What You Need to Know About Getting a Massage License

In the US,massage therapy is regulated by each state and in cases such as California- every city and town have different regulations.

In each state there are specific licensing requirements that usually include some kind of test which often is the National Certification Exam which is provided by the National Certification Board of Massage and Bodywork. But just because there is a national exam does not mean you can take it in one state and then move to another state and just open your business. Each state may require different educational requirements. You need to check with each state as to what the requirements are.

To be able to practice massage therapy, you may also be required to get a business license in your city or town which is different than a state license.

I know it is very confusing. It is one of the reasons there are so many political problems in the massage profession. Each state defines massage in a different way. Some are licensed as health care professionals, others just as professionals. The difference will have an influence on whether or not a massage therapist will be able to bill insurance companies.

There is also a new agency that is now forming that will be making a new test and it is unknown what will happen to the NCE exam. The Federation of Massage Boards has been started by Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals to do a survey and find out what is really best for the profession.

There are some important things you need to ask of any massage school that you are thinking of attending:

- what are the licensing requirements here?
- does your school fill all of the requirements?
- Is your school accredited and if so, by whom?
- Are your teachers qualified to teach massage or are they just massage therapists teaching? (there is a difference)
- Will you teach me how to start and run a business or find a job?
- Do you have peer supervision groups set up to help support me in the process?

There are many other things to consider when searching for a massage school and I have more information on my website.