Which Exam Board For Your A and P Course?

I have been in the complementary therapy industry since 1991. That's thirty years of being a massage therapist, teaching stress management, owning a school of massage and providing our tried and tested anatomy and physiology courses. 

In those thirty years, I have seen anatomy and physiology courses come and go, examination  boards pop up and then disappear, providers of such courses enter the market and close and professional associations come together and then disband. 

This makes it very confusing for someone trying to decide which anatomy and physiology course is reputable, which will provide you with the certification you need for your chosen career, which are value for money and which are going to right for you and most suited to your learning style. 

So here is a brief guide on how to select the best anatomy and physiology course for you.

1/The examination board itself

Make sure that the board is a reputable one. It should be recognised by the UK Governments department for education. Many organisations set up their own exams and certifications and these may not be recognised. This could lead to you not being able to go onto take the course in your chosen therapy career and/or prevent you from being insured. Without public liability and professional indemnity insurance  you  will be vulnerable to financial liability if there was a case of malpractice or an accident in your treatment room. 

Some reputable examination boards (not an exhaustive list) 

ITEC International Therapy Examination Council

City and Guilds

VTCT Vocational Training Charitable Trust

2/The Provider of the Anatomy and Physiology Course

It is really important you are happy with the provider of your anatomy and physiology course. Are they helpful and friendly. Do they provide a free trial if it an online course or can you visit a class in action? Do they have a money back guarantee. What are their success rates? Does the phone get answered by a real person or do they get back to you within 24 hours? How long have they been in business. What support will they provide you? You are investing in their course and their service to you to help ensure you qualify in anatomy and physiology. Check them out, email them and talk to them to make sure you feel happy with them if you have any problems or difficulties. 

3/The anatomy and physiology course itself

Do you like how the course is taught? Do you understand what is being taught? How long is the course? What extra support is provided, eg access to a tutor if there is something you dont understand or helping you find a study buddy. Does the course include pathology? This is an important component and a requirement by some of the professional therapy associations.

4/Professional Associations (not an exhaustive list) 

Will the anatomy and physiology qualification be recognised by the professional associations? This is important as it is often through them that you can obtain reasonably priced insurance. 

ICGT (International Guild of Therapists)

CThA (Complementary Therapists Association)

APNT (Association of Physical and Natural Therapists)

FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists)

BCMA (British Complementary Medicine Association)

CNHC Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council)

If you have any questions about any of this, just give us a call! This can be a minefield to navigate and we want to help you be sure you are on the right track! 0203 553 1060.

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