How to Register As a Massage Therapist
Registering as a massage therapist can be as difficult as a challenging written and practical examination, or as easy as getting fingerprinted by the county sheriff's office. The hurdles you face depend on where you plan on registering as a massage therapist. It can be difficult, but it is not impossible to do. You just have to be prepared for whatever comes your way.
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Things You'll Need
- Diploma from a state-certified massage school
- Official copy of transcripts
Instructions
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Apply With Your Local Licensing Body
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In some states, you will register with the state massage therapy board. In some areas, the licensing process is handled by a local office like the sheriff's department. Either way, you will likely have to meet a minimum number of hours of education, which will be shown on your official transcripts. You will also have to submit proof that you completed the course of schooling. Your diploma should meet this requirement.
You will have to submit an application for a license. This will require enough information for a background check, such as a social security number, and aliases or other names used, and references. You will also have to pay a fee for processing. The fees depend on where you are applying. -
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Submit to a written examination. Most states require you demonstrate your knowledge with passage of a standardized test. There are three options: The NCBTMB exam, the MBLEx exam, or a test prepared by the state or local office. If you take the NCBTMB or MBLEx, the results will be accepted by other states which accept those exams. Local tests will not be accepted by other state or local licensing agencies unless there is a reciprocity agreement in place between the two agencies.
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Submit to a practical exam. In some states, the final step before receiving your massage license is to perform a practical exam. In Oregon, the practical exam involves several steps: a 15-minute massage using the modality of your choice, draping, a verbal quiz on pathology, client intake demonstration, and identification of the origins, insertions, and actions of several muscles selected at random. Other states may have other requirements.
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After you have completed each of the steps successfully, you will receive notification that you have met the requirements for licensure. Pay your initial license fee and receive your license or certification from the state or local agency. You are now registered as a massage therapist in your area.
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Tips & Warnings
Allow yourself enough time to study and prepare for each stage in the process.
Do not rely on your good grades to see you through the test questions and practical exams. Once the pressure is on, you need to know your craft inside and out.
Be prepared to spend up to several hundred dollars for testing and license fees.
