This material aims to debunk all negative notions about the Philippine Department of Health Massage Licensure Examinations.

1. How SPAMT Helps Provide Solutions
By Benjamin Eugenio Jr LMT

2. Wellness Trend (Global & Local)
 Massage & wellness is a growing trend locally &
internationally
 Locally, many massage parlors sprouted affecting
legitimate spa establishments
 DOH has a mandate to protect public health

3. Wellness Trend (Global & Local)
 First law on massage, PD 856, Sec. 13
 Latest DOH Directive, Adm. Order 201o-0034
 Deadline for compliance to “No massage license, no
massage practice”- December 2014(CEMT Res. 2011-
001)

4. Application Requirements for
DOH Massage Licensure Exams
 At least, 18 years of age
 At least, a high school graduate
 Must undergo training at a DOH accredited training
institution (120 hours)
 Must pass DOH written & practical examinations
 Must renew massage license every 3 years

5. Myths (haka-haka) on DOH Exams
 Myth #1: Massage lesson & exam is TOO DIFFICULT
 Myth #2: Massage training schedule AFFECTS work
 Myth #3: Massage training & licensure is EXPENSIVE
 Myth #4: Massage therapist will LEAVE SPA once
licensed
 Myth #5: Massage therapist to DEMAND higher pay
 Myth #6: DOH massage directives can be ignored

6. Myth #1: Massage Lesson & Exam
is TOO DIFFICULT
 Facts:
1. Training material covering 5 subjects has been
reduced by DOH from 444 to 144 pages
2. HiMAS Tagalog-English training material is available
3. Only qualified trainers conduct classes

7. Myth #1: Massage Lesson & Exam
is TOO DIFFICULT
 Facts:
4. DOH test questions are given in English & Filipino
5. DOH oral exams are mostly done in Filipino
6. Blind from HiMAS Topped both Written & Practical
Exams
7. On several occasions, unschooled, blind massage
therapists passed the exams

8. Myth #2: Massage Training
Schedule AFFECTS work
Facts:
1. Minimum no. of hrs of training is 120
2. Pacing of class depends on students
3. Most classes are done half-days (8 thru 12 noon)
M-W-F or T-Th-S
4. If a student do not pass, a Deferment Option may
take place

9. Myth #3: Massage Training &
Licensure is EXPENSIVE
 Fact:
1. Considering the quality training hours, trainers
available & lessons learned- whole exercise is VERY
AFFORDABLE
2. To those financially-challenged, SPAMT is the
ULTIMATE Solution (to be discussed later)

10. Myth #4: Massage Therapist will
LEAVE SPA once licensed
 Facts:
1. For as long as the therapist agrees to sign contract
with the spa, he or she cannot just leave
2. DOH may not renew massage license if the spa
operator files a valid complaint

11. What is Unique Payment Scheme (UPS)
 All qualified therapist shall pay only:
 P299 as enrolment fee
 P199 as daily training fee (min. of 20 days)
 The rest of the balance may be paid through
 HiMAS spa or office service (4 is to P100)
 Referral of students (CMT or Preparatory School) (1 is to P300)
 Plus miscellaneous and DOH fees

12. Myth #5: Massage Therapist to
Demand Higher Pay
Facts:
1. DOH expressly encourages spa owners & therapists
to communicate & agree on certain terms
2. Once licensed, most often, the take home (tip) of a
therapist increases

13. Myth #6: DOH Directive Can Be
Ignored
Facts:
1. The law is clear: a massage therapist must be
registered (PD 856, AO 2010-0034)
2. Non-compliance may result to: disruption of
business operations or possible closure
3. Loss of investments

14. What is SPAMT* and how it can
help?
 SPAMT is acronym for Special Staggered-Payment
Arrangement for Massage Therapists
 An original concept from HiMAS
 Initially, there shall be at 3 least recipients per spa (to
help accommodate other spas)

15. What does SPAMT assures?
 Quality & internationally-inspired massage training
 Highly qualified trainers
 Ten (10) years of training experience
 Best school facilities & training curriculum
 Automatic membership to International Massage
Association of the Philippines (IMAP)
 Possible job employment abroad (after “finish-
contract”)

16. What are SPAMT application
requirements?
 Between 18 years old & 29 years old
 At least a high school graduate
 Massage therapist for not less than two (2) years
 Endorsed by his or her spa employer
 Willing to follow school rules & regulations
 Willing to surrender his or her DOH License unless
everything is fully settled

17. What an applicant must submit?
 Accomplished SPAMT Application Letter & Form
 Photos (7 pcs 2x2 with name, 2 pcs 1 x1) (for DOH)
 Resume or biodata
 NBI clearance (for DOH)
 Birth certificate (for DOH)
 Endorsement from spa authorities

18. SPAMT Screening Process
1) A paper review
2) Actual massage evaluation
3) Final interview
4) Approval & start of training

19. General Course Outline
Anatomy & Physiology General & Organ System Anatomy &
Physiology
Microbiology & Pathology General Microbiology & Pathology
Massage Therapy 1 Fundamental Concepts on Massage
Massage Therapy 2 Massage Therapy Application/
Licensure Performance Protocol
Massage Therapy 3 Practice of Massage Therapy