Massage Therapy Certification in Colorado

Beginning in April 2009, the state of Colorado requires all massage therapists to apply for and receive a license to practice in the state. Previously, licenses had been regulated by individual cities and counties. The Massage Therapy Practice Act of 2008 now provides the guidelines and regulations for becoming a licensed massage therapist in Colorado.

Basic Requirements

• Every applicant who does not currently have a license in another state must:

  1. attain a degree, diploma or otherwise successfully complete a massage therapy program that consists of at least 500 total hours of coursework and clinical work from an approved massage school.

  2. pass one of the following exams: The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

  If you already have an active license in another state you need to:

  1. provide a printout of your active license from the state's official website.

  2. either have practiced massage therapy for a minimum of 400 hours during a 12-month period in the two years directly preceding receipt of the application; or maintained competency as a massage therapist by completing 24 hours of continuing education related to the practice of massage therapy during the two years directly preceding receipt of the application by the state of Colorado.

Background Check

• After meeting these initial requirements, applicants must also submit their fingerprints for a background check with the state. Fingerprints must be submitted to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to conduct both a state and national criminal history record check. Contact your local law enforcement agency to get an official fingerprint card, which is then sent by you to the CBI along with a fee $39.50. The CBI will then use your fingerprints to conduct a background check. It should be noted that you cannot use a previous or recent background check; you must provide your fingerprints specifically for this license.

Other Information

• Here are a few other important pieces of information regarding the application process:

  1. A Social Security Number is required of all applicants.

  2. All addresses and phone numbers on record with the Colorado Division of Registrations are public record and can be disclosed.

  3. Your application will be kept on file by the Division for one year after receipt.

  4. The application fee is $90.

  5. Licenses are valid for two years.

Insurance

• By law in the state of Colorado, massage therapists must provide their own liability insurance. It must be maintained at a level no lower than $50,000 per claim with an aggregate of $300,000 per year.

Applicant Checklist

• Make sure to double check your application

  Here is the basic checklist for the application process:

  1. Submit a completed application and supporting documentation.

  2. Enclose the nonrefundable application fee.

  3. Provide documentation of any name change.

  4. Complete the affidavit of eligibility form.

  5. Complete the massage therapist fingerprint and background check.