Modern Institute of Reflexology Credential Confirmation Board

Welcome to the home page of the Modern Institute of Reflexology's Credential Confirmation Board (MIRCCB)!!! The MIRCCB is an organization of, by and for reflexologists; dedicated to the assessment of candidates' reflexology education and experiences, and their relationship to the MIRCCB award criteria. The MIRCCB provides assessment and certification for highly qualified, experienced, professional reflexologists.  MIR, under the direction of founder Dr. Clement T. Wittman, and later Dr. Zachary K. Brinkerhoff III, has taught reflexology to many students since 1952. The MIR Advisory Board awarded the first Doctor of Reflexology to Brinkerhoff, and has continued assessment and certification of this level of competency ever since.  In 2001, the MIRCCB was formed as an organization oriented specifically toward the development and administration of the MIR's doctoral program. The MIRCCB Permanent Members are Zachary K. Brinkerhoff, III, DR and Robert Long, DC(ret), DR. Other specialists are recruited as adjunct advisory members to assess specialized areas of candidates' submittals. The Program is administered by Richard K. Morton, ND, DR of Hiawatha, Iowa. Dr. Morton has agreed to maintain the interface between MIRCCB members, applicants, and to administer and coordinate the review process from his  Hiawatha, Iowa location. MIRCCB awards two distinct credentials: the initial award of Master of Reflexology, requiring 5000 hours of verifiable related experience and education, and the supreme credential, the Doctor of Reflexology, requiring 10,000 hours of verifiable related experience. Both credentials also require the development of an extensive original research work to demonstrate the advanced level of proficiency to set apart the expert reflexologist from the general reflexology practitioner. Let's first discuss the Master of Reflexology credential! Many highly qualified reflexologists have studied, worked on many, many pairs of feet and hands, and have continued their education in healthcare, learning yet more and more venues for the application of reflexology. The Master of Reflexology credential is tailor-made for these people. Following certification as a reflexologist, the practitioner who also has considerable other healthcare education and experience may elect to attain the advanced credential of Master of Reflexology. 5000 hours of verifiable experience related to healthcare in general and reflexology specifically are required. For consideration as a Master of Reflexology, the candidate would assemble a package containing certified true copies of the reflexology training/examination documentation, a narrative synopsis of the candidate's experience, documentation of the hours of experience, and finally, a 2500 word (minimum) original research thesis which demonstrates the candidate's advanced grasp of reflexology and its importance to the Advanced Healthcare Paradigm. Of course, the Master of Reflexology should not be in any way compared to the Master degree awarded by universities. In many cases, they require nowhere near the evidence of advanced proficiency that is necessary to attain the Master of Reflexology from the MIR Credential Confirmation Board. A more fitting comparison would be that of a martial arts Master. This is a person who has already attained a practitioner qualification, having demonstrated a reasonable knowledge of the art. The Master has keenly honed these skills, building on them to a point where they are instinctive, having an influence on everything the Master does. The Master always seeks opportunities to apply the philosophies of the Art to his/her everyday interactions, to make a better, more fully rounded person. The Master also teaches apprentices, imparting the knowledge which has helped so much in improving the quality of the Master's life, and his/her interactions with others. The Master is a highly skilled professional authority in the Art, recognized as such not only by the public at large, but by the other authorities in the Art. The Master is not sitting still, however! Master-level experts continue their education and training, not needing the regimentation of a school to recognize, personalize and implement the salient techniques and philosophical enhancements. Rather, the Master charts his/her own course of progression, developing the needed skills as they become necessary. The Master is progressing, reaching out towards the Doctor of Reflexology qualification. While some Masters are content to practice at their level, not necessarily projecting an easily recognizable Path to the Doctor qualification, they nevertheless are continuing to assimilate more advanceed techniques in their repertoire! Eventually, when the time is right for them, they attain the Doctor qualification. No doubt, some Masters are already at that level, but have just not yet chosen to formally apply for the credential. When the time is appropriate, we are confident they will. By virtue of being a Master, this expert cannot help but progress toward that level, whether credentialed or not! We all benefit from that progression, and encourage the Master to continue! The primary MIRCCB award is the Doctor of Reflexology, or D.R. The D.R. is not in any way to be construed as an academic college or university degree, but rather, a non-academic, experiential, occupational credential pertaining to teaching, as the root of the word Doctor is the Latin "docere", or teacher. Holders of the Doctor of Reflexology award are NOT medical doctors or any other kind of physicians, unless they also hold independent, concurrent qualifications in that field. Reflexologists, whether of the student, entry level, practicing, or doctoral level, are required by law to conduct their practice in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including licensing, where applicable. Highly experienced reflexologists with documented, verifiable education and experience in excess of 5,000 hours for the Master level or 10,000 for the Doctoral level hours are elgible to apply.  The M.R./D.R. cerdential is awarded following approval of candidate documentation submittal, a doctoral dissertation, and oral exams. The professional/occupational/vocational application is a submittal package of documentation developed by the candidate, and submitted with the non-refundable review fee of $150 to MIRCCB for determination of qualification for recognition as an experiential Master Reflexologist/Master of Reflexology abbreviated as MR, or the Doctor Reflexologist (or Doctor of Reflexology), abbreviated as DR. The MR candidate has the burden of proof to document 5,000 hours of reflex work to the reflex microcosms of the feet, hands, ears and other selected energy points on the body (Naturopaths, Nurses, Massage and Physical Therapists and other Body Workers are allowed to have a minimum of 1250 hours in reflexology as a minimum portion of the required 5,000 hours of practice). The DR candidate has the burden of proof to document 10,000 hours of reflex work to the reflex microcosms of the feet, hands, ears and other selected energy points on the body (Naturopaths, Nurses, Massage and Physical Therapists and other Body Workers are allowed to have a minimum of 2,500 hours in reflexology as a minimum portion of the required 10,000 hours of practice). In lieu of hands on experience an applicant may substitute up to 2500 hours for the M.R. or 5,000 hours for the D.R. of documented or verified academic pursuits (can include self-educational attainment evidence) which are related to the health care field. Accompanying the packet must be an extensive original research work, the reflexologist's Master Thesis (2500 words minimum for the M.R.) or Doctoral Dissertation (5000 words minimum for the D.R.), demonstrating the highly developed depth of reflexology knowledge and experience to which the candidate has attained. Upon final approval of candidate as either a Master Reflexologist/Master of Reflexology or a Doctor Reflexologist/Doctor of Reflexology (DR) the diploma will be issued at receipt of final payment of $350 balance due. Reflexologists who believe they have the verifiable education and experience to qualify for either the Master of Reflexology or the Doctor of Reflexology may initiate the process by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the MIRCCB at: MIRCCB PO Box 295 Hiawatha, IA 52233 The application guidelines will then be mailed to the applicant, who then may begin assembling and formatting his/her own personalized application submittal packet. The MIRCCB is administered in Hiawatha, Iowa, by administrative assistant Richard K. Morton, ND, DR. Please contact us via phone or voice mail at 319-393-4102; or fax at 801-981-6992, or at our e-mail link at top left. Snail mail can be sent to MIRCCB, PO Box 295, Hiawatha, IA 52233. Additional information about the MIRCCB Doctor of Reflexology Program will be posted on this site as it is developed...... stay tuned!

Modern Institute of Reflexology Certification and Creditation Board (or MIRCCB) exists to provide recognition to established, experienced reflexologists.