What Qualifications Do Sports Massage Therapists Need?

Sports massage therapists need the same certifications and training as other licensed massage therapists; the sports-massage part is merely a specialty. Therapists specializing in sports massage often team with physical-therapy businesses or gyms.

Certification

U.S. states vary in their certification or licensing requirements, but all require some combination of coursework, supervised practice, character references and examination.

Coursework

States require between about 500 and 1,000 hours of coursework, including the study of biology, physiology, anatomy, law and theory.

Supervised practice

Most states require about 100 hours of supervised practice, often counted among the coursework requirements.

Ethics

Therapists must take classes to learn the ethics of their field, and must submit affidavits attesting to their good moral character.

Examinations

All states require a certification test that includes some combination of written, verbal and practical examination.

Physical requirements

Massage in general is a physically intensive field, with most therapists able to do 20 to 25 hours of massage a week when they are in top physical condition.

References

• National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
• Melissa Heaener, Licensed Massage Therapist, Armory Massage, Syracuse, NY (Interview)