How to Become a Licensed Massage Therapist in Indiana

Indiana law requires massage therapists to receive at least 500 hours of training.

In Indiana, a massage therapist must receive a license to practice from the Indiana Board of Massage Therapy. The board has set forth specific requirements regarding education and examination among other things necessary to obtain licensure. Candidates who enrolled in an approved program before July 1, 2007, AND completed it before Jan. 1, 2008 are exempt from exam requirements provided the board received the application postmarked before July 1, 2010. Indiana law requires potential licensees to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or its equivalent and be free of any convictions involving prostitution, rape or sexual misconduct.

Instructions

1. Complete a Indiana Board of Massage Therapy-approved program that consists of at least 500 hours of instruction. Approved schools in Indiana include any accredited by the Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education. If you are seeking initial licensure in Indiana but plan on receiving training outside the state, check with the board as to whether your program will qualify.

2. Pass a board-approved competency exam. The Indiana Board of Massage Therapy accepts the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination, National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage, National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the National Board Certification Agency National Certification Examination. Applicants will register directly with the organizations that administer these exams.

3. Contact your training program and arrange to have your official transcripts sent to the board directly from the school.

4. Send in the application with all the required documentation and as of 2010, a $100 fee made payable to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. The application must contain a passport-sized photo, notarized documentation showing you passed an approved exam and a notarized copy of professional liability insurance. The legal text does not state a specific dollar amount of required liability insurance and applicants should contact the board to inquire about the most current requirements.

   You can send completed applications and transcripts to

   Professional Licensing Agency
   Attn: State Board of Massage Therapy
   402 W Washington St, Room W072
   Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Tips & Warnings

• If you are already licensed in another state and seek a license in Indiana, in addition to the other application materials, you must request your licensing board to send verification of your current license directly to the Indiana Board of Massage Therapy. If you are a foreign applicant, you must submit an official translation of your transcript if it is not already in English. All foreign applicants must receive a credentials evaluation by International Education Research Foundation.

• Anyone with questions about the licensing process can call 317-234-2051.

References

• Indiana Board of Massage Therapy Laws and Regulations
• Indiana Massage Therapist License Application