Becoming a member
Individuals wishing to join the LCSP Canadian Branch must contact the Head Office by Post or by E-mail. An Application Form is available for download from this web site, or an information package can be mailed, including an Application Form. Qualification for Membership depends upon satisfying one of the following described categories.
Categories and Qualifications for Membership:
The Society considers its membership as:
- Full Membership shall be open to persons who have successfully completed approved training to a standard of proficiency so determined by the Council and who have had not less than 600 hours of practical experience in the profession, and training to a minimum of 2200 hours either part time or full time.
- Courses must provide instruction in the following:
- Anatomy to a level of understanding the function of the muscles of the body.
- Physiology to a level of understanding the mechanics of the joints of the body.
- Pathology to an understanding of the different conditions of soft tissue dysfunction as well as signs and symptoms of common conditions which may be contraindications to Massage.
- Assessment to the level of being able to make sound judgment of what is causing a soft tissue condition and the ability to decipher between the separate functions.
- Treatment by use of Massage techniques to affect a positive change in the conditions of which the Therapist has encountered.
- Training in the development of treatment programs including the use of nutrition and exercise as well as hands-on treatments of the particular conditions.
- The understanding of primary and secondary pathology, Hygiene, and Practice Management assuring that the therapist entering the field has satisfactory knowledge of understanding referrals, writing letters, filling out forms, proper terminology, as well as basic business skills.
- Members at this level may perform treatments for specific conditions which require the application of specific massage or related procedures to obtain the desired result. Members will have provided proof of their ability to perform assessment and treatment of soft tissue conditions. Only Members of this category are able to call themselves or use the term 'Remedial Massage Therapist'. Such membership will be designated by the letters - L.C.S.P. (Phys)
- Student Membership shall be open to bona-fide students of the profession. Such membership shall not be designated by any letters. Any student presently enrolled in an accredited training facility may apply for student membership in the Society. Proof of enrolment from the accredited facility must be provided to the Education Committee along with the application of membership. Accreditation is done by the Private Vocational Schools Regulations Act.
- Associate Membership shall be open to persons who have successfully completed an approved course of training to the requirement of the Council (as determined under Section 7) in either spheres described previously, and who have had less than 600 hours of practical experience in the field. Only Members of this category are able to call themselves or use the term 'Remedial Massage Practitioner'. Such membership will be designated by the letters - L.C.S.P. (Assoc)
New Admissions to the Associate Membership Category Closed December 31, 2000. - Affiliated Membership shall be open to persons who are registered members in good standing with a governing body for massage therapists in the province in which they are practicing. Another requirement for eligibility to this category of membership is that they meet all the current educational and membership requirements of the LCSP Canadian Branch.
- Fellowship shall be bestowed upon Members who have given distinguished service to the profession or Society. Fellowships are issued by the U.K. Council only, nominations for such honour may be put forward by the Canadian Branch Council. Such to be announced at the Annual General Meeting of the Society, subject to nomination and seconding of a candidate by Members of Council, and subject to a maximum appointment of two Fellowship Members in any one year. Such membership to carry the designated letters F.L.C.S.P.(Phys)
- Honorary Memebership may be conferred by agreement in Council on outside persons who are genuinely associated with the profession and work of this Society. Such membership shall carry no designated letters, except in those cases where such Member has formerly been in Full or Associate membership, when the appropriate designated letters may be retained.
- Non-Practising Memebership is open, at the discretion of Council, to enrolled Members who, for one reason or another, are not engaged in professional practice during the relevant year of membership. Such members retain their former rights of membership with the exclusion of insurance coverage.
- Retirement Memebership is available, at the discretion and consent of Council, only to long-standing Members of the Society who, for reason of age or infirmity, have retired permanently from professional practice. Such members may retain the use of the designatory letters of membership after their names.
How To Join
Persons wishing to join the LCSP Canadian Branch, should contact the LCSP Canadian Branch head office.
Link to Application Form
Membership Fees For The Society
Fees The membership fee in respect of the current year is payable in full on enrollment, and extends until December 31st of that year. Annual fees thereafter are payable in advance by January 1st of each year. Applications submitted during the year shall be prorated. Applications following April 1st shall be 3/4 of the amount reflected in the yearly fees; following July 1st shall be 1/2 of the amount reflected in the yearly fees; and following October 1st shall be 1/4 of the amount reflected in the yearly fees. GST must be added to all fees.
- Associate and Full Membership: $222.60 (includes $12.60 GST)
- Affiliated Membership: $ 106.00 (includes $6.00 GST)
- Student Membership: Free
- Non-practicing and Retiring: $53.00 (includes $3.00 GST)
- Fellowships to Society: no fee
- Honorary Members: no fee
Please be sure to send the correct amount with your application for membership.
All cheques, postal orders, etc., should be made payable to “The London and Counties Society of Physiologists Canadian Branch”. The Society's official receipt will be issued in respect of all payment received. These guidelines are in respect of the Rules, Aims and Objectives of the LCSP Canadian Branch and should there be any discrepancy in the interpretation of this and the Rules, Aims and Objectives of the Society, the Rules, Aims and Objectives, will prevail.
Continuing Education
All Associate, Full and Fellowship Members, other than those registered as Retired or Non-practicing, must acquire 40 hours of continued education every 3 years to maintain membership.
Certificate Of Membership
- A Certificate of Membership shall be issued to each Member, (except to Student Members), such certificate to remain the property of the Society, and to be returned on termination of membership.
- The certificate must not be used in any way which would be injurious to, or adversely affect the interests of the Society, or it may, at the discretion of the Council, be forfeited.
- The membership certificate of the Society must be placed in clear view of the public, within the premises of the treatment area. Those with traveling practices must at all times have the certificate available for the patient's observation. Duplicate certificates may be requested in writing to the Membership Director.