How to Get Started in Massage Therapy

Stressed-out Americans appreciate the benefits of massage therapy and the demand for massage therapists is growing. Many massage therapists appreciate the flexibility of being self-employed as well as the number of venues in which they can practice. Here are some tips for getting started as a massage therapist.

Instructions

Research Licensing Laws

• 1

  Find out if a license is required to practice massage therapy in your state. The American Massage Therapy Association (www.amtamassage.org) regularly updates its site with a list of states that license massage therapists.

• 2

  Contact your state's licensing board to learn about requirements for licensure and to obtain a list of approved schools.

• 3

  Find out if your city or town has its own requirements for licensing massage therapists: City Hall or your Local Chamber of Commerce should be able to help you learn about local regulations.

• 4

  Obtain national certification through the National Certifying Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) if your state does not license massage therapists. While this is not a government issued credential, it is highly regarded in the massage and bodywork industry, and will make it easier for you to get licensed if you move to a state where massage therapy is regulated.

Research Schools

• 5

  Investigate schools teaching massage therapy in your area. Even if your state does not yet require a license to practice massage therapy, it is a good idea to select a school that offers a program of at least 500 hours and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association.

• 6

  Visit local massage therapy schools. Many schools will let you sit in on a class as an observer. Different schools have different educational philosophies, teach different modalities of massage, and have different class schedules, so be sure to select the school that best meets your needs.

• 7

  Check with the Better Business Bureau and your state licensing board to make sure that the school is both approved and has clean business record.

Take the NCBTMB and/or State Licensing Exam

• 8

  Take your state's licensing exam, if required. In most states, this is the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) exam. If massage therapy is not regulated in your state, you should still consider taking this exam in order to demonstrate your proficiency.

• 9

  Prepare for the exam by taking advantage of the study aids provided either by your state licensing board or on the NCBTMB (www.ncbtmb.org) website.

• 10

  Submit your documentation to the NCBTMB for taking the exam and national certification. If your state has its own exam, follow its process for registering for the exam. It is still wise to take the NCBTMB exam in addition to your state's exam, however.

• 11

  Complete the application process (after passing the exam) in your state to be licensed.