A new era is upon us, Registered Massage Therapy is the new standard here in Colorado as of April. This has so many advantages for trained, credentialed massage therapists I can’t even begin to name them all. Yes, my paperwork is done and I am officially #593.  I’m hoping my “fun” adventure will help all of you out there that may be procrastinating on getting your paperwork in.

Round 1: It was a cold snowy Wednesday when I decided to “get er done”. I, being the responsible, over zealous girl I am, had all my paper work filled out and had read the directions very carefully including the part on calling ahead.  So, I called a local law enforcement agency to get the information on getting finger printed. I asked if they did it, what time I can come, if it was electronic, etc.  Their answers were exactly what I wanted to hear from the officer. I was told, I could come over now, they had both electronic and ink printing, and they accepted personal checks. I said “I’ll see you in 30 minutes”. Currently in my pjs, I cleaned up, dressed and started my very cold car.  I ventured out, it was cold, grey and icy and I had wanted to stay in the house today, but I was determined. I get there; I’m actually excited because I’m feeling so responsible getting it done early “good for me”.  I walk in smiling; I’m here to get fingerprinted for the massage registration. I’m met with a rather bemused look. The officer walks up to the glass window  and asks if I have a finger print card, “no I don’t, I’ll need to purchase one,  I was the one that just called”. As she glared at me through the glass she says “we don’t have them”. (what???)  Okay…  I’ll just do the electronic fingerprints those are preferred anyways. I smile again, I’m not discouraged; I wanted both but hey I’m flexible. Before I can get the words out “and our electronic machine is old and doesn’t work well, so I’m not going to take them for you because they won’t be any good.” At that moment I was completely shocked and speechless, (rarity in my case) as my jaw went clunk onto the counter I stared at her puzzled.  I walk back out into the cold, depressed that I was no closer then I was this morning to getting this done. I go home back to my pjs. Good thing I started this process in December.confused1

Round 2: I’ve decided reinforcements are necessary, drag Jack along to go with me to Denver! Today is a better day, chai in hand and sunny. I pick up Jack and away we go. We head to Arapahoe Community College. We arrive  and park in the 1 hour lot. First mistake. We go in about 9:30 A.M. there are only 3 people in front of us, the gentleman at the desk is wonderful and friendly we fill out paper work and wait, 58 minutes later I decide I need to move the car. I run to move the car and come back, Jack is in getting processed. (poor thing, I left him with my big ole purse he had to carry in with him)  I wait 15 minutes later he emerges I go in.  This is a pretty cool process: water and a Xeroxish looking machine. As I see my prints go onto the screen I can’t help but have flashes of C.S.I.  “yep she’s in Codis” the case of the “Murder Massage Mystery” is closed. I giggle – the girl looks at me funny.  I’m fortunate my prints are easy to read, I guess many massage therapists have rubbed their fingers smooth! Not me

though, I’m out of here. I come out to see a line of 25 therapists waiting; I guess CMTs are late risers. Now, from what I understand these electronic files are sent to the FBI.  I assure Jack this is where we go next to see if we need to sign a release or anything else.  After a few circles and u-turns poor Jack, we arrive at the FBI. We get buzzed into the waiting room and proceed to the lady behind the glass.  We let her know we have been properly fingerprinted for the registration and we’re wondering if we needed to sign anything or fill out paperwork. She says she doesn’t know anything about our fingerprints, and if we wanted to have a seat in the waiting room for about 2 weeks she would have the information for us. (Do I detect a hint of sarcasm?) What is it with these women behind glass?  We leave.  Onto our next stop Dept. of  Reg. Agencies on Broadway downtown Denver. We find D.O.R.A. and head upstairs, we go in, turn in the rest of our paperwork to a very nice lady working the desk, we pay and we’re DONE! Time for lunch. We breathe a sigh of relief as we exit the building; our running around like headless chickens is over.

Tips to make it easier:

1. Take a friend, a fellow CMT who is also procrastinating.

2. Just go straight to Denver early, be there at 8:00 A.M., they are nicer and fully prepared for us. Though rumor has it that the police station I went to, now magically has cards for fingerprinting. Hmmm?

3. Don’t park in the 1 hour parking at the college.

4. Take Purell, the place you put your fingers on the machine is wet from everyone’s hands too, can you say breeding ground for bacteria, yuk!

5. Don’t go to the FBI building, unless you’re a glutton for punishment.

6. Go downtown to D.O.R.A. park up the hill, it’s cheaper.

So there is my story, though the paperwork is annoying and the process is time consuming truly the benefits outweigh the sacrifice.  We have been striving to get massage regulated in this state for a long time.  Let’s celebrate our victory and recognize the professional standing we are gaining in the medical community with every step.