Student Member

If you have enrolled on a relevant industry qualification (not available if you are studying a level 4 or 5 vocational qualification or a BSc and already hold a level 3 practitioner qualification in Sports Massage or you have completed a qualification and awaiting results)

 Practitioner status membership categories

Additionally you will need a valid first aid certificate (minimum EFAW), see below for example qualifications relevant to each membership category, we issue the relevant membership certificate based on your evidence submission. We do not currently accept online first aid courses

If you hold a FOCUS AWARDS sports massage qualification please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with details of your course provider, instructor and assessor names along with the number of practical days studied to check eligibility. We continue to work with Awarding Organisations to recognise the validated qualifications that meet our membership entry criteria. The STA are here to support your continuing learning journey so please get in touch if you require any assistance, guidance or support.

Sports Massage Therapist Affiliate Member 

Level 3 Sports Massage Therapy (for Qualifications issued after 2014) 

Soft Tissue Therapist Level 4 Member

Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy

Soft Tissue Therapist Level 5 Member

Level 5 Sports Massage Therapy

Soft Tissue Therapist Diploma member

Diploma Sports And Remedial Massage, Diploma Sports Massage

HND/FdSc/ADip  Sports Therapist Member

HND, FdSc or ADip Sports Therapy

Graduate Sports Therapist Member(GST)

BSc or MSc Sports Therapy,  BSc Sports and Exercise Therapy or other relevant industry Degree 

Graduate Sports Rehabilitator Member(GSR)

BSc Sports Rehabilitation, MSc Sports Rehabilitation

Graduate Sports Member  BSc or MSc relevant sports degree with rehabilitation, injury management or soft tissue modules.

*WE HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT SOME TRAINING PROVIDERS FOR ENTRY LEVEL QUALIFCATIONS OR CPD ARE FALSELY ADVERTISING STA APPROVAL ON THEIR WEBSITES TO ADD VALIDITY AND VALUE TO THE COURSES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE STA OFFICE BEFORE BOOKING ONTO A COURSE*

Certain qualifications, advertised as meeting National Occupational Standards do not meet our stringent membership criteria, however, to enable you to benefit from our affiliate member scheme, we will work with you to provide the necessary support to identify a progression route through our membership categories.

Unfortunately, The STA do not accept any qualifications issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, Any online Skills Academy,  Distance Learning Academy, Open Study College, BSY Group, NCFE, ABC awards, UK Public College, Active Health Group or Active Health Awards.

• The STA do not recognise Level 6 Diplomas or Master Diplomas that do not appear on a qualification framework for any membership category. 
• Membership levels for the Sports Therapy Association are based on the industry agreed National Occupational Standards (NOS).
• If you are unsure about your qualification, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for clarification.