Complete A Background Check Via Live Scan
I have previously used Live Scan fingerprinting for one of my state massage licenses . Here are some tips:
- Your Live Scan print must be done in California. This differs from most other states fingerprinting requirements.
- You cannot re-use prints taken for previous licenses in other states.
- The cost of a fingerprinting and background check ranges from $60 to $100.
- Here is a list of approved California Live Scan provider locations.
- NOTE from CAMTC: Local Police and Sheriff stations may be more experienced in securing legible fingerprints from massage professionals with thin or worn ridges in the pattern area. When Florida enacted its fingerprinting requirement the above problem was a real struggle for massage therapists. Many had to complete their prints multiple times.
Fingerprinting Steps
CAMTC applicants must complete and submit a Massage Therapist Request for Live Scan Service form.
The Live Scan service provider will fill out the section at the bottom of the page and keep the original.
It typically takes 72 hours for results to get to CAMTC from the DOJ.
What Do You Need To Become A Massage Therapist
In New Jersey, massage therapists will need to have completed an approved course of study thats accredited or approved by one of the following agencies: the NJ Department of Education, the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, or the NJ Commission on Higher Education. An applicant will need at least 500 hours completed by an accredited program and then pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards . The State of New Jersey also requires proof of massage therapy liability insurance coverage.
We Admit It We Like To Show Off
All NHI California Massage Therapy Schools host special events every month to share what we have to offer and create spaces for community, learning and fun to come together.
Check us out in person at an upcoming campus event near you. Get a feel for massage therapy training at a no-cost sampler class, workshop,open house or book a personal tour. Sampler classes and workshops are typically up to three hours long and focus on a special area of interest. This format allows you an opportunity to receive treatments and learn hands-on from experienced massage therapy professionals. Examples of topics covered include:
- Intro to Swedish Massage
- Shiatsu Massage
- Interactive Aromatherapy Sampler ClassAnd Much More!
Classes and workshops vary month-to-month and by campus. All NHI Events are complimentary and open to anyone interested in learning and expanding their understanding of massage therapy.
Join us for a special event or book a campus tour today and well be more than happy to show you around. In addition to experiencing our student clinic facilities you can sit down with an Admissions Advisor and Financial Aid Specialist to explore your best career path and potential funding options.
The best way to find out whats coming up at the NHI Campus near you is to fill out the form below.
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Why Become A Massage Therapist
Massage therapists are in high demand these days.1
The BLS attributes massage therapist job growth to a few factors. One is that more states are requiring licensing and other standards in order for massage therapists to practice. This adds to the legitimacy of massage therapist work, which makes people more likely to seek out massage for wellness.
Another reason for the growth of massage therapy jobs is that physicians are increasingly recommending massages to their patients care plans. In some countries around the world, like in Australia, remedial massage is even covered by health insurance.2 As massages health care reputation increases, its also expected to be a more popular and more widely available form of treatment.
Best States to Work as a Massage Therapist
The following are the states with the highest employment levels for massage therapists as of May 2020, according to the BLS, along with employment data.4 These estimates do not include self-employed massage therapists, which the BLS reports make up the largest employment source for massage therapy, with 38% of massage therapists working as self-employed workers.5
| State |
| 4,440 |
Month Massage Therapy Career Training Program With Classes Online And On
Massage Therapy has become the most widely used complementary care modality in the United States. More and more people turn to massage to treat injury, reduce pain and ease stress.
Whether youre just starting out, ready to make a career change, or perhaps looking for a second source of income, you owe it to yourself to consider your potential as a Massage Therapist. If youre a compassionate, intuitive person interested in holistic healing, helping others, and working in a clinical setting, becoming a professional bodyworker is a great choice for a rewarding career with a great job outlook!
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Complete State Licensing Requirements
In order to legally practice massage therapy in the United States, you must obtain state licensure. In most cases, this means you must complete a state approved massage therapy training program.
In order to become licensed, you will have to apply for licensure in your home state. Licensing requirements vary by state, but most require that you:
- Be at least 18 years old and of good moral character.
- Have proof of completion of a state approved education program.
- Submit an online application for licensure, pay the fee, and pass the background check.
- Pass the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork .
This process can take between three and six months to complete.
The state licensing boards are responsible for approving massage therapy training programs, so it is best to choose one that has been reviewed and approved by your state.
You can find a list of massage therapy schools & programs recognized by your state by visiting the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards website.
Get the Best Massage Chairs of 2022 by clicking here.
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Complete All Practical Requirements
Practical requirements for massage therapists vary depending on state laws, but they generally revolve around a high school diploma, maintaining a minimum GPA throughout a program that lasts at least six months full time, or 12 months part-time .
Apprenticeship experience may also be required for experience working on real clients. Youll learn about different massage techniques and concepts during this stage, including orthopedics, trigger points, and palpation techniques.
You may also pursue specialty areas like Swedish massage, aromatherapy, oriental medicine, acupuncture, and sports massage. Graduates will then be eligible to take and pass an approved massage therapy exam.
The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination , administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards , is one of the most commonly accepted exams within the United States, though the National Certification Examination, administered by the Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork , is also widely recognized.
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Massage Therapy Is A Growing Career Field
As stated above, massage therapy is growing quite rapidly at the moment, this implies that more job opportunities will open up and on the rise as professional certified massage therapists continue to be in demand.
What do most massage therapists consider to as good benefit of the profession?
- Flexibility: the ability to plan your work, for a good work/life balance, thus, you can work as much or as little as you choose.
- Opportunity to own your business, become self-employed.
- Also, you can have a formal day-job, maybe in a hotel or spa or other businesses that will give you employee benefits and paid time off.
Summarily, massage therapy is one of very few professions where you get both full-time salaried employment options in addition to freelance or self-employment.
Requirements For All Applicants
- Beat least 18 years of age or have received a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma.
- Determine the correct method of application:
- If you do not hold an active massage therapist license in another state, or if you hold an active license which did not require you to graduate from a course of study of 500 or more clock hours, you will need to apply by examination.
- If you do hold a massage therapist license in another state which required you to complete a course of study of 500 or more clock hours as a requirement of licensing, you will likely apply You will be required to pass an approved examination if the state you are endorsing from did not require you to take an examination for licensing.
- Additional requirements for examination and endorsement methods can be found below.
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Complete A Therapeutic Massage Program
If you have a high school diploma and an interest in massage, youre qualified to enter a Massage Therapy program. Typically, a diploma in Massage Therapy takes around 15 months and can be completed at a vocational or career training college.
At IBMC College, the Therapeutic Massage diploma program can be completed in as little as 10 months. Thats because the college is career-focused and doesnt require fluff classes that dont relate to Massage Therapy. Students can skip the extra courses in unrelated subjects required by many community colleges.
Your program of study should include courses like anatomy and physiology, therapeutic massage, and clinical massage applications. Be sure to ask your admissions representative what classes are required for graduation from the program.
Where Can I Study
The California Massage Therapy Council provides information on CMTC school approval to help future LMTs choose the right school to complete their 500 required hours.
To help you get started, below are a couple of popular schools for massage therapy in California.
- National Holistic Institute: Living their mission statement to help people have work they love, this school takes time to get to know each student so they can better understand how to help them through their journey as a professional massage therapist. As a respected and nationally accredited massage therapy school, students will receive hands-on experience and quality feedback from clients.
- Alhambra Medical University: Believing in working together to better community, the world, and themselves, this school provides rigorous training for students. Because of the high demand for those skilled in Asian Body Work therapy, students will be provided with job opportunities for licensed massage and bodywork practitioners.
Other education options include Everest College and Esalen Institute.
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Additional Requirements For Endorsement Applicants
Requirements for Endorsement Applicants
- Hold an active license in another state with licensing requirements equivalent to or exceeding those required for a license in Florida. Staff will attempt to verify your license during application processing. Additional documentation may be requested if the equivalency of education or examination requirements cannot be determined.
- Complete a ten-hour Florida Laws and Rules course with an approved CE provider.Approved courses and providers can be found by visiting cebroker.com.
How To Become A Certified Massage Therapist In California
Looking for information to obtain a massage license, or get certified, in California?
Legally working as a massage therapist in California is different than any other state. Whether you are a current massage therapist moving to California, or a resident looking for a massage program, sorting through regulations can be challenging and time-consuming.
I am going to cover the current regulations in California and break down the requirements into simple steps. Soon, you will know everything you need to do, or not do, in order to work as a massage professional in the state.
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California Massage Therapy Council
This agency administers a voluntary certification system for massage facilities and practitioners. It sanctions and regulates schools, and ensures that students receive the proper education.
Providers of massage therapy instruction that earn the councils recognition must maintain their status by continually proving they meet standards concerning curricula, faculty qualifications, student-to-instructor ratios, and other standards. Officials do site visits and conduct interviews as part of their investigations.
The council mandates that prospective therapists complete their studies, pass a written exam, and submit to a criminal background check before applying for certification.
Complete Application And Pay Fees
Here is the CAMTC Application Link. The fee for the application and certification is $150. This will increase $50 in 2019.
How long does the certification process take?
CAMTC states the process takes approximately ninety days for complete applications that have no background or educational issues.
Once I am certified, do I need to recertify?
Yes. CAMTC certification is only for a two-year period. You must apply for recertification every two years.
There are no continuing education requirements required to recertify. The cost to recertify is $150. This will increase $50 in 2019.
If your certification has lapsed for more than six months, you will need to apply as a new applicant, including submitting new livescan fingerprints and meet the current educational standards and exam requirement.
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What Are The Best Massage Therapy Schools In California
In California, the first step toward starting a career as a massage therapist usually begins with enrolling in a state-approved massage school.
Before becoming licensed, students must complete at least 650 hours of massage therapy training and obtain an associates degree or diploma from an approved institution.
If you want to become a massage therapist in California, you must graduate from an accredited massage school. Below are some of the best massage therapy schools in California and related programs near you.
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.
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California Massage Certification Is Voluntary
As someone thinking about entering this vocation, you might wonder how to become a licensed massage therapist in California. It’s definitely an important aspect to consider. But here’s the simple bottom line: State-level certification is purely voluntary. Earning it, however, can have a lot of benefits. And if you don’t earn it, you still might need some form of local permit or authorization to practice massage in the town or city you work in.
What are the benefits of getting state certification? One of the main advantages is the extra respect it can provide among potential clients, employers, and others in the massage industry. Also, it gives you the freedom to practice massage therapy anywhere in California without having to get any other permits for it from local municipalities.
Becoming a Certified Massage Therapist in this state primarily requires:
- Successfully completing a minimum of 500 hours of education from a school approved by the California Massage Therapy Council
- Passing one of two examseither the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards or the Board Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Can You Be A Massage Therapist Without A License
Having a massage therapist license prominently displayed for clients to see isn’t just about compliance, though. It helps build trust with new customers and establishes a professional environment where they can truly relax. Since certification and licensure requires extensive classroom work and hands-on experience in many areas of the country, even new massage therapists who are licensed have a great deal of experience working with clients.
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Penalty For Practicing Massage Without A License
Depending on the state, there may be a criminal penalty for practicing massage without a license in areas where certification or licensure is required by law.
For example, in Florida, a practicing massage therapist without a license could be sentenced to up to one year in jail. In Oklahoma, even advertising services using the word “massage” without a valid massage license is a misdemeanor. In the state of New York, practicing massage without a license is a felony.
Penalties vary widely by state. It’s important to understand the exact rules about licensure as well as the penalties for failing to follow the rules.
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.
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Being A Massage Therapist In California
There are other things to consider about becoming a massage therapist in California. You may wonder, how much money can I make being a massage therapist? The average massage therapist in California makes just under $22 an hour. Salaries can range greatly depending on how often you work and the amount of gratuities you receive. Some massage therapists can make up to $40 an hour.
You may also want to consider purchasing your own massage table and other equipment for yourself and for clients. If you are employed by a spa or salon, its important to ask about the type of equipment they will provide and what you will need to provide for yourself. Once you have the equipment necessary and you are knowledgeable about the certification process, you are ready to start working as a massage therapist in California!