About Massage Licenses
Massage therapists treat people suffering from physical injuries, chronic ailments and stress with techniques that manipulate soft tissue. Most states oversee massage therapy and require practitioners to be licensed. Requirements for a license differ from state to state.
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Training
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States authorize different boards and councils to set standards, review applications, and issue licenses. Some states appoint a board of professional therapists, while others regulate massage therapy through a government health agency. To qualify for a license, most boards require massage therapists to attend a training program and complete an average of 500 hours of clinical and classroom training.
Exams
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Most states also require massage therapists to pass a licensing exam. Some states have developed their own individual tests, but many rely on the exams developed by a national certification board for massage therapists. Some states require both. Even if it's not required, passing the national certification exam may be helpful for those who intend to practice in different states.
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License Renewals
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Licensing boards generally require massage therapists to register and pay a fee for a license. In many areas, a license to practice massage therapy must be renewed periodically and practitioners are required to complete a set number of hours of training to update their knowledge and skills.
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References
- Photo Credit massage image by Dmitri MIkitenko from Fotolia.com
