Print advertising in Massage & Bodywork magazine is another excellent opportunity to spread the word about your program. The Display Showcase Education section is the perfect place for your school's or seminar's listing and logo. Contact Angie Parris-Raney at 800-458-2267 ext. 641 or e-mail angie@abmp.com with any questions or to receive a media kit.



ABMP Recommended Instructor Code of Conduct
Copyright © Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.

As an instructor at a school for massage therapy and bodywork, I hereby pledge to abide by the Code of Conduct outlined below.

Practice

• Practice a commitment to serve in the best interests of my students' well-being at all times and to provide the highest quality of safe, ethical, professional and consistent service.
  
  
• Refrain from discriminating or behaving in any prejudicial manner.
  
  
• Practice professional communications and conduct.
  
  
• Conduct all business and professional activities within the scope of practice and the laws of the state.
  
  
• Acknowledge the limitations of skills and, when necessary, refer students to the appropriate qualified healthcare professional in the interest of the student.
  
  
• Maintain current knowledge of indications and contraindications of massage.
  
  
• Maintain consistent accepted standards of sanitation, hygiene, safety and universal precautions.

• Listen and encourage communication to ensure that representations of the educational process, policies and procedures are accurately communicated to the student.
  
  
• Share my knowledge and experience in an accurate, truthful and ethical manner. Actively participate in educating the students and the public regarding the benefits of massage and do not make false claims regarding the potential benefits of the techniques rendered.
  
  
• If I possess knowledge that a student: committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on the student's competence in massage therapy, trustworthiness or fitness to practice massage therapy in other respects; or engaged in an act or practice that significantly undermines the massage therapy profession; or engaged in conduct that creates a risk of serious harm for the physical or emotional well being of a recipient of massage therapy; I shall report such knowledge to the owner of this school.

• Respect the student's right to courtesy, respect, dignity and responsiveness. Relate to the student in a manner that respects the integrity of the instructor/student relationship.
  
  
• Refrain from providing services while under the influence of any mind-altering drugs, alcohol, or intoxicants.
  
  
• Refrain from engaging in any sexual conduct or sexual activities involving students.

• Massage & Bodywork magazine
• Body Sense client magazine
• Different Strokes newsletter—the voice of ABMP
• Knead to Know student newsletter
• The ABMP School Connection newsletter for school administrators
• The Massage Educator instructor newsletter
• Student Success Guide and Massage Year Planner educational resources

• Complimentary Student Success Curriculum
• School Issues Forum annual education meeting
• Complimentary school listing on www.massagetherapy.com
• Referral credit program for schools

Expectmore with ABMP School Membership

Schools wishing to formally affiliate with ABMP can join as an ABMP School member. In addition to the resources provided to all Massage School Alliance participants, School membership provides schools with:

Complimentary website and e-mail account. ABMP School members can utilize the same great marketing tools all ABMP members get—a free website and e-mail address. For schools that already have a web presence, you can use your free ABMP site as a teaching tool for business class or a separate presence for a clinic or outreach program.

Discount on Enhanced School Listing on www.massagetherapy.com. School members enjoy a 20% discount off the $350 list price of an annual subscription to the Enhanced School Listing and the student prospect database. An affordable way to identify prospective students, and School members save $70!

Complimentary classified ads and job postings. Reach potential employment candidates through ABMP’s job listings and classifieds.

ABMP identification materials. A handsome wall certificate and door decal show the public your school is committed to the profession.

Online networking forums. Communicate and collaborate with fellow educators at ABMP.com.

Instructor group discount on membership. Schools with five or more instructors can get a great rate on ABMP Professional or Certified memberships.

Access to ABMP Student resource materials. Utilize the ABMP Student Success Curriculum and its attendant online student resources in your classroom.

Liability insurance for the school. Schools can choose to participate in ABMP’s school liability insurance program.

Business personal property insurance. Schools can protect their equipment, supplies, and contents used in their business.



Membership Options for Schools

About Insurance for Schools

Please Note: The insurance information provided here is not a contract; it is a partial illustration of benefits, conditions, limitations, and exclusions. In the event that there is confusion or conflict between the policy language and any information provided in this brochure, the policy language shall control.

ABMP School members can procure two types of insurance for their training programs—school liability and business personal property policies. The following are commonly asked questions about ABMP’s School insurance program. For additional information about School membership or insurance coverage, please call or e-mail ABMP.

How can I provide the most complete insurance protection to my school?
A business needs at least three types of insurance: liability, property, and workers’ compensation. The first two, available through ABMP, are optional but strongly recommended. The third, workers’ comp, is mandatory and is subject to state-level regulation; ABMP does not offer this product.

First, since your school’s focus is on providing massage training, you need liability insurance for massage school-related activities. You need General Liability insurance (premises/operations and products liability) as well as Professional Liability to protect the owner’s personal and/or corporate assets. Anytime an alleged injury takes place in relation to school activities and is claimed to be the fault of an owner, student, or instructor, the school may be named in a lawsuit. Without General and Professional Liability insurance protection, a claim filed against the school could result in thousands of dollars in legal fees just to defend against the charges, whether or not they have merit. To protect yourself and others involved in your school, it is wise to encourage students to become ABMP Student members and those faculty members who also engage in private practice to become individual ABMP members.

Second, property insurance can cover buildings and other structures, leased or owned, along with furniture, equipment, and inventory. Property claims might include building damage from a fire or other disaster, or theft. ABMP’s Business Personal Property insurance covers your school’s material contents, such as computers, tables, supplies, etc.

When will my coverage take effect?
If you purchase the optional School Liability Insurance and/or Business Personal Property Insurance, coverage will run concurrently with the term of your ABMP school membership. Should you purchase coverage after the date you join ABMP as a member, you will be required to pay the full year’s premium for a partial year’s coverage.

Will I receive proof of coverage?
Yes. A copy of the policy is included when insurance is purchased with School membership.

School Liability Insurance
What type of liability coverage is provided by the insurance policy for School members?
Occurrence form liability insurance. Types of insurance and liability limits include:

• Professional Liability: $2 Million per Occurrence/$3 Million aggregate
• Commercial General Liability: $2 Million per Occurrence/ $3 Million aggregate
• Products Liability: $2 Million per Occurrence/ $3 Million aggregate
• $100,000 Damage to Premises Rented to You
• Legal defense costs and related expenses are covered in addition to the above limits.

Is there a deductible on this liability insurance policy?
No.

Does ABMP’s school liability insurance cover anything other than massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies and instruction related to these?
No. The professional liability coverage provided is for only those techniques recognized and defined by ABMP.

Each ABMP member must read the policy in its entirety to know all the terms, conditions, and exclusions. If instruction or application of unrecognized techniques is available at the school, separate insurance coverage must be acquired for these exposures.

Is the school protected against liability claims alleged to be caused by instructors, other employees, and/or students?
Yes. The policy provides coverage for the school itself as an entity for school program massage-related activities. That includes liability arising out of massage activities of registered members of the faculty or other employees when they are instructing or supervising registered students. The school is also provided liability coverage for incidents caused by registered students while performing required hands-on practicum on school premises.

The insurance covers those massage-related clinics, internships, volunteer events, or other off-site practice skill development activities which are approved by the school and are permitted under applicable state and local government regulations. As to these covered activities, the school and its agents are protected against suits by an injured student or a third party.

Coverage is also provided to directors, officers, and employees of the school in connection with their school program massage-related duties and activities to the extent that such activities result in bodily injury, personal injury, or property damage, which is covered as defined in the policy. If an owner or instructor of a school has a private practice (even if they provide service in the school facility) they need to obtain an ABMP individual membership to provide coverage for those activities.

There is no coverage provided for non-school-related activities or for school educational activities unrelated to massage, bodywork, or somatic therapies.

Are students covered against claims that name them as responsible parties?
No. Students do not have individual liability protection coverage under the School program. The solution for students is to enroll as ABMP Student members.

Is there a fee to name my landlord as an additional insured endorsement (AIE) on my liability policy?
No. If your lease requires that your landlord be named as an additional insured on the school’s policy, select coverage in item 4 (Landlord) on the application. Coverage for entities listed as additional insureds applies only to those incidents directly related to the named ABMP member certificate holder (the school).



Business Personal Property Insurance

What is Business Personal Property (BPP) insurance?
BPP insurance covers all equipment, supplies, and contents used in your business. It covers your property both on and off premises.

Do I need to give you a list itemizing equipment values?
No. Both your current property and newly acquired property are automatically covered up to the limit you select-—either $10,000 or $25,000.

What type of coverage am I buying?
Your property is insured for replacement cost; your claim will be paid based on the cost of new equipment, with no deduction for depreciation.

Is there a deductible?
All losses are subject to a deductible; $500 for theft-related claims; $250 for all other related claims.

What is not covered by this plan?
Coverage is written on a broad basis with few exclusions.* Some of the exclusions include governmental action, nuclear hazard, war and military action, unexplained disappearance or shortage found during inventory, dishonest acts, short circuit or other electrical disturbance, theft from an unlocked auto, wear and tear, gradual deterioration, mechanical breakdown, insects, vermin, rodents, corrosion, rust, dampness, cold, or heat.
     * This is a summary of exclusions; read the entire policy for complete details of all coverage and exclusions.

What is a loss payee?
If you are leasing business equipment, the leasing company may require that you name them as a loss payee so that they are guaranteed payment in the event of a covered loss. If you have financed the purchase of your business equipment, the financial institution may also require that you name them as a loss payee.

How to Enroll

1. Complete, sign, and date the application form.
2. Attach a school catalog and calendar or schedule of programs offered including start and ending dates, number of class hours in each program, and graduation requirements (e.g., written exam, practical evaluation, etc.).
3. Operate within the legal requirements dictated by applicable municipal and state post-secondary education specifications. Enclose a copy of current state license and/or approval, if applicable.
4. Enclose your annual dues payment, along with any processing fees (if applicable). Upon your acceptance as a member by ABMP, all fees paid are non-refundable and are not subject to proration. ABMP reserves the right to deny membership to any school or individual.