Licensing & Certification For Massage Therapy Business

By Author: Liza Castaneda
Total Articles: 18
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The practice of massage has been a valuable tool to help many people in the medical field. It's also an accomplished professional, but one without knowledge can be dangerous if they don't understand how their actions may affect you or someone else (for example - deep tissue massages will cause pain on the top layer due to its emphasis so deeply penetrating muscles).

If you are starting a massage therapy business, you will need to obtain a license and/or certification or a massage therapy certificate. The requirements for licensure and certification vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your local licensing board or bureau.

Some of the most common requirements for licensure include:

completing an accredited massage therapy program, passing a state exam

having a certain number of hours of practical experience, and/or internship under a licensed massage therapist.

Some states also require you to have a background check performed ...
... before granting a license.

Certified VS Licensed Massage Therapist.

To know the requirement of rules and regulations firstly one should understand the difference between The Certified and Licensed Massage Therapist. Here is a basic difference :

Certified Massage Therapist :
A massage therapist who has received a graduation certificate of massage therapy must take an examination that is administered by the Federation for State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX) exam simulates what it would be like to work in different fields and helps students prepare themselves before they start their careers.

Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards

After an applicant has successfully completed a Massage Therapist approved massage training program, they will receive their MBLEX certification. This can be done by certified instructors and accredited schools for the purpose of showing that you have met all requirements necessary to sit for this important exam.

Licensed Massage Therapist :
Licensure is required in most states and is regulated by each state's Department of Health. Applicants must pass a criminal background check, meet minimum age requirements (most commonly 18 years), and take an approved exam.

Many states require the passing of the national National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) as an additional requirement. This exam is meant to show that the applicant has gained an understanding of basic anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology as well as the history of massage.

The process for obtaining licensure varies from state to state. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has compiled examinations statistics on their site if you need more information about your state.

Rules & Regulations Of Massage Therapy.
In the US, no two states have exactly the same regulations for becoming a massage therapist. Some require an extensive amount of education while others only ask that you complete some coursework and pass exams in order to practice legally within their borders!

American Massage therapy Associations stated some benefits of Professional Licensing :

1. To protect the public from untrained practitioners who could potentially harm them

2. The need for a regulating authority that has jurisdiction over all massage therapists in order to ensure high standards are met when it comes down to providing treatment

3. The right of these professionals should also extend beyond just what is happening during sessions between two people in a room. The ability to practice in other settings, such as health clubs, spas, and resorts should be allowed

4. To offer portable credentials in the event that a therapist leaves the state they received their license from and wishes to practice in another state.

RELATED - What to include on your Massage Therapist Business Cards?

What is the requirement of Regulation?
The licensing boards and bureaus within each state set their own requirements for licensure.

The state licensing for massage therapists creates a set of standards that every aspiring professional must meet. These requirements include formal education and training, as well as examination on competence in order to be eligible for recognition or certification from an organization approved by lawmakers responsible.

Legal recognition of massage therapy is necessary for the public to have confidence in those practicing this profession. The law ensures that individuals meet eligibility requirements, are qualified, and able to represent themselves as state-licensed MTs (massage therapists).

The lack of regulation in this industry has led to numerous safety issues, especially with therapists who are not properly trained and/or certified. If you're interested then please contact your state's board for more information on how they can help protect both clients' health as well as theirs!

By licensing massage therapy, we are protecting the public from unsafe practices. The standard of practice is consistent and can be enforced by an ethics code that all professionals must follow in order to maintain their license.

Furthermore, there's a formal grievance process for when someone feels they've been wrongfully accused or pressured into practicing outside what’s allowed under law-which helps prevent unethical behavior like this happens!

I am a full-time blogger. I generally write about Health & Wellness.