Massage School Practical Class At Massage School. NZCM Wellington Diploma Class 2006-07 by Mogest.

Massage License Regulations By State

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If you are thinking of a new career as a massage therapist, you will need to know the requirements for your state. Becoming a massage therapist requires education in anatomy and physiology, as well as in the practice of a number of modalities of massage therapy. The requirements of how to become a massage therapist vary from state to state, as each state has its own regulatory and licensing boards, as well as licensure requirements.

Some states do not have licensing requirements, so if you live in one of those states, you may want to add legitimacy to your practice by taking one of the national examinations. The two that are available for massage therapy are administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (Click here to link to the NCBTMB website) and by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (Click to link to the FSMTB website).

There are three exams administered by the NCBTMB: the Board Certification examination, requiring 750 hours of education, the NCETM, and the NCETMB. The latter exam includes questions about bodywork in addition to massage, and both the NCETM and NCETMB are acceptable for licensure in 39 states.

Each requires 500 hours of classroom education. The Board Certification exam is the highest credential in the industry, accepted for licensure by many state boards. The benefit to the BCTMB exam is that it gives you a higher standing among other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, chiropractors, and physical therapists.

The FSMTB administers the MBLex, which is an exam that is accepted for licensure in 43 states, while other states are currently reviewing using this exam for licensure. The MBLex does not have a set number of hours required to sit for the exam, since each state has its own requirements, some requiring as few as 250 hours of classroom education to become a massage therapist.

Some states have a Massage Therapy board, while most states direct the Nursing Board of that state to administer the requirements and licensing for massage therapy. In those cases, applications and forms are sent to the Nursing Board, and the Nursing Board will issue the license. Listed below you will find links to pages for each state with the licensing requirements, board regulations, hours of education, and whether they allow the exams mentioned above.

Some states have a Massage Therapy board, while most states direct the Nursing Board of that state to administer the requirements and licensing for massage therapy. In those cases, applications and forms are sent to the Nursing Board, and the Nursing Board will issue the license. Listed below you will find links to pages for each state with the licensing requirements, board regulations, hours of education, and whether they allow the exams mentioned above.