GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING YOUR CATEGORY OF ISMETA REGISTRATION

ISMETA offers two categories of registration for individual somatic movement
practitioners: Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME) and Registered Somatic
Movement Therapist (RSMT). The two categories were established to address a variety
of needs including the preferences of somatic movement training programs, individual
approaches to somatic movement process, and differences among state regulations
governing somatic movement work.

Some ISMETA-approved training programs see themselves encompassing both
registration categories and others recommend registration in one category only. Some
training programs envision the RSME category as an initial phase of a longer training,
with the RSMT category at the completion of a second phase. Other trainings
recommend the RSME category for most students and the RSMT for people who work
with more therapeutic practitioner-client roles and processes. Both RSME and RSMT
hold equal professional status according to ISMETA criteria.

While the final decision is yours to make, the following guidelines may help you choose
whether you wish to register as RSME or RSMT or both.

Primary considerations:

• Does your training program clearly recommend that you register in one of the
  categories?

• What are the governing regulations for somatic movement education and
  therapy in the state where you live? Please be aware that in some states in the
  U.S. it is not legal for you to register as a Somatic Movement Therapist unless
  you are licensed as a therapist in another discipline.

• View: US Professional Regulations

Additional considerations:

• What aspects of your training categorize you as either an educator or therapist?

• What is the context for your work in somatic movement?

• Are there requirements based on the setting you will be working in—medical,
  clinical, institutional, or other workplaces?
  

As an organization, ISMETA does not distinguish between the two categories, but offers
them with the understanding that you will register in the category that both addresses
your needs as a practitioner and respects local regulations.