What Are The Licensing Requirements For A Massage Therapist
Most states require individuals to have a license to practice massage therapy. This ensures clients that the massage therapist has met specific requirements as posted by the state regulatory board. The requirements for massage therapist licensing vary by state. To find your state’s requirements, go to the American Massage Therapy Association website. Typically, these professionals must complete between 500 and 1,000 hours of training from a board-approved massage school. Other states may require additional training, such as becoming CPR certified or taking a first aid class. Upon completing education, prospective massage therapists take their state’s exam to get licensed.
Approved Continuing Education Providers
All licensed massage therapy schools are also approved to provide continuing education, and may issue either continuing education certificates, or transcripts showing advanced course work . Search for a licensed massage school
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, is a recognized continuing education provider. Providers and courses which have been approved by the NCBTMB will be accepted for continuing education, but courses must be directly related to the acceptable course curriculum.
What Is The Typical Path To An Online Massage Therapy Certification
Students typically complete a massage therapy program teaching them the material needed to take a certification exam. This often includes in-person, hands-on training supervised by a licensed massage therapist instructor. These programs most often include topics such as physiology and kinesiology, as well as medical terminology, massage technique practical skills, and business-related courses. These programs may follow a specific course of study or be self-paced, allowing students to take courses as they desire.
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Ncbtmb: New Changes Bring Big Confusion Updated February 2019
May 7th, 2013
As of January 1, 2013 the NCBTMB credential of National Certification was retired and the Board Certification credential was introduced. Taking some NCBTMB-certified massage therapists by surprise, these changes have caused a lot of confusion. Find out the answers to some commonly asked questions.
February 2019
Those who have held the credential of National Certification through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork who are looking to renew their certification this year have been speaking out about their confusion over the new Board Certification credential. Here at the Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies we have worked with the NCBTMB to get answers and hope to alleviate some of the common questions that are stumping NCBTMB members.
Lets Start from the Beginning
Prior to January 1, 2013 a person held the credential of National Certification through the NCBTMB. Members holding this credential were provided with two options for renewal:
Becoming Board Certified
The Board Certification Exam Does Everyone Need to Take It?
What If I Dont Meet the Board Certification Requirements?
How To Find Providers Of Massage Ces
For board-certification, all 24 of your CEs must come from NCBTMB-approved providers. Depending on your state, a certain number of your total CEs may also fall under this restriction. The best way to earn usable CEs is to find NCBTMB-approved providers.
AMTA: The American Massage Therapy Association is a network of massage therapy professionals. Besides a directory of Massage Therapy schools, practitioners, and job postings, AMTA offers 80+ Continuing Education courses online. Members can access courses at a 40% discount, and some courses are free.
MassageCeu.com: Panda Massage CEU is another board-certified Continuing Education provider. Approved for license renewal in Florida, New York, Texas, and Louisiana, some of Pandas courses are state-specific. However, all are approved for NCBTMB CEs and are administered online. Prices per credit hour range from $7 for bundles to $8.50 for a la carte.
MedBridgeMassage: A leading provider of Continuing Education courses, MedBridge offers on-demand courses and live webinars that are NCBTMB-approved. With topics ranging from marketing strategies to patient conditions, MedBridge Massage is the perfect resource for the massage therapist looking to grow their business, refine their skills, or challenge their practice.
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Avoiding Headache: Little Cpr Training Detail On The Dcca Application For Massage Therapists:
If you are a massage therapist looking to get CPR training in Hawaii to meet your DCCA Licensing requirements there is a wording on the application, if not understood correctly, may cause delays and loss of funds to the Hawaii Massage Therapy Applicant. At the time of writing of this blog, the question number four on the Hawaii DCCA application for Massage License asks:
Do you hold a current Adult and Infant CPR training card from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association?
Best For Specializations: The Professional Massage Academy
The Professional Massage Academy
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Based in Minnesota, with online components
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Some may need more training for state exams
The Professional Massage Academy offers an online massage therapy program with flexible online classes and some in-person learning. Those in Minnesota can sit for their state licensing exam after course completion. Some taking the program out-of-state may need more hands-on training locally to meet their state requirements.
It’s possible to take specialized massage therapy programs for one or two areas of focus in other courses and programs. Students have access to some specialization options included the program such as sports massage, advanced massage techniques, and specialized massage areas such as reflexology, medical massage, and deep tissue massage. This is taught through demonstration and practical application. Students also learn core topics such as kinesiology, medical terminology, and anatomy.
The Professional Massage Academy also offers personalization and flexibility by providing three learning plans with 15, 29, or 40 hours per week of study, allowing students to complete their education in as little as 15 weeks. At a cost of $7,500 and requiring 600 hours of completion, this program is a moderate choice across the board. There is also a $150 fee for online access to the program.
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Applicants Licensed In Another Jurisdiction
If you are licensed in another state, country or territory based on specific education and examination requirements, and have practiced massage therapy in that state, country or territory for at least two years, you may be eligible for licensure by endorsement.
If you have been licensed and practiced 2 – 4 years in another state, country or territory, you must:
*One year of experience is defined as 52 weeks in which massage therapy is practiced an average of 12 hours each week.
Find Your States Massage Therapy License Requirements
Every state has different massage therapy license requirements. Quickly find your state by using the map below.
- At least 18 years old
- Has never knowingly performed massage therapy at a sexually-oriented business
- Has never plead no contest to crimes pertaining to prostitution or sexual offense within three years prior to license application
Insurance Requirements
- Personal Liability Coverage
Training
- Hold and maintain a current AL license
- Submit application form and fee
- Show proof of two years of work experience
Renewal
Note: This information has been gathered from external sources and is for informational purposes. Please check with your local regulations to verify your state and local requirements.
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What Can You Do With A Massage Therapy License
Preparing to find a career after getting a massage therapy license is exciting, but may be challenging. With your new qualification, you can apply to a variety of positions in medicine and sports. A clear explanation of massage therapy career options and job search strategies can make it easier to find a suitable job in your chosen field. In this article, we discuss what you can do with a massage therapy license.
Important Changes To Your Ncbtmb Recertification Requirements
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork has undergone several serious upgrades over the last few months, not the least of which is a brand new website, career management site and blog. However, perhaps the most important change for our massage therapy family are those made to their recertification requirements. Those changes went into effect on of this year and have a significant impact on massage therapists across the US.
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New Jersey Licensed Massage Therapist Cpr Requirements
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards requires Massage Therapists to be certified in Basic CPR AED and First Aid from the American Heart Association or a substantially similar approved course.
Proof of the current CPR AED and First Aid Certification from a course approved by the American Heart Association or a substantially similar approved course is a requirement for applying for your license to the Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy Examining Committee.
Best On A Budget: Allied Health Career Institute
Allied Health Career Institute
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Lack of interactive online format
The Massage Therapy Certificate Program from Allied Health Career Institute is a 700-credit hour program offering self-paced learning. It prepares students for health and wellness careers, providing a good blend of online and in-classroom education in Arizona.
At a cost of $6,999, the Allied Health Career Institute program is affordable, especially since it prepares students to sit for the MBLEx certification program. It’s also beneficial to those on a budget because of flexible payment plans and financial aid potential, plus students can complete their education over time.
Allied Health Career Institutes comprehensive course includes topics such as kinesiology, anatomy, pathology, and musculoskeletal applications. Students receive practical skill training in trigger point therapy, Western massage, reflexology, and myofascial massage. There is also some business-focused content provided to help students develop good relationships with clients and build their practice.
Although the program is not comprehensive in covering all types of massage. it does offer a hands-on learning style that can help perfect the skills and techniques that are covered.
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Cpr For Massage Therapists
Every massage therapists number one goal is the health and wellbeing of your patients. Massage therapist BLS and CPR courses are a great way to further develop your skills and prepare yourself for emergencies. Should a patient suffer cardiac arrest during a therapy session, CPR training equips you to help until first responders can arrive. Quick treatment is key when it comes to cardiac emergencies, and those extra few minutes could make all the difference for your patients health.
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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What Are Some Tips For Starting Work As A Massage Therapist
Clients have different physical attributes that require an individualized massage approach. Information about recent injuries and sensitive areas guides you into choosing the right technique for your client and maximizing the positive impact of your work. Giving frequent massages can be tiring, so remember to pay attention to your own needs in order to keep your mind and body in top condition. Maintain appropriate professionalism even as you intimately handle another person’s body.
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Current Massage Therapy Students
Program Requirements Massage therapy students are required to have an annual medical examination, liability insurance, and First Aid/CPR certification. All students in hands-on courses are required to present completed medical clearance from Health Services, evidence of liability insurance, and First Aid/CPR certification to the instructors of their courses at the beginning of each semester.
Medical Clearance A massage student medical form must be completed by a physician or nurse practitioner and submitted to the Health Services Office. Massage student medical clearance must be updated each semester.
Student Liability Insurance All students in hands-on courses are required to carry liability insurance. Massage student liability insurance policies are available through membership in various organizations:
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Certification Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification is required for all massage therapy students during the program. Students in hands-on courses are required to present evidence of current First Aid and CPR certification to their course instructors at the beginning of each semester.
Any color polo shirt is acceptable for lab classes. Students in hospital-based clinical massage classes must wear white polo shirts and navy blue scrub pants.
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What If I Move States
Renewal discrepancies can pose a problem if you decide to move to a different state. You may be able to have your license endorsed if your previous states licensing requirements were equal to or exceeding your current states requirements. However, some states are very strict on this, so be sure to check with the state boards.
Youre not confined to one state, however it is possible to hold multiple licenses. So if you spend winters in Florida but summers in New York, a little extra CE research will ensure you can continue your practice wherever you go.
Will Ncbtmb Accept Cpr For Ce Hours
No. First Aid and CPR courses do not represent advanced content and are not accepted for continuing education.
Spotlight
I have an ethical responsibility to provide cutting edge & current information for my students. Board Certification ensures that Im directly connected to the progressive evolution of our profession.
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What Are The Advantages Of Becoming A Massage Therapist
Licensed massage therapists can launch their careers without investing significant amounts of time and money in a college degree. Massage therapy is a flexible job for people with family obligations. You can work as a massage therapist anywhere, and the hours are often negotiable. Massage therapists benefit society and serve their communities because they promote physical and mental health when treating their patients.
What Are The Licensing Requirements To Be A Massage Therapist
Licensing requirements vary by state, and a few states have no licensure. To obtain a license, most states require a set number of supervised classwork hours, from 500-1000. You may also need to complete a CPR or Ethics course and pass the MBLEx . Note that if you live in Hawaii or New York, youll need to pass the state-specific licensing exam.
Meanwhile, massage therapists in Vermont dont need a license, but they do need to be Registered. And in place of a license, California offers massage therapists a Certificate for massage therapy practice.
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Zero Balancing Certification Program
The Zero Balancing Certification Program gives students experience working with body structure and energy through touch. It helps students deepen their skills and gain access to mentorship and community. To become a certified zero balancer , complete 100 course hours. This may include one-on-one touch feedback and other activities.
What Skills Do You Learn By Pursuing A Massage Therapy License
Earning your massage therapy license means you that you have received enough education to pass your state’s licensing exam. Many of the skills learned while pursuing your license can be used in other careers. For example, several states set a CPR course as a licensing requirement. You can use CPR skills to work as a lifeguard or a volunteer EMT. Massage therapy schools teach their students the biological and historical framework behind pressure points and stress. Understanding the pliability of muscles is good preparation for physical therapy training.
Massage therapists learn different types of massage modalities such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and lymphatic massage. Learning to read the body’s physical signals gives you an advantage in careers like yoga instruction and personal training. Massage therapists manipulate clients’ limbs to improve blood circulation and promote oxygen flow in limbs. Stress relief strategies are beneficial in high pressure situations especially when you have tight deadlines to meet or regularly work long hours.
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