License Required for a Massage Therapist in the State of Maryland

The massage information website Massage Today reports the art of massage therapy is one of the oldest forms of healing known to medicine. Massage therapy in its crudest form is referenced in the writings of Hippocrates in 4 B.C. Massage therapy in the state of Maryland is regulated by the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy, and two types of therapists are licensed by the state.

Massage Therapy

• Massage therapy uses a variety of techniques that are applied to the muscular structure and the soft tissues to provide relief from a number of conditions. According to Massage Today, the techniques used in massage therapy include pressure, holding, vibration, friction and compression. The most common area of the body used by massage therapists are the hands, but other areas used include the forearms and feet.

Types

• The massage therapy information website Massage Exam explains the state of Maryland licenses two types of massage therapists, CMTs and RMTs. A certified massage therapist (CMT) must attend an additional 60 hours of college courses than the RMT. By attending the extra college courses the CMT is allowed to practice massage therapy in medical institutions such as nursing homes, clinics, doctors offices and hospitals. A registered massage therapist (RMT) is licensed only to perform massage therapy in private businesses, health clubs and spas.

Education

• The Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy reports all applicants seeking certification from the board must provide proof of the successful completion of an exam from an accredited massage therapy board, such as NCBTMB or the NCCAOM. Alongside the completed examination, the applicant must provide proof of the completion of 500 hours of education in massage therapy from a school accredited by the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy.

Jurisprudence

• The Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy explains that, to complete the registration process to become a licensed massage therapist in the state, a mandatory jurisprudence exam must be completed. The Massage Exam website explains the jurisprudence exam is taken over a period of 90 minutes and contains 55 multiple choice questions. To become a registered massage therapist in Maryland, an applicant must achieve a score of 75 percent or more on the completed jurisprudence exam.

Cost

• According to the Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy, the license issued to a massage therapist is valid for a period of two years. The renewal of a massage therapy license in the state of Maryland has a cost of $200 in 2010, with a $150 fee for the issuance of a license for the first time. The jurisprudence exam carries a one-time cost of $200.