Can You Be A Massage Therapist Without A License
Having a massage therapist license prominently displayed for clients to see isn’t just about compliance, though. It helps build trust with new customers and establishes a professional environment where they can truly relax. Since certification and licensure requires extensive classroom work and hands-on experience in many areas of the country, even new massage therapists who are licensed have a great deal of experience working with clients.
What Classes Are Available And Best To Take Online
A relatively small percentage of massage schools offer some of their classes online. According to a survey published by the AMTA, 19% of schools offer online courses for their entry level programs, up from 17% in 2017. And at that, the few online classes offered mainly focus on basics such as anatomical terms and diet and nutrition information rather than massage techniques.
A growing percentage of massage therapy schools are, however, offering continuing education classes online, which build on the skills of therapists who have mastered the basics of massage techniques.
Practicing Massage Therapy Without A License
Wyoming, Vermont, Minnesota, or Kansas are states that do not require a massage license.
While these are the only states where you can be a massage therapist without out license, there may be additional requirements. Before setting up a practice, it’s crucial to check with local authorities to find out if there are licensing or education requirements that apply to massage therapists or their businesses. It’s also important to understand any local and civil penalties that may apply if you are practicing massage therapy without a license in the area.
One way to do this is to speak with other massage therapists in the area. The American Massage Therapy Association is also a trusted resource for up-to-date information about massage certification requirements.
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Massage Therapy Certification 101
If you have good, strong hands and believe in the healing power of touch, you may have thought about making it official: taking the first steps to become a certified massage therapist.
However, being good with your hands is not enough to make a career out of it – just like having a knack for chemistry isn’t enough to make a person a pharmacist. You may cause more harm than good if you attempt to treat people without appropriate training, especially if those people have an injury or illness.
Most states require massage therapists to be licensed or at least certified before they can practice. Even if you live somewhere where there is no state-level regulation – such as Kansas, Minnesota, Vermont or Wyoming – getting certified is always a good idea. Having certification assures your clients that you are properly trained and that they can trust you. The training program itself also gives you the opportunity to learn more advanced techniques, which can broaden the scope of your practice and expand your potential clientele.
In this post, we will explore how to get certified as a massage therapist, and, once you’re certified, what to do next to begin your career.
Massage Therapy Is A Flexible Career
There is no such thing as a standard massage therapy practice. One of the reasons individuals choose this profession is because of the flexibility it offers in terms of work hours, independence, and choice of practice locations and types.
Massage therapists can work full time or part-time. Massage therapists spend additional time on things like scheduling, billing, housekeeping and marketing, to name a few.
Income levels for massage therapists vary by region of the country, experience and type of practice.
Related: Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet
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Massage Therapist Skills And Personality Traits
We calculated that 20% of Massage Therapists are proficient in Individual Needs, Customer Service, and Clients Needs. Theyre also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Empathy, and Integrity.
We break down the percentage of Massage Therapists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Individual Needs, 20%
Maintained wide personal client base and focused on developing personalized therapy plans and essential oil formulas to meet individual needs.
- Customer Service, 19%
Exemplified excellent customer service and built steady clientele by participating in marketing events and posting and passing out marketing materials.
- Clients Needs, 16%
- Massage Therapist jobs added within last 7 days
- No Degree Massage Therapist JobsSearch jobs with no degree required
Massage School In Virginia
Learn Massage Therapy Online in Virginia
In recent years, the demand for massage therapists in Virginia has skyrocketed. Are you sitting on the sidelines, watching this exciting career opportunity pass you by?
If concerns about the amount of time required to get your licensein Virginia, 500 hours of education plus a passing score on a national licensing exam is requiredhas been standing in your way, the answer is here. You can learn massage therapy online, on your own schedule, so you can pursue your education without giving up your current responsibilities. A new career in an exciting and growing field could be around the corner in as little as six months.
How is it possible to learn massage therapy online?
Massage is all about touch, so how do you actually learn massage therapy from behind a computer screen? Some schools offer the best of both worlds.
Massage therapists are required to complete an accredited curriculum that covers topics such as science, business, and theory, but you dont have to complete that coursework in a classroom. Instead, you can do that work online, using an online class designed, built, and taught by experienced people in the industry. Online courses are always available, with no start or finish date, so you can work on assignments and progress through the program on your own schedule.
Your online education will be complemented by in-person training at am approved massage school.
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The Pros And Cons Of Online Massage Therapy School
Online learning has expanded rapidly in American highereducation over the last two decades, and online courses have become availableat a growing number of massage therapy schools as well.
But how does online learning work for massage therapy, exactly? And given the hands-on nature of the job, is it even a good idea? These questions and others are important to consider as you research your education options and weigh the pros and cons of online massage therapy school, if thats a path youre considering.
What School Offers An Online Program In Massage Therapy
The U.S. Career Institute offers an online program in Massage Therapy that will prepare you to sit for the MBLEx, if you complete both their Academic & Hands-On portions and attend their Colorado campus for clinical practice. The academic portion of your program can be completed online. U.S. Career Institutes program offers classes in Swedish Massage, Hydrotherapy Techniques, as well as, Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and many other topics.
Still looking for a career that suits you?How about one you can achieve via online schooling? Trades You Can Learn Online and Are Online Trade Schools Worth It?The short answer: YES! DEFINITELY!!
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How To Become A Massage Therapist: The Definitive Guide
Do your friends go to you when they have a kink in their neck?
Do you enjoy relaxing people?
Are you always making sure that you stretch before exercise?
With the help of massage therapy, people are finding that life is much better limber.
As a Massage Therapist, you can learn how to manipulate your clients bodies to relieve aches and pains, as well as help with their posture and to promote health.
What Can You Do With A Massage Therapy Degree Or Certificate
The massage therapy program graduates may become licensed massage therapists, registered massage practitioners or may enter other fields including nursing, athletic training, personal training and physical therapy. Massage therapists offer their services in a variety of locations such as private practice clinics, physicians and chiropractors offices, rehabilitation clinics, spas, health clubs, fitness centers, nursing homes, hospitals, resorts, and cruise ships.
For outlook information about specific careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook .
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Where Can I Complete The Massage Therapy Program Program
For your convenience, you can complete the entire program at our Harrisburg Campus, provided you take some of the required coursework through virtual learning.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, please visit this webpage to review the most up-to-date details about how courses are being offered.
Yes! Through the HACC Foundation, there are scholarships available. Please visit hacc.edu/scholarships for details and deadlines.
You can complete spring, summer and fall classes at HACC and apply based on the class schedule. Please contact us using the information listed in the “How Can I Learn More” section.
We are passionate about providing a high-quality education and an opportunity for you to pursue your goals. Please contact the program coordinator in the Workforce Development and Continuing Education Division at 717-221-1386 for more information.
What Are Some Pros And Cons Of Online Classes
Possible Pros
In general, online courses are popular because of their convenience. It may be easier to fit online classes into your already hectic lifeyou dont have to commute to class, and some online courses are even self-paced, which means you can complete them on your own time, whenever works for you.
For students who dont live near institutions of higher education, online courses may be the only way they can achieve their educational goals without quitting their jobs and uprooting their lives to move closer to school. That reason alone can give students a powerful incentive to attend online programs.
Potential Cons
However, when it comes to massage therapy education, there are some potential drawbacks to online learning, especially for entry-level programs. Even if you are able to complete several weeks of hands-on learning in a clinic, that may still be too little training to prepare you for a successful career.
Massage therapy is regulated in most states, and you should choose a massage school that allows you to meet the education requirements needed to become licensed in your state .
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How Do I Get A Massage Therapy License
Choosing to become a massage therapist can be a rewarding career. Competent therapists may choose to work for others or establish their own business. In either case, many jurisdictions do require all massage therapists to hold a current license in order to pursue business within the area. If you need to obtain a massage therapy license, here is some information you should keep in mind.
The fact is that not all cities and towns require that massage therapists have any special type of credentials. This means that if you want to work for an established massage parlor, health spa, or gym, you will not need any type of marriage therapy licensing from the local jurisdiction. When this is the case, all you really will need is your own business license if you plan on setting up your own business. In most cities and towns, this can be obtained for a small fee at the local city hall.
Job Growth Outlook: High
Within the next ten years, the career outlook for Massage Therapists is projected to rise 22 percent.
This is much higher than many other careers, including ones that are not in the same field.
More states are adopting the licensing requirements and standards that many Massage Therapists must deal with.
This means that more massage therapy facilities will open, and more jobs will need to be filled.
Also, healthcare providers and insurance companies are realizing that there are benefits to massage therapy and are beginning to offer massage services.
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Are There Any Massage Therapy Programs Offered 100% Online
Currently, there are no schools that exclusively offer online learning for entry-level massage therapy programs, according to findings in the American Massage Therapy Association 2019 Massage Profession Research Report.
There are no schools that exclusively offer online learning for entry-level massage therapy programs.
Some massage therapy programs are advertised as 100% online,but in reality they also include a hands-on component. These programs offer theacademic portion of the massage therapy course online, and then generallyrequire students to complete several weeks of hands-on training under thesupervision of massage therapy instructors to allow students to gain practicalexperience.
The hands-on component of massage therapy education is huge, explains Lisa McNeil, MEd, CFSS-M, a Wisconsin-based licensed massage therapist who works with professional athletes for the United States Olympic Committee. The only way you can learn quality palpation is by actually doing it.
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What Is The Typical Work Schedule For A Massage Therapist
Work schedules for massage therapists can vary greatly depending on whether the job is full or part time. According to a survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010, only about 25 percent of all massage therapists worked full time. Furthermore, if you choose to be self-employed as a therapist, you can set your own hours to fit your lifestyle. You may choose to be available a certain number of hours during the day or by appointment only.
Best Accredited Program: Sochi
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Not fully online
SOCHi’s online massage therapy school features several videoconferencing and interactive tech platforms for live lectures and pre-recorded material. Students also gain hands-on experience by working with the direct supervision of a licensed massage therapist instructor locally.
Most massage modalities are covered in this program to enable a student to sit for ACCET or CAMTC certification. Over the course of nine months, students learn medical massage, kinesiology, physiology, spa treatment modalities, and lymph drainage. They also learn about proper hygiene, professional ethics, and business principles in massage therapy. In addition, the program enables students to earn first aid certification.
The total cost of the SOCHi program is $16,165, which is higher than most, but students gain excellent massage therapy insights and work with a licensed, experienced massage therapist instructor through an interactive online class. This cost includes equipment, supplies, books, and all registration fees. While not fully online, this may be the best combination of both learning methods when in-depth education is the goal. Financing opportunities are also available to some students.
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How To Determine Whether You Are Eligible For Our Programs
Are you eligible for our programs? Our goal is to make the process as accessible as possible for all of our students, so we work to ensure that all of our prospective students are fully informed about what it takes to become a professional massage therapist. If you have any questions about your eligibility, then dont hesitate to contact us today!
It can be helpful, however, to begin by asking yourself whether massage therapy is the right field for you. Are you a naturally empathetic person? Do you gain a sense of immense satisfaction from helping other people with their problems? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you may be a good candidate for massage therapy. Now, its time to check whether you meet the basic qualifications for our programs.
In order to take one of our programs, you must be 18 or older. You must also have either a high school diploma or an equivalent diploma. A background check will be required to take each program, the cost of which is included in the application fee. You must be of good moral character to take one of our programs, and you must be able to provide three references, personal or professional. Finally, you must not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that indicates poor character, such as shoplifting, embezzlement, or fraud.
What Are The Duties Of A Licensed Massage Practitioner
Now we’re going to look at the Licensed Massage Practitioner profession. On average, Licensed Massage Practitioners earn a $4,714 higher salary than Massage Therapists a year.
A similarity between the two careers of Massage Therapists and Licensed Massage Practitioners are a few of the skills associated with both roles. We used resumes from both professions to find that both use skills like “Individual Needs,” “Clients Needs,” and “Common Areas. “
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are worth noting. For example, Massage Therapist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like “Customer Service,” “Complete Knowledge,” “LMT,” and “Chiropractic.” Meanwhile, a Licensed Massage Practitioner might be skilled in areas such as “CPR,” “Patient Care,” “Soft Tissue,” and “Injury Prevention.” These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On the topic of education, Licensed Massage Practitioners earn higher levels of education than Massage Therapists. In general, they’re 6.0% more likely to graduate with a Master’s Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
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Tips For A Successful Massage
Its important to remember that not every massage therapist is the same. Like psychotherapists, sometimes it takes a few attempts to find the massage therapist thats right for you. Not everyone likes the same type of style and pressure, so it makes sense to prefer working with some therapists over others.
Kristie Garduno, owner of Clients Kneaded Mobile Massage, suggests getting a recommendation from a friend or coworker if youre looking for a new therapist as well as reading plenty of online reviews. But above all, she suggests finding a therapist that hears you.
As long as the therapist pays attention, he/she can adjust every other variable, she explains. And of course, also find a therapist that you feel comfortable with. Massage is all about relaxing, so if you cannot get comfortable enough to relax, the time is wasted.
Once you find a massage therapist you like, stick with them, Lisson says.
My best advice for making massage a part of your wellness routine is to develop a relationship with a licensed/certified therapist that you can trust, she adds. Always seeing a different therapist increases your chances of getting a massage from a therapist with bad intentions.