Anyone who can meet the licensing requirements of their jurisdiction for massage therapy instruction is allowed to become a certified or licensed massage therapist. Licensing requirements do vary from state to state, and even furthermore by certain localities within a state.
If you are seeking to become a licensed massage therapist, it would be in your best interest to become familiar with:
- Regulatory requirements
- Regulatory boards
- Educational requirements
- Various laws that apply to massage therapy licensing
Why is it Important for a Massage Therapist to Be Licensed?
When you become a licensed massage therapist, your primary job function will be to perform bodywork and massages. You are responsible for promoting good well-being and health, while putting your clients in a relaxed state of mind.
Knowing how to properly deal with physical contact on another body can eliminate uncomfortableness, injuries, and maybe even lawsuits. Areas such as acupressure, deep tissue massage, and Thai massage require much training to execute properly. Educating yourself in these areas will not only protect you from incompetence, it will also give you the right tools to do your job.
Certification for Massage Therapy Professionals
Depending on which state you live in, there may be a different set of requirements that need to be met in order to obtain your massage therapist license. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offers two types of certifications. They are:
- National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM)
- National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB)
Both of these exams contain study content in the following areas:
- General knowledge of body systems
- Pathology
- In-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology
- Business and ethics
- Assessment of therapeutic massage
- Applications of therapeutic massage
By becoming certified for your massage therapist license, you are showing the state, your employer, and your clients that you are serious by meeting the requirements to perform your job in the safest and most competent manner.
You must graduate from an accredited school that offers massage therapy training and meet the minimum 500 hours of supervised instruction before being able to venture out on your own, further protecting your clients and your own integrity.
Duties and Careers of Certified or Licensed Massage Therapy Professionals
When you obtain your massage therapist license, your primary job function will be to reduce the muscle pains of your clients. You can work with a wide array of clients in areas such as:
- Doctors’ offices
- Rehabilitation clinics
- Sporting organizations
- Fitness centers
- Private in home practice
- And many more…
Your clients will seek you out for comfort and relaxation, or perhaps even more in depth muscle treatments. Whatever the reason may be, you’ll be able to service them confidently as the result of your strong work ethic, training, and experience.
When you are ready to learn more about becoming a licensed massage therapist, you can click here to learn how to protect yourself and your clients by getting the proper education and licensing to perform the job you love.
