Massage Education And Exam Requirements
In all other states, massage therapists are required to get a license in the state where they’ll practice. Licensure requirements differ from one state to the next, but typically include 500 to 650 hours of massage education. Failure to do so means a massage therapist could face penalties associated with practicing massage without a license
Passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam is another common requirement. Here are the components of this standard test:
- 12%: Anatomy and Physiology
- 13%: Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations
- 14%: Benefits and Physiological Effects of Technique that Manipulate Soft Tissue
- 17%: Client Assessment, Reassessment, and Treatment Planning
- 5%: Overview of Massage and bodywork Modalities/Culture/History
- 15%: Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations
- 13%: Guidelines for Professional Practice
The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards administers and oversees the test. It’s available in Spanish and English at high-security testing centers throughout the country. Every five to seven years, the test is revised and updated to reflect current practices and knowledge within the industry.
Before a massage therapist can take the test, they must prove that they completed training in all areas of the MBLEx outline or that they graduated from an approved massage therapy program. There are 100 multiple choice questions on the test. Test takers have two hours to complete the exam and results are issued as pass/fail.
Diamond Light School Of Massage And Healing Arts
Current Rating: 4.9/5
The Diamond Light Massage Therapist program is highly regarded as one of the BEST massage therapy schools in California. You can start with the entry-level massage therapist course consisting of 100-hours and then move into the advanced massage therapy program to prepare you for the MBLEx exam. In TOTAL, the advanced massage therapy program is 500-hours long. The Diamond Light Massage Therapy program/school has been accredited by the California Massage Therapy Council .
To learn more about the training and courses covered, please visit the following Diamond Light Professional Bodywork Therapist Certification Course
Admission Requirements:
The Background Check Process
Applicants must have fingerprint-based criminal background checks carried out by the California Department of Justice and the FBI. Applicants begin by making two copies of the Request for Live Scan Service form. They then take the forms to a Livescan vendor. One form will eventually be sent to CAMTC the other is retained for the applicants records.
Fees will vary by vendor. CAMTC reports that the vendor fee and the background check fees should total $80 to $90. CAMTC refers applicants to the Department of Justice for a list of fingerprinting sites .
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Can You Make Good Money As A Massage Therapist
According to the BLS, massage therapists earn a median annual salary of $43,620, with the lowest 10 percent of earners making around $22,500 per year and the top 10 percent more than $79,150.
The top pay states for massage therapists are Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. Additionally, it is not uncommon for massage therapists to take on private clients as independent contractors for supplemental income.
How Can I Become A Therapist
Its wonderful to hear that youre considering a career in counseling or psychotherapy. It appears that the next logical step for you would be to earn a masters degree in psychology. This qualification may be obtained from a wide variety of respected schools and universities all around the world. A rating of these programs may be found in this section.
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The State Of California Massage Therapist Requirements
Throughout the 163,696 square miles of The Golden State, approximately 52,931 massage therapists work to help the more than 39.5 million people in their state find relief from pain, rehabilitation from injuries, and comfort in the midst of stress and anxiety.
With 3,928,864 people in Los Angeles, 1,381,069 people in San Diego, and 1,021,795 people in San Jose, massage therapists who work in California can find an engaged environment to open, continue, or join a massage therapy business.
Convenient Morning Afternoon & Evening Schedules
This program is designed to fit the needs of busy adult learners. We understand the lives our students lead, and how important it is to have balance. Many students are working, taking care of family and/or juggling other commitments while they attend school. Choose the schedule that best fits your lifestyle.
- The full-time program can be completed in 8 months
- The part-time program can be completed in 10 months or 12 months
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Faq On Earning Your License In Massage Therapy
Change in Employment : 12.60%
Amount:
The American Massage Therapy Association estimates that there are currently between 300,000 and 350,000 massage therapists around the country. And this number is only going to increase in the coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there will be a 26 percent increase in employment between 2016 and 2026, which is significantly faster growth than the average of all other occupations. This demand for massage therapists can be attributed to the fact that more and more health providers are incorporating massage into their treatment plans. Also, many massage clinic franchises have recently opened in the United States, allowing people to get massage at more affordable rates than they would at spas.
There are several factors that influence what school massage students choose. Whether they are concerned about the length of the program, taking courses online versus on campus, or the amount of tuition, students need to compare programs before making a decision. The search tool below can help.
Benefits Of Massage Therapy
The options are endless when it comes to where you can work as a massage therapist. If you are someone who isnt into the 9 to 5 work day, massage therapy may be a great option for you. Massage therapists can choose to open their own practice and work with their own clients, but can also work in spas, wellness clubs, and other types of health clinics. For many people, the idea of having flexibility throughout your career is attractive and can keep the day to day exciting.
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Why The Certification Is Important
As we said, the certification is not currently required. However, laws have been added in most of Californias municipalities that incorporate CAMTC certification into their requirements, making it clear that a change could be coming in the near future. In addition, most employers will require it, making it an important addition to your career portfolio. There are a few important regulations that you will want to be aware of before making the decision not to get certified.
Indiana’s Title Protection Law
Those who would like to claim the title of a massage therapist in the state of Indiana must meet the requirements of “title protection.”
This means that anyone can practice massage without a license in the state, but they aren’t allowed to call themselves a massage therapist without first getting an Indiana state certification.
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What Is The Difference Between A Massage Practitioner And A Massage Therapist
Massage practitioners usually must go through the same licensure process as massage therapists unless specific exemptions apply. The difference is that practitioners complete fewer training hours than therapists and usually do not have the same continuing education requirements.
Terms can be used interchangeably in the massage world sometimes. Technically, therapists can use the term âpractitionerâ to describe themselves, but practitioners cannot give themselves the title of “therapist” in their business, as they have not achieved the level of training to qualify them as either a certified massage therapist or a licensed massage therapist .
Can I Become A Licensed Massage Therapist Online
Currently, there are no schools that offer massage therapy programs in California exclusively online. Given the nature of the profession, most state massage therapy boards require some kind of hands-on training before massage therapists can practice body mechanics on real clients.
The California Massage Therapy Council issues certifications to massage professionals that meet state requirements, but these are strictly voluntary.
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Southern California Health Institute
Current Rating: 4.3/5
The Southern California Health Institute has just implemented a new massage therapy program allowing students to learn online from the safety of their homes. The entire program is nine months long and utilizes videoconferencing and interactive technology platforms for the lecture, etc. The structure of this massage therapy program in California focuses on providing graduates with the foundation they need to EXCEL in the field of massage therapy. Not only that, but graduates from the Southern California Health Institute are ELIGIBLE to write the MBLEX exam, to become a certified massage therapist through the California Massage Therapy Council
Admission Requirements:
High School Diploma, G.E.D or equivalency
18 years of age or older
Legal resident or citizen of the United States
No felony convictions or convictions related to drug and/or sex crimes.
Program Tuition and Cost:
Phone: 980-8990
What Is The Difference Between A Cmt And An Lmt
CMTs are certified through an educational body such as a massage therapy program or school, whereas LMTs are licensed through the state government. LMTs often engage in the most rigorous training and must fulfill certain continuing education credits throughout their time in practice to maintain their license.
States such as Delaware differentiate between LMTs and CMTs and allow both, with different requirements. However, many states mandate licensure through the state government, so be sure to check your specific stateâs requirements when determining which educational path to take.
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Browse All Massage Therapy Schools In California
For School Owners
Don’t see your school listed? Want to discuss becoming a featured school in the directory? Contact us to learn more.
2822 F Street Suite HBakersfield, CA 93301
731 West Shaw Avenue Suite AClovis, CA 93612
75-030 Gerald Ford Drive Suite 203Palm Desert, CA 92211
19401 South Vermont Avenue Suite G100Torrance, CA 90502
Energetic Healing Certification ~ 110 Hours
Learn powerfully effective methods for catalyzing profound change within yourself and others. This course is a transformational journey into the subtle, energetic, emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing. Classes includes deep meditation and intuitive inner exploration, as well as traditional and innovative subtle energy healing modalities from a variety of disciplines.
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How Long Does It Take To Become A Counselor In California
If you are starting from scratch, the biggest factors influencing how long it takes to become a counselor in California will be your education and experience. You will have to complete a masters or another doctorate program that includes at least six practicum or field study units. This typically takes several years. Following this, you have to gain 3,000 hours of supervised experience spread out over at least two years.
From your undergraduate degree to your doctorate, you may spend as long as 10 years to become a licensed counselor. It can take less time than this, especially if you already have an undergraduate degree or relevant doctorate when you decide to become a counselor. But you cannot take any shortcuts with the practical experience requirements.
When confirming a therapist license, ensure that you are using the proper lookup as there are several other roles with therapist in the name that have their own lookups. For example, you will not find a physical therapist license California holder or an LPCC in a California massage license lookup.
Get Your 3000 Hours To Graduate
Finally, to your advanced clinical massage therapy program, you need 3,000 hours of practice. All of this will come throughout your program and practicum. As you can imagine, this means youre getting a LOT of hands-on experience during the program. Massage therapy courses at MaKami combine book smarts and clinical hours where you work with actual clients!
At MaKami College, everything you need to be a massage therapist is accomplished in the program. Ready to get started? Fill out that eligibility form above!
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How Many Hours Do You Need To Become A Massage Therapist In California
To get certified as a massage therapist in the state of California, you must complete a combined total of 500 hours of classroom and clinical instruction. One hundred of the five hundred hours must be devoted to studying topics such as anatomy, physiology, health, and hygiene. The 100-hour minimum requirement also includes time spent participating in business training programs.
San Francisco School Of Massage & Bodywork
Current Rating: 4.9/5
With a rating of 4.9/5, the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork offers one of the BEST massage therapy programs in California. The complete program is 600-hours and is structured to provide students with flexible schedules to take courses at their PREFERRED times. The San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork is approved by the California Massage Therapy Council and California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education . Some of the core courses covered are Swedish Massage, Body Mechanics, Massage Theory, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Anatomy and Physiology, and more! With that said,
The program also satisfies the criteria for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam . After successful completion, graduates will be ELIGIBLE to sit for the REGIONAL/STATE examinations.
Admission Requirements:
To apply, STUDENTS MUST must schedule a personal interview.
All qualified students need to be over the age of 18 and must possess at least a high school diploma or its equivalent
SFSM does not accept Ability to Benefit Students
Acceptance to the school will be determined based on the results of the applicants written questionnaire and personal interview with the schools Admissions Representative.
Have the ability to read, write, and understand English
Program Tuition and Cost:
475 Valencia Street 3rd FloorSan Francisco, CA 94103
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How Long Does It Take To Become A Sports Massage Therapist
Attending a massage therapy program at a vocational school might also get you started on the path to becoming a sports massage therapist. You will need to attend both formal classes and a significant number of practical training sessions in order to do this. Depending on the sort of program that you enroll in, a vocational training course might take anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
What Does It Mean To Be A Certified Massage Therapist
When I was attending massage school, California was one of the only states that did not have state-wide legislature that regulated the industry. At the time, each city in California had their own set of requirements on who could open a massage business. Just to give you an idea, in the state of New York, massage therapists must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of training. In contrast, the City of Atascadero didnt even require proof of professional training, which opened a door for inappropriate behavior in the industry.
Thankfully, in 2009, the California Massage Therapy Council was created to regulate the massage industry in order to protect the public by certifying qualified and ethical massage professionals in California.
When I first moved my practice out to San Luis Obispo in 2010, they required 200 hours of education in order to be approved for a business license. Things are changing though and this option is being phased out throughout the state. Soon, everyone who wants to practice massage legally, must be state certified.
There are two levels of certification in California: practitioner and therapist. A practitioner is someone with 250 hours of training whereas a massage therapist must have 500 hours of training, or 250 hours of training and proof that he or she passed a state approved exam. Soon, the option of being a practitioner will also be phased out and anyone administering massage therapy must meet the latter set of requirements.
Sloco Health + Wellness
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Best Massage Therapy Schools In California
You have decided to become a massage therapist and are searching for a HIGH-QUALITY training program to GAIN the necessary knowledge and skills to EXCEL as a massage therapist. As you begin to research the various schools/programs, it is ESSENTIAL to ensure that each of them meets the STATE board requirements to make you ELIGIBLE for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination . Not only that, but you also want to ensure that the massage therapist program will provide you with the confidence you need to GROW in your career and provide you with the foundation to transition into other progressive job roles.
With that said, the STATE of California has several high-quality programs to choose from, making your final choice overwhelming. To assist you in your journey, we have researched some of the BEST massage therapy programs in California. With that said, all of these programs have also been accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation and the California Massage Therapy Council .
Get Small Business Insurance
Small business insurance is especially important for massage therapists since you have so much hands-on contact with your clients and might be treating people who are already injured.
Make sure that youâre properly covered for any risk to keep both your business and your clients safe. To get specifics on your stateâs insurance requirements, we have a state-by-state breakdown of the most popular kinds of small business insuranceâall in plain English, of course. You already know the names of every muscle in the jaw you don’t need to be fluent in legalese, too.
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Do You Need A License To Do Massage Therapy In California
- In the state of California, where massage therapy is practiced, state licensing is optional, which means that massage therapy can be performed by unlicensed individuals.
- However, in order to become a practitioner or therapist, one must still complete either 250 or 500 hours of training, respectively.
- You have the opportunity to become certified via the California Massage Therapy Council, if that is something that interests you .