Follow the easy steps below to register online (Basic Members), or to download and complete your application form.
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Basic Member: You may become a Basic Member if you have studied a minimum of 30 hours of traditional Thai massage with any instructor or institution in the world. Basic Members are listed in the member area of the THAI web site, and have complete access to the THAI archives for networking and research. $ - annual online donation |
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Practitioner/RTT: Minimum requirements are 180 hours of formal documented study of traditional Thai massage (nuad boran, Thai yoga massage, etc.) plus a minimum of 50 documented practice sessions of between 1.5 and 2 hours in length. The study must have been completed in traditional style, on the floor, addressing the entire body. Herbal compress therapy, foot massage, reflexology, Thai for the table, Ruesee Dat Ton or any hybrid or accessory modalities are not acceptable for the 180 hour minimum required for Practitioner/RTT status. At least one of your teachers must be affiliated with THAI, or you must meet with a THAI-Approved Instructor for assessment. The initial 180 hours of study must be completed within a maximum period of three years, and a minimum of one year must transpire from the date of your first study of nuad boran. You must submit with your application written documentation of 50 practice sessions, plus a blank copy of your client intake form. When you become a Practitioner level member, you may use the title of Registered Thai Therapist (RTT) after your name. $175 (for each two-year cycle) |
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Advanced Practitioner: Minimum requirements are 270 hours of formal documented training with approved instructors or institutions, plus an additional 10 hours of study related to Thai cultural disciplines such as Thai Herbal Medicine, Theravada Buddhist studies, Southeast Asian studies, Thai language study, or other related activities. A trip to Thailand qualifies for this 10 hour requirement. In addition, you must have completed 240 logged hours of hands-on private practice, and must comply with the session log requirements for Practitioner/RTT level membership (above). Advanced Practitioners carry the title of RTT. $175 (for each two-year cycle) |
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Instructor: Minimum requirements are 500 hours of formal documented training by approved instructors and institutions. You must have completed 500 hours of logged hands-on practice, and must submit coursework guidelines and student evaluation forms for review and approval by the Executive Council. Twenty (20) hours must be related to Thai cultural studies such as those outlined in Advanced Practitioner above. Additional conditions, listed on the application instructions, also apply. Once approved as an Instructor member, you are endorsed as an approved educational provider for all THAI members and your courses and workshops are listed on the home page of the THAI web site. Instructors carry the titles of RTT and Instructor. $250 (for each two-year cycle) |
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Institution: Institution membership includes one Instructor level membership. The lead teacher in the organization must fulfill all the requirements for Instructor level membership, and each person involved in assistant-teaching at the institution must qualify to be a member of THAI at the Advanced Practitioner level or higher. Additional conditions may apply. Institution Members are endorsed as approved educational providers for all THAI members, and your courses and workshops are listed on the home page of the THAI web site. The lead instructor of an Institution carries the titles of RTT and Instructor. $300 (for each two-year cycle) |
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Associate Member: Individuals or organizations linked to Thai massage, yoga, and bodywork who are supportive of THAI's goals and objectives. These members may include herbalists, manufacturers, spas, suppliers, travel agents, retailers, etc. Associate Members are listed in the member directory, have access to the THAI archives, and may advertise on the THAI website and in the newsletter. $175 (for each two-year cycle)
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Additional Information: To qualify as a Registered Thai Therapist at any levelI, you must have studied with at least one THAI-approved teacher or school, regardless of the number of hours studied. For example, if you are applying for RTT/Practitioner membership (minimum 180 hours of study), any number of those hours may be with a teacher or school that is not yet affiliated with THAI, as long as the remaining hours were completed with a THAI Approved Provider. The list of THAI Approved Providers appears on the THAI web site, and is updated regularly to include new teachers and schools. These requirements do not apply for Basic Members (see below). |
If you have any questions about which level of membership is right for you, send us an e-mail through the contact form on this site, and include a list of your total study hours of Thai massage, along with any other questions. We will respond by e-mail and help you determine the level that is appropriate for your membership. If you need financial assistance in order to become a member, write to: info@thaihealingalliance.com
Except for Basic Members, the fees above are for each two-year professional membership cycle. Those who join THAI in the second year of any two-year cycle pay only 50% of the two-year registration fee.
NOTE: For Practitioner level and higher, detailed descriptions of requirements, including submission of practice session logs, may be found in the "About THAI" section of this web site. Click here for more information.