How Do You Become A Licensed Massage Therapist

How Long Does It Take To Become A Certified Massage Therapist

How To Become a Licensed Massage Therapist/ Schooling, Licensure and Continuing Education

Massage professionals must complete at least 500 hours of in-class instruction. The time it takes to satisfy these requirements depends on your course schedule and whether you are a full or part-time student. Massage therapy training programs can take as little as six months or up to 15 months to complete.

How Many Hours Do You Work As A Massage Therapist

The amount of hours that massage therapists work varies widely. Be aware that your total time on the job will not be spent exclusively on what the massage profession calls contact hoursthe time spent doing actual massage. You will also need to clean and sanitize your massage room/equipment and perform business-related tasks.

In a 2020 survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association, the average number of work hours per week for massage therapists was 27.2 .

Is A Massage Therapy License The Same As A Business License

No, although you may be required to have both, depending on the type of massage therapy work you do. Massage therapy licensure is required for any practitioner of massage therapy, even if theyâre an employee of a larger company. The massage therapy license is unique to the industry and shows youâre competent in the field.

On the other hand, a business license certifies that your business is allowed to operate legally in your area and is safe for the public to engage with.

Not every massage therapist will need a business license since not every massage therapist is a business owner. For instance, massage therapists who work full-time at fitness centers wonât need to register for a business license since theyâre employed by a business that will be licensed. But if you decide to pick up your own clients part-time, you most likely will need to register as a business.

Types Of Massage Therapist Certifications To Consider

Becoming a massage therapist involves training to develop the skills needed to practice. Aspiring massage therapists can choose to earn a certification in addition to their state license. By understanding what each additional training is, you can discover how each option may help you in your career. In this article, we explore what massage therapist licenses and certifications are and provide a list of several types of massage therapist certifications to consider for your professional development.

What Is A Licensed Massage Therapist

How Long Does It Take to Become a Massage Therapist?

A licensed massage therapist uses massage techniques to promote health and healing in clients. As a massage therapist, your responsibilities and duties include preparing the treatment room, discussing complaints and medical history and injuries with patients, conducting therapeutic massages, and keeping a log of patient progress. If you work in the therapy center or doctor’s office, you may also need to update patient records and share progress with other medical professionals. Your goal is to help people with pain relief, increase muscle relaxation, and promote wellness through the proper use of various massage techniques.

Also Check: Massage Envy In Diamond Bar

How To Become A Masseuse Or Massage Therapist

This article was co-authored by and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Marty Morales is a Professional Massage Therapist and the Founder and Owner of the Morales Method, a manual therapy and body conditioning business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles, California. Marty has over 16 years of massage therapist experience and over 13 years of experience educating others on the best practices for massage therapy. Marty has over 10,000 hours of private practice logged and is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner, CMT. He has an MBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 754,449 times.

Massage therapy helps millions of people cope with physical ailments, sore muscles, and emotional distress. If you have a gift for giving a wonderful massage, becoming a professional massage therapist could be a great career opportunity and a way to truly help other people with your skill.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming A Massage Therapist

Here are some frequently asked questions about becoming a massage therapist to help you learn more:

What is the work environment like for massage therapists?

Many massage therapists are in private practice, but they may also work in a wide variety of settings, including:

Spas
Health and wellness centers
Private practice

Many massage therapists are part-time, though some work full-time at these facilities or work part-time among a variety of multiple employers.

What types of massage can I specialize in?

There are many different types of massage you can specialize in, including:

What skills are required for massage therapists?

Massage therapists typically need the following skills:

Communication**:** These professionals need to listen to the client’s symptoms and discuss what forms of treatment are appropriate. Strong active listening, verbal communication and written communication can help you do so.

Empathy: They must understand their client’s needs and be able to adjust their communication or massage style to better accommodate client preferences and needs.

Physical stamina and strength: They are constantly on their feet and need to manipulate muscles and joints that may be difficult to move. This skill also allows them to provide the right amount of pressure and maneuver into positions to perform certain massages as needed.

What questions can I expect at a job interview?

Massage therapists might hear the following questions in a job interview:

Recommended Reading: Massage Envy Palm Beach Gardens Us 1

Where Is It Located

Massage programs typically require extensive lab work and hands-on practice. And that means a lot of time on campus. Think through the implications of the schools location: How far are you willing or able to travel each day? Does the school provide options that can fit with your schedule?

And if youre open to relocating, think about the areas cost of living as well as what it has to offer in terms of quality of lifee.g., arts, entertainment, dining, neighborhoods, parks and outdoor recreation. Can you see yourself living there?

Complete All Practical Requirements

How to Become a Massage Therapist | Massage Techniques

Practical requirements for massage therapists vary depending on state laws, but they generally revolve around a high school diploma, maintaining a minimum GPA throughout a program that lasts at least six months full time, or 12 months part-time .

Apprenticeship experience may also be required for experience working on real clients. Youll learn about different massage techniques and concepts during this stage, including orthopedics, trigger points, and palpation techniques.

You may also pursue specialty areas like Swedish massage, aromatherapy, oriental medicine, acupuncture, and sports massage. Graduates will then be eligible to take and pass an approved massage therapy exam.

The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination , administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards , is one of the most commonly accepted exams within the United States, though the National Certification Examination, administered by the Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork , is also widely recognized.

You May Like: Massage Places In San Francisco

Enroll In A Massage Therapy Program

Youâll want to make sure you thoroughly research any schools youâre thinking about attending to ensure they have the proper accreditation and teach the type of massage youâre most interested in. Once you find an approved school, check to see if you apply for any financial aid, and get ready to dig deep into the world of clinical massage!

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.

You may be eligible for licensure by endorsement if you:

Submit a completed application for licensure to New York State and the appropriate fee

Are at least 21 years of age

Present evidence of graduation from high school or its equivalent

Have not taken and failed the New York State Massage Therapy examination

Are a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States

Have been determined by the Department to be of good moral character

Are in good standing as a licensee in each state, country or territory in which you are licensed to practice massage therapy

Received a certificate for completing a course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation within the three years prior to New York State licensure

In addition to meeting the requirements of Section A, you must satisfy the following requirements:

If you have been licensed and practiced 2 – 4 years in another state, country or territory, you must:

Meet the New York State 1,000-hour education requirement for licensure

*One year of experience is defined as 52 weeks in which massage therapy is practiced an average of 12 hours each week.

Also Check: Hilton Head Island Massage Therapy

How To Become A Licensed Massage Therapist In 2022

Home»Massage Therapy»How to Become a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2022

Are you interested in learning how to become a licensed massage therapist? You are not alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the job outlook is expected to grow by 21 percent over the next ten years, a figure that far exceeds those predicted for other professions.

That growth is attributed mainly to a growing acceptance of holistic health practices. What was once considered a luxury service is increasingly incorporated into everyday wellness routines. An aging population has also helped increase demand for good masseurs.

Below, well look deeper into what it takes to become a licensed massage therapist.

Practicing As A Massage Therapist

How to Become a Licensed Massage Therapist in Florida

1 In the past, just about all massage therapists worked for themselves. Now there are a growing number of salaried jobs in massage therapy at massage parlors, spas, hotels, and other establishments, so you have a lot of options. Most jobs are low paying and start at $15 an hour, but you can find some jobs that pay much more than that.

While you can usually make more money starting your own business, it can be difficult to get clients at first, and business expenses can pile up. If you want to start your own business, you’ll need to lease a space in a central location to pick up plenty of clients.

Another option is to contract with a health care provider or group of massage therapists to share a space. You’d still be in charge of your own services and business, but you’d have more security operating out of an established.

Your massage school should be able to provide some counseling to help you make your choice.

2Take care of business items. Setting up a massage business is similar to setting up other types of small businesses. In order to legally operate as a business, there are certain requirements you must follow:XResearch source

Pick a business name and get it registered.

Also Check: Does Medicare Pay For Medical Massage Therapy

Establish Goals Before Your Training

There are quite a few different directions for massage therapists to take their career, and while you dont have to know the exact route you want or what kind of massage you want to specialize in, its smart to think about it before starting a training program.

Start by asking yourself a couple of questions:

What kind of massage do you want to learn? Deep tissue? Swedish? Sports? You dont have to know right away, as youll likely learn a variety of massages in your program, but its a good idea to plan.
Do you want to work as a solo practitioner or for an established business? Many massage therapists begin under the umbrella of an established business for a few years before going out on their own. Still, if you have dreams of jumping right into your own business, youll want to find a training program that can help steer you toward running your own show.

What Is The Difference Between A Certified Massage Therapist And A Licensed Massage Therapist

A certified massage therapist and licensed massage therapist are essentially the same the main difference depends on the terminology a given state chooses to use. They both have successfully completed a certificate or degree program from an accredited massage therapy school and have successfully passed a state-sanctioned massage therapy exam.

Technically speaking, four states currently do not require massage therapy licensure: Wyoming, Vermont, Minnesota, and Kansas. Note, however, that there may still be licensing requirements at the county or municipal level.

Also, there is a growing push to require licensure in every state. In Minnesota, for example, state legislators recently introduced a bill requiring massage therapists to be licensed.

Don’t Miss: Massage Therapist West Palm Beach

Licensing Requirement & Certification

In most states, massage therapists must be licensed to practice and receive fees for massage and bodywork services. You must apply to your states board of massage therapy to meet this licensing requirement. Prerequisites for licensure as a massage therapist include at least 700 hours of massage school. Upon successfully completing Arizona Colleges massage therapy program, our graduates are eligible to pursue certification through the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy.

How To Become An Occupational Therapist

Massage Therapy : How Long Does it Take to Be a Massage Therapist?

Occupational therapists help people with physical and mental health issues to be more independent . Occupational therapists also aspire to promote dignity and an adequate standard of life for their clients . For example, an occupational therapist might help someone who is new to using a wheelchair figure out how to live their day-to-day life in an independent manner.

Occupational therapists also help their clients family members or caregivers understand how to best help the client in their daily activities.

To become an occupational therapist, one should first earn a bachelors degree in a program that includes some coursework in physiology or a related field. After earning a bachelors degree, prospective occupational therapists should volunteer or work in an occupational therapists office to gain experience .

Prospective occupational therapists are then qualified for a masters degree in occupational therapy, which is the requisite degree for most jobs. After earning a masters degree, one needs to complete occupational therapist licensing, which is administered in the United States by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy . From there, one should be ready to start looking for work.

For more information on occupational therapists, visit this website.

Recommended Reading: Hand And Stone Massage Kent Station

Where And How To Practice While Studying

Practicing on other students is a fairly standard part of a massage therapy certification course. Many schools also have massage clinics where people can get free or discounted massages to provide students with an opportunity to practice. You can also offer free massages to friends and family members. Chances are, they’ll be more than happy to let you practice on them.

Practicing as much as you can not only helps you gain confidence, it builds up the considerable strength in your hands that you will need as a professional massage therapist.

Rehab Clinics And Hospitals

In a rehabilitation clinic or hospital, your focus would be on healing injuries and soothing pain. Youll be working with people who likely have reduced mobility, are relearning physical skills after an accident, who deal with chronic pain or injury-specific pain and those who may be well on their way to full recovery who just need a bit of extra help when it comes to stress reduction and muscle tension.

You May Like: How To Find A Massage Therapist To Hire

Become A Massage Therapist: A Guide To Training Certifications And Classes

Becoming a massage therapist is not an easy feat. It takes time, patience, and dedication to become qualified for the job.

Massage therapists are trained in many different ways, but there are some universal steps that you must take if you want to become one of these professionals in the near future.

This article will give you information on how to become a massage therapist, including where to go for training and certifications, what classes might be right for you, and more!

Learn About The Career And Establish Goals

Steps to Becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist

Massage Therapy is a great career path, but there are some important choices to make before entering the field. You dont have to have it all figured out beforehand, but its important to have goals.

Start by asking yourself what type of massage would you like to learn. There are dozens of different modalitiesincluding deep tissue, sports, Swedish and trigger point. Most Massage Therapists practice several, but only specialize in a few. Typically, youll learn many different styles during a Massage Therapy training program, so you dont have to know yet.

Then, ask yourself if you want to work as a solo practitioner, or for an established spa or massage business? While many Massage Therapists are self-employed, most began their careers as an employee for a couple of years. If you have aspirations of starting your own business, youll want to pick a career training program that emphasizes entrepreneurship.

Start considering these options before you enter a program so you can make sure youll learn what you need to achieve your goals.

Massage Therapists Certifications & Licensure

Licensure requirements for massagetherapists vary from state to state. Aspiring massage therapistsshould research what procedures and examinations are required forprofessional licensure in massage therapy in an individualscurrent or future state of residence.

The AssociatedBodywork & Massage Professionals organization reports that 43 states require licensure, as doesthe District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Asummary of the requirements for licensure of massage therapyprofessionals in each state can be found on the ABMP website.

Common examinations include the MBLExor board certification and specialization from the NationalCertification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

It is worth noting that a certificatefrom the NCBTMB does not replace state licensure, but it does proveprogrammatic educational quality and ensure that a massage therapyprofessional has met requirements beyond those required for initialprogram. Upon earning licensure, many massage therapists use thecredential licensed massage therapist to represent their levelof training and professionalism.