In order to be eligible for membership with the association, the applicant is supposed to satisfy the following criteria:

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners — Foundational and Educational Standards

NARDMO aligns its foundational education and professional standards with the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) curriculum framework. These standards provide the guiding structure for both program reviews and individual practitioner development within the association.

Eligibility and Practice Requirements

• Practitioners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents to work legally within Canada.

• Foreign members or individuals awaiting approval who are located in Canada are not permitted to treat patients until authorization is granted.

• All practitioners must maintain active and valid professional insurance coverage, either individually or through their employer, including workplace liability protection.

Educational Requirements

Education requirements are consistent with the WHO Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy (2010) and are organized under two training pathways:

Type I Programme
Designed for individuals without prior health-care training (other than completion of secondary education or equivalent).

• Typically four years in duration (full-time)

• 4,200–6,000 total hours, including at least 1,200–1,600 hours of supervised clinical practice and training

Type II Programme
Designed for applicants who already hold a recognized health-care qualification (e.g., physician, nurse, chiropractor, acupuncturist, registered massage therapist, naturopath, etc.).

• Educational aims and content are equivalent to Type I programmes

• Prior education and experience are assessed through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) standards

• In accordance with WHO benchmarks, all Type II students must complete the full program load (4,200–6,000 hours total, with at least 1,600 hours of supervised clinical training) to ensure competencies equivalent to Type I graduates, regardless of previous professional experience

Program and Institutional Requirements

Graduation as a Manual Osteopathic Practitioner (OMP) or Master of Science in Osteopathic Manual Practice (MsOMP) must be from a recognized Canadian institution or an internationally accredited equivalent. Select private institutions may be considered for recognition at the discretion of NARDMO.

The benchmarks and foundational academic standards recognized by NARDMO are based on the Core Curriculum developed by the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO). This curriculum provides the framework for competency expectations, clinical skill development, and integration of osteopathic principles and practice across all approved programs.  See chart below for reference.

Please submit the following documents when applying for membership by email:

• Your completed registration form (we will send you by email).
• A copy of your diploma or certificate.
• Transcripts of your completed courses and grades.
• One passport-sized headshot photograph (if accepted, this photograph will be used for your certificate of membership.
• NEW MEMBER Registration fee – for manual practitioners – $1,000
• RETURNING MEMBERS Re-registration fee – $500.00 annual fee for previous members who have let their membership lapse or been a member of another association for a period of time.
• Membership Fees Payment by credit card or etranfser.

Want to renew your membership?

Here is a list of our annual membership fees:

Manual practitioner: $500.00 CAD – Annual Renewal Fee 

• Registration fee – for manual practitioners – $1,000.00( annual membership included) for new members.
• Re-registration fee (previous members)- $1000.00.
• Temporary membership for three months – $500.00 (New members).
• Annual membership-$500 (renewal for active members)

LLT3 & 4 Low Level Laser Therapy: $500.00 CAD.
Shockwave Therapy: $500.00 CAD

Please pay attention: Annual and Registration fee are not refundable.

Please note that all admission fees (including the initial admission fee of $1,000.00 CAD) are not refundable to members who have been removed and banned from the Association for fraud and other offences as determined by the Board of Directors. The admission fee of $1,000.00 CAD and admission criteria apply to members who are re-applying to the Association after being inactive or have been active at another association.

The Board of Directors reserves the right to remove and/or cancel membership for any member(s) providing false/incorrect information. Members who do not abide by/follow our Standards of Practice or implement any behaviour which will falsely or negatively represent the  Association may also be removed with/without notice.

Reference Framework: General Objectives for an Osteopathic Principles and Practice Curriculum

(Adapted from the American Academy of Osteopathy)

Source:
American Academy of Osteopathy. “General Objectives for an Osteopathic Principles and Practice Curriculum.” All rights reserved.