therapists wishing to join the Butterfly Touch Therapies Training Oncology Register.
Will I Receive a CPD Certificate?
YES
Upon successful completion of your course, you will receive a CPD Certificate in your chosen therapy modality.
Please note:
- CPD certification is not a practitioner qualification.
- CPD certification does not provide insurance eligibility on its own.
- Professional therapy qualifications remain a separate requirement for practice.
Many professional bodies recognise CPD learning as part of ongoing professional development requirements, although acceptance varies between organisations.
Can I join the Butterfly Touch Therapies Training Oncology Register?
The Oncology Register is available to therapists who meet recognised professional practice standards within their own country and have completed the required oncology training.
We are proud to support therapists from around the world who are committed to delivering safe, evidence-informed cancer care.
Will I be able to access insurance to treat people with cancer?
Insurance is available to therapists who meet recognised professional practice standards and who have completed the required oncology training within the UK and in Australia. Insurers are:
We recommend you contact your insurance company to check that you can add the Oncology CPD training to your current policy before enrolling.
In UK:
- Balens
- Hiscox
- Holistic Health
- Westminster Insurance
- Alan Boswell (only to AoR members)
In Australia:
- A.J. Gallagher
We recommend you contact your insurance company to check that you can add the Oncology CPD training to your current policy before enrolling.
Recommendations On How To Achieve Professional Therapist Status:
As recommended by the AoR:
To qualify for AoR Membership the course must:
- Deliver an Ofqual regulated; university accredited or credit rated qualification
- Offer 49 or more hours of face to face teaching in your training (Provide Reflexology Module) Include 100 treatments
- Run face to face training for a period of more than 4 months
- Include these modules: Reflexology Practice Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology Complementary Therapies Business
University Courses and Credits A University would offer HE (Higher Education) credits which have been overseen by academics at a University, and corresponding checks for quality will have been undertaken by the University’s credit awarding committee. To enroll on a degree course or higher, you need to have the relevant number of credits for that course. Speaking to the university will help you understand what requirements there are. If there is a Reflexology Diploma course offering Credits, this does not always mean they are awarded by a university.
If they are not awarded by a university, it means the qualification might be taken into account by a university and the credits awarded could be converted to HE credits, should you wish to take your studies further. Not all courses offer credits which count towards HE credits, please speak to the course provider to understand this further if you plan to move onto university level learning.
Unsure about a course? check with the AoR first https://www.aor.org.uk/home/training/want-to-train/
As recommended by the FHT:
The FHT accepts practitioner level qualifications for therapy practice that meet the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Core Curricula (CC) where available, or hold the relevant prerequisites. As part of your application, the FHT will need to see copies of your qualification certificates.
Please note, the FHT does not accept or insure fully online learning for hands-on therapies such as body massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. Blended learning that combines online and practical training with a tutor may be considered.
See the therapies that the FHT accepts
Examples of Awarding Organisations that meet the FHT’s minimum standards of training are:
- C&G (City and Guilds)
- ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council)
- VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust)
- OTHM Qualifications (OfQual)
- CIBTAC (Confederation of International Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology)
- CIDESCO (Comite International d’Esthetique et de Cosmetologie)
- CYQ/YMCA (Central YMCA Qualifications)
- ECBS (European College of Bowen Studies) Accredited
- EDEXCEL BTEC
- FA / 1ST4SPORT (Football Association)
- IEB (International Examining Board)
- NCFE
- NOCN (National Open College Network)
- OCR / RSA (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
- PTI (Premier Training International) Sports Qualifications
- PIQ (Premier IQ International
- SCOTVEC (Scottish Vocational Education Council)
- SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority)
- UK University Degrees (BSc, MSc etc) (must include practical)
- VAI (Vocational Awards Institute)
- IIHHT(International Institute of Health & Holistic Therapies)
- IIST (International Institute of Sports Therapy) and
- IHBC (International Health and Beauty Council)
- Agored Cymru
- Focus Awards
The FHT also accepts practitioner level qualifications from private training schools that have been assessed as meeting the NOS and CC where available.
To check if your qualification meets these standards, please complete the qualification review form found at: