Members across all categories are graded according to their level of qualification as follows:

Students and Friends have their own named grading.

Level 3 Therapists are graded as Level 3 and will have completed:

• a Level 3 qualification in Sports Massage Therapy completed over a minimum period of 8 weeks
  
• an intensive Level 3 qualification accompanied by EITHER a 50-hour logbook of treatments OR a related BSc that allows for diagnosis and/or treatment of pathological tissue, e.g. Physiotherapy or Osteopathy
  
• a Sports Therapy BSc with a mark of less than 60% in the Sports Massage module(s)
• An HNC in Soft Tissue Therapy (SQA), part of the HND in Sports Therapy

All members within the Level 3 Therapist category are required to undertake a Level 4 (or above) qualification in Sports Massage Therapy within two years of joining.

Full (comprising Graduate) Members are graded at either Level 4 or Level 5, depending on qualification level.

A Level 4 Member will have completed:

• a Level 4 qualification in Sports Massage Therapy from an Awarding Organisation (VTCT, ITEC, Active IQ) accredited by the QCF/RQF national framework for qualifications that meets the SMA's minimum standards for delivery - please note that the qualifications delivered by Focus Awards are not eligible for SMA membership at any level.
  
• the Certificate in Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy as delivered by Jing Advanced Massage Training
  
• a degree course from an SMA-accredited university
  
• a BTEC Level 4 course in Sports and Remedial Massage Therapy
• A Sports Therapy BSc with a mark of more than 60% in any relevant Sports Massage modules

A Level 5 Member will have completed:

• a Level 5 qualification in Sports Massage Therapy from an Awarding Organisation (VTCT, ITEC) accredited by the QCF/RQF national framework for qualifications
  
• a BTEC Level 5 course in Sports and Remedial Massage or Soft Tissue Therapy
  
• the BTEC Level 6 Professional Diploma in Advanced Clinical Massage and Sports Massage as delivered by Jing Advanced Massage Training
  
• the Neuromuscular Physical Therapy course as delivered by NTC Ireland (post-2019)
• a Level 4 qualification in Sports Massage Therapy written to the new National Occupational Standards (starting late 2020 onwards)