Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements

It is really difficult to find out just what one needs in order to get a massage license or even if you need a license to practice massage.

Each state has different requirements. There are some states that don't have any requirements at this time and some are moving towards some type of legislation in the near future. You will have to find out what is required in your state, city and county to practice massage. It will be a combination of a Professional license and a business license if you are going to set up your own business. The schools that you contact should also know what is required in your state, but many do not have complete information. You can find out more by checking the state list of massage licensing.
Certification in Massage Therapy is also something different from licensing. A massage therapist may be required by the State Licensing Board to take the National Certification Exam (NCE). Taking the NCE does not mean that you can practice in any state. Contrary to what many believe, National Certification also does not do anything to reduce massage parlors that house prostitution rings or massage therapists who cross the line with inappropriate conduct.

Licensing is also different from certification. Some states use the National Massage Therapy Exam for their requirements and some states have their own testing process. You can also be certified in a specific technique like Reiki or Structural Integration and not be able to practice legally without a professional license that may require that you go to massage school to learn basic Swedish massage and take the National Certification Exam.

A state or city business license may be needed if you are thinking of starting your own practice or working as a sub-contractor for a massage business like a spa or chiropractor. You have to contact your city and state to find out what is required to have a business license.

Licensing massage therapy is a very controversial topic and as a student your main concern is to just find out what you need to do in your city/state or wherever you are planning on practicing so that you can just start practicing.

I think it is important to become aware of the politics and the licensing and legislation issues in every state and to also research what is happening in other countries so that we can learn what is needed in order to define our profession more clearly rather than being directed by legislators who don't really know anything about massage. In each licensing section that I have listed on this site, I ask you to provide information on your state/city so that we can become more aware of how licensing and the lack of licensing is affecting our ability to start and run successful massage businesses.

To learn more about the issues involved see:

Massage Politics