The IRMT, a professional trade organization, was founded in 1978. The founder is David Reade, FFPhys, who, having previously trained with an osteopath, ran one of the first full-time Physical Therapy colleges in the UK.

The IRMT issues regular newsletters in order to keep members in touch with each other and with any changes in their status, or legislation which might affect them. With reference to employment, local authorities throughout the UK and abroad refer to us for confirmation of qualifications. In addition to those persons who graduate via the IRMT's own examinations through its Examining Board, IRMTEB, the IRMT also accepts membership applications from those with appropriate diplomas from other organizations. Photocopies of such qualifications will be required in such instances and further checks are made where this is indicated.

IRMT Diplomas are widely accepted throughout the UK and abroad for the purposes of licensing, employment and professional indemnity insurance. The IRMT offers professional indemnity insurance at very reasonable rates starting from ₤55 per annum for a ₤2.5 million limit through its scheme with Holistic Insurance Services.

IRMT graduates are working in such places as Champneys, Shrublands, Centre Parks, The Mayfair Hotel, Cunard Lines, Virgin Airlines and Selfridges, and in many other parts of the world, including the USA (Florida, Arizona, Georgia and Boston), Antigua, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Canada, the Canary Isles, Israel and Europe (various locations including France, Italy, Spain, Poland and Sweden). The current membership includes osteopaths, physiotherapists, sports therapists, beauty therapists, dentists, paramedics and nurses.

Because massage is basically a practical skill, all IRMT courses concentrate heavily upon the hands-on application of knowledge and skill. Hence the IRMT insists on many hours of practice before issuing Diplomas. The course work also includes all the theory knowledge of anatomy and physiology necessary to ensure that graduates work knowledgeably and safely, with a two hour written examination (four hours for Aromatherapy students, three hours for Reflexology).

A geographical list of Practitioners classified by counties can be e-mailed to those seeking therapy treatments. This list does not include all our members, but only those who have elected to be included. It may assist visitors to this Site to find a qualified therapist in their area, though not all areas are represented. Please note that this list can be supplied only by e-mail attachment and will not be sent by post. If you would like a copy e-mail us as below.

The IRMTEB was founded in 1979 and approved by the London Boroughs as an independent examining body in that year.

BEWARE OF IMITATIONS or of other organizations with initials similar to ours. We are the original INTERNATIONAL REGISTER OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS (since 1978) and EXAMINATION BOARD - IRMT and IRMTEB - and have no connections with any other organizations in the United Kingdom.

You may write to the IRMT at:

IRMT, PO Box 5537, Hatfield Peverel, CM3 2QN, United Kingdom.