Massage Therapist Licensure

May 24, 2016
Massage Therapist

Individuals who meet the licensing requirements of his or her jurisdiction for massage therapy can become a licensed or certified massage therapist. Since licensing requirements vary from state to state and by localities within a state, it is highly recommended to become familiar with the regulatory requirements, which may consist of regulatory boards, educational requirements and various laws.

In general, licensed or certified massage therapists perform massage and bodywork. Their professional goal is to put the client in a relaxed state of mind and help promote good health and well being.

Many massage therapy training programs offer basic certification whereby students and practitioners may continue their education to learn additional techniques like deep tissue massage, Thai massage or acupressure.

Licensure and Certification for the Massage Therapy Professional

Each state has its own set of requirements for massage therapy licensing. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) offers two types of certifications:

National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB)
National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM)

Both exams contain content in the following areas:

General knowledge of body systems
In-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology
Pathology
Assessment of therapeutic massage
Applications of therapeutic massage
Business and ethics

The exams are multi-choice. Candidates must have 500 hours of supervised instruction and graduated from an accredited school offering a massage therapy training program. Accredited schools offer curriculum and training that prepares students for either the NCETMB or the NCETM certification examinations.

Duties for Licensed or Certified Massage Therapy Professionals

Licensed or certified massage therapists work to reduce muscle pain of clients by manipulating soft tissue to improve blood circulation and eliminate waste. Patients are treated for both relaxation and muscle purposes. Licensed or certified massage therapists, as a whole, work with a wide range of clients.

Licensed or Certified Massage Therapist Careers

Many clients seek the services of a massage therapist for relaxation and comfort. Others turn to massage therapists for more in-depth work. As a result of training, experience, work ethic and favorable market conditions, licensed or certified massage therapists may work in rehabilitation clinics, doctors’ offices, fitness centers, sports organizations and more.

Glossary of Terms

NCETMB – National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

NCETM – National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage

MBLEx Licensing Exam – The Massage and Body Licensing Examination is governed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). It is designed to provide a standard for an entry-level scope of practice for massage therapists.

MBLEx tests - Test questions include benefits and effects of massage techniques, massage history, professional practice guidelines, and anatomy and physiology.

FSMTB – Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.