A Guide To Becoming A Licensed Massage Therapist
Being a licensed massage therapist is extremely important. Why? For one, it is illegal in many states to practice without a license. Second, it enhances your credibility and standards and finally it ensures the safety of your client and attractiveness to potential employers. Getting a license can only help your business and reputation. It also ensures that you have the professional skills to provide top-quality massage services safely to your customers. When you become a licensed massage therapist, you are not limited to practicing in only certain states provided they recognize the license that you have. If you have the aspiration to become a licensed massage therapist, then read this guide to help you achieve your dream.
Complete a Massage Therapy Program That is Accredited and Approved by the State
Massage therapists have to undergo either a diploma or certificate degree program. This should be done in a school accredited by an accrediting agency and approved by the state board. This is important as more than 40 states in the U.S. require massage therapists to have a license to practice. Coursework of massage therapy programs often includes physiology, massage modalities, anatomy, body mechanics, and even medical terminologies.
Complete All Requirements
There is a specific number of hours of hands-on experience and assessment that are required by the state where the schools are operating. A minimum of 500 hours, or about 117 days of education, is required in 24 states. At least 1 exam is required across 34 states. Students must be able to meet this standard, otherwise, a license will not be issued. Non-completion will prevent you to work later on as a professional. Some schools also require that students complete internship hours as part of their training. Clinical practicum, or internship, is typically conducted in-house for massage therapists who have accumulated a solid number of hours under their belt. Make sure you read all the requirements in the enrollment guide.
Pass the Examination
To become a licensed massage therapist in your chosen field, it is not enough to just complete schooling. Depending on the state in which the school operates, some graduates need to take a specialized exam. The most common exam is the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination, under the administration of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. This includes 100 questions in two areas that must be completed by the student. Kinesiology, ethics, physiological effects of massage, and client assessments are common topics included in this exam.
Get Your License
Your massage therapist license can only be earned once you have finished your school program and passed the exam. Furthermore, you can achieve certifications or specializations in various areas like sports massage, clinical rehabilitative massage, spa management, chiropractic, and palliative care, among others.
Apply for the License
Once you have completed the above-mentioned requirements, apply for a state license with the secretary of state. You must be able to show proof of the requirements to attain the license. If you are unsure which requirements are included in a state application, you can always refer to the American Massage Therapy Association website.
After becoming a licensed massage therapist, you need to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education units (CEU) per year at schools approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). Evidence of these clocked hours will also have to be submitted to the state in order to keep your massage license current. Topics learned at these continuing education courses may include general massage, business, ethics, marketing, or research. Some continuing education classes are available in schools or you can find them through the American Massage Therapy Association.