How To Become A Massage Therapist In Indiana

Which States Dont Require A Massage Therapy License

You can practice massage therapy without a license or certification in:

• Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations
• Benefits and Physiological Effects of Technique that Manipulate Soft Tissue
• Client Assessment, Reassessment, and Treatment Planning
• Overview of Massage and bodywork Modalities/Culture/History
• Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations
• Guidelines for Professional Practice

You cannot take the test until you can prove that you have completed training in all areas of the MBLEx outline. You may bypass that requirement if you can show that you graduated from an approved massage therapy school or program.

During the test, youâll have 2 hours to complete as many questions as you can. The results are graded as pass/fail.

Can You Get A Massage License Online

Some schools market themselves as 100% online, but you must complete a hands-on component to qualify for a massage license. If you prefer to receive your academic training online, you can do so, but be prepared to take your hands-on training in person. You will likely need to source a local massage therapist willing to let you apprentice with them to fulfill the hourly training requirement mandated by your state.

Apply Now For A Seat On The Indiana Massage Board

06/30/2017

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Can I Be A Massage Therapist Without A License

In most cases, the answer is no. You need a massage license to practice massage therapy. In some instances, you cannot even run a massage therapy business with a team of licensed therapists unless you are also licensed.

For example, in Washington State, you must hold a massage license to run a massage business unless you are a health care professional who holds a higher degree of medical training. Chiropractors or kinesiologists are examples of healthcare professionals who may offer massage as part of their practice without massage-specific licensure. However, there are some states in which you are not required to have a massage therapy license.

Massage Therapy Schools In Indiana: The Switch To Mandatory Licensing In Indiana

In 2017, Indiana is in the process of switching from voluntary certification of its massage therapists to mandatory licensing. One of the purposes is to curtail illegal activity sex trafficking masquerading as massage but many in the field are glad that the law will mandate competency as well as good intention. A massage therapist will need initial and continuing education.

While licensing of massage therapists is brand new in Indiana, massage therapy education is scarcely new. Indiana State began offering a massage minor 50 years ago. Its in part because the Indiana State community loves sports that they also love massage, but these days there is increasing recognition of the many health benefits of massage and a growing body of science to back it up. Indiana has well respected massage therapy schools to train the next generation.

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Massage Therapist Educational Requirements

Prospective massage therapists must complete programs of at least 500 hours. The school is to be authorized in its own jurisdiction and in good standing with its regulatory agency.

Programs may be 1) offered by institutions of higher learning 2) accredited by the State Workforce Innovation Council or 3) similarly accredited by other states. Programs located outside of Indiana are expected to meet standards comparable to in-state schools.

Educational requirements are summarized in Indiana Code § 25-21.8-4 .

Indiana State Board Of Massage Therapy

This state government office, a division of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, regulates massage therapists. It ensures that practitioners have graduated from approved schools that offer programs meeting certain educational standards.

The board investigates complaints, conducts investigations, and penalizes massage therapists who violate state laws or regulations. It requires practitioners to apply for license renewals, which entails receiving continuing education.

The governor appoints five board members, including three massage therapists who have practiced in Indiana for at least five years. The other two members represent the public.

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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.

What To Look For In A Massage Therapy School

Before you compare massage therapist programs, it helps to research licensure requirements for the state you want to practice in. That way, you can choose one of the massage therapy programs that meets the requirements and can help you get licensed to work.

As you look at massage therapist classes, consider these factors.

Also, make sure the school you attend teaches the kinds of massage youre interested in. Some schools teach a wide variety, so youre prepared to provide clients with their preferred massage method.

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How Much Will I Earn

The average annual wage of a massage therapist in Indiana was $51,998 in 2021. This is on the lower side of state earnings, with the average national salary at $53,222. Massage therapists who work in Cincinnati-Middletown earn a similar salary, with the average for this city at $45,040 annually.

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Negotiating With The Board Through An Indiana Massage Therapist License Attorney

Massage therapy is one of several professions for which the PLA oversees the licensure and complaint process. Indiana Code chapter 25-1-7 sets out the procedure for investigating and resolving such complaints for licensed professionals, including massage therapists. First, the Indiana Attorney General Consumer Protection Division is responsible for investigating complaints against licensed professionals under the PLA umbrella.

Anyone can file a complaint against a massage therapist, such as a client, a colleague, or even the State Board of Massage Therapy . However, every complaint must be in writing and signed by the person or entity filing the complaint. Upon receiving a complaint, the director of the Consumer Protection Division makes an initial determination whether it appears to have merit. If so, the director formally notifies the Board, initiating the formal process for resolving the complaint. The director also notifies the massage therapist who is the subject of the complaint of the fact that a complaint has been filed and that the Board has a duty to try to resolve it through negotiation.

Once an investigation is completed the director of the Consumer Protection Division determines whether the evidence supports the allegations and shows that the accused massage therapist should be subjected to disciplinary action by the Board. If reaching that conclusion, the director refers the complaint to the attorney general.

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Indiana Massage Licensure Changes

Did you know that the massage therapy field is changing?

When I first moved to Indiana I went through the licensing process for massage therapists and received my Indiana state license. I was previously licensed in Washington and North Carolina and provided those in addition to the long checklist of requirements. When talking to individuals on the internet about it, there seemed to be a lot of confusion about whether we were licensed or certified? This confused me quite a bit, as I knew my license had been processed through the Professional Licensing Agency of Indiana. It turned out that both were actually correct and didnt know it!

In Indiana therapists were allowed to be either certified or licensed but both had different regulations. Certified therapists could not work independently from an office with an overseeing doctor or medical practitioner like a chiropractor in many cities including Hammond. They werent required to pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam , didnt need to take continuing education and couldnt transfer their certificate out of state. All Certification required was an individual to graduate from a state approved school program.

Why does this matter? If you are a therapist, it matters to you wish to keep working in the field. Knowing the standards and scope of practice and the expectations of a licensee are important in maintaining a license in good standing and its important to know what it takes to do that.

Minimum Education Requirements For Massage Therapy Programs In Indiana

To become a massage therapist in Indiana, a student needs a high school diploma or GED. The next step is to attend an accredited school with a program that complies with state criteria. The curriculum must total at least 625 clock hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction.Typical coursework includes anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, massage history and theory, business practices, ethics, and laws and regulations. Schools vary in the types of massage techniques and other therapies their programs cover.After graduating, a prospective massage therapist needs a state license to practice in Indiana. One of the licensure requirements is to pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination . Test registration, which involves a large fee, is available on the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards website.The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions addressing client assessment, treatment plans, benefits and physiological effects of massage techniques, pathology with contraindications, treatment for special populations, ethics, laws and regulations.Students register for the MBLEx with Pearson VUE. They use computers to take the exam at testing centers in Indianapolis, Merrillville, and Evansdale.

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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 .

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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What Is A Massage Therapist

As mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healthcare in Kokomo IN that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manipulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and relieve tension and pain in their patients. Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when discussing massage therapy, and most massage therapy schools teach it as their primary form of massage. However, there are many other types of massage that programs may or may not include within their course of instruction. Following are just a few examples.

• Neuromuscular Therapy Massage
• Hot Stone Massage
• Pregnancy Massage

Professionals that work in massage therapy in Kokomo IN should be referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these terms generally carry a negative connotation among the general public and professionals alike and should be avoided.

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

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Becoming A Massage Therapist

Considering a career in massage therapy? The first step is career exploration. You may want to get some experience helping people, perhaps in a volunteer capacity. You may also want to read profiles of massage therapists on sites like the American Massage Therapy Association .

Youll likely want to familiarize yourself with your state massage board even before you enroll in classes this is to ensure that the program you choose will meet licensing or certification requirements.

Massage Therapist Training Requirements

Most schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can range in length from several months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as two years for an Associates Degree. The lengths of the programs will also vary by State based on the number of hours required for licensing. Another factor that may also influence the program length is whether classes are offered in Kokomo IN during the day or in the evening. Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferable into a related Bachelors Degree Program. Once you have received your Certificate or Degree, the education does not end there. The amount and type of continuing education you will need to complete will depend on the State where you are licensed. Some states require both a certain number of hours of continuing education as well as specific education in subjects such as HIPAA compliance or ethics.

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What Is Training Like For Massage Therapists

In order to become a massage therapist, you should possess a high school diploma and attend a massage therapy training program that can help prepare you for state certification.1

The training programs may include courses on anatomy and physiology, hygiene and infection control, business practices and state laws, and of course, various massage techniques. You should choose a program that includes both education and hands-on training or an externship.

Types Of Penalties That A Massage Therapist May Face From The Board

For all prosecuted complaints, the massage therapist is entitled to a hearing before the Board or an administrative law judge . If, after the hearing results, the Board finds that the evidence supports the allegations, it may impose one or more of the following disciplinary consequences on the massage therapist:

• Revoking the massage therapists license
• Suspending the massage therapists license
• Censuring the message therapist
• Placing the massage therapist on probation
• Assessing a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 against the massage therapist
• Ordering the massage therapist to pay restitution to the person who suffered damage

In addition to one or more of these penalties, discipline of any type can cause irreparable damage to a massage therapists reputation and business. Thats why working with one of the massage therapist license attorneys at Keffer Hirschauer LLP is vital to protecting your future.

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The State Of Indiana Massage Therapist Requirements

Throughout the 36,418 square miles of The Hoosier State, approximately 3,831 massage therapists work to help the more than 6.7 million people in their state find relief from pain, rehabilitation from injuries, and comfort in the midst of stress and anxiety.

With 864,447 people in Indianapolis, 265,752 people in Fort Wayne, and 118,588 people in Evansville, massage therapists who work in Indiana can find an engaged environment to open, continue, or join a massage therapy business.

Whats The Difference Between A Massage Therapist And A Masseuse

A massage therapist is a licensed massage professional who has gone through a lot of training and thorough examination. A masseuse is a French term that refers to a female massage practitioner. A male massage practitioner would be a masseur. These terms are rarely used in America today to describe someone who practices massage.

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Considering The Perspectives Of National Standard Setters

Prospective students may want to give particular attention to massage therapy schools that have been reviewed by other organizations at the national level. This may enhance mobility as well as serving as an extra validation of program quality.

Nine schools have been assigned testing codes by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork . Students who complete NCBTMB-assigned schools will be able to test for adjunct board certification. If their program was less than 750 hours, though, theyll need to take some extra classes before they qualify for certification. Board certification notably does not replace Indiana licensing or licensing in any other state where it is mandatory. In an age where almost all states license, third party certification has been redesigned as a way of signaling practitioners who have a higher level of expertise.

Accreditation is separate. A massage therapy school may or may not hold a recognized national accreditation. National accreditation is more important in some states than others. Accreditation by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation is most closely associated with massage therapy education than any other .