Transferring Massage License From State To State

Minimum Program Requirements Effective September 1 2021

New law requires Oklahoma massage therapists to have state license

Effective September 1, 2021, the new requirements are a minimum of 625 hours to be completed in no fewer than 24 weeks and must consist of the following:

90 hours of anatomy and physiology
60 hours of kinesiology
70 hours of pathology
260 hours of theory, principles, and practice of massage
50 hours of student clinic. For those education and training programs beyond six hundred twenty-five hours, in no case may the number of student clinic hours exceed seventy-five hours.
55 hours of clinical/business practices
40 hours of professional ethics

If an applicant is enrolled in a board-approved massage program prior to September 1, 2021, they do not need to meet the new education and training requirements, even if their graduation date is after September 1, 2021.

But Reciprocity In The Massage Field Is A Little Complicated

The massage field has talked about license portability and reciprocity for years. But as of right now, no two states have identical massage licensing regulations. Most massage therapists have to navigate the licensing process in a new state, which is not always clear or without extra costs.

So, here are some tips to help make your career move less complicated.

Mist How Massage License Reciprocity Or Massage License Transfer Works

You may find licensure by endorsement in these states complicated.

Because they have a number of options and conditions to meet.

Similarly, states like Kentucky that require 600 hours may allow you to appeal to their state board for a hearing to determine if your education and experience consider adequate.

States such as Louisiana, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Washington, Virginia, New Jersey and Alaska may exempt you from providing a school transcript.

And also, national exam results if you have a license from a state that they consider to have substantially equivalent requirements.

Similarly, Arizona does not require test results or transcripts if you have licensed for at least 5 years by a state with substantially equivalent requirements.

Michigan and Ohio do not require a school transcript if you have licensed and practising in another state for at least 5 years.

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Applicants With Criminal Convictions

If you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or pleaded guilty or no-contest to any in-state, out-of-state or federal criminal offense, you must provide a completed Criminal History Questionnaire along with your application materials.

Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Licenses may be denied based on the nature of the conviction and how long prior to the application the conviction occurred. Depending on your criminal history, a review can take from one to six weeks to complete.

Individuals may request TDLR review their criminal background before actually applying for a license. TDLR uses the same process for this pre-application evaluation as the process described below. See the Criminal History Evaluation Letter page for more information.

Please see the Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions, which describe the process that TDLR uses to determine whether a criminal conviction renders an applicant an unsuitable candidate for the license, or whether a conviction warrants revocation or suspension of a license previously granted.

What Happens To Your Old Massage License

This article is geared towards my Florida transfers and what happens to your first license when you are issued a Florida massage license. And I will also answer questions about what to do about continuing education and how to get started with the process. Even if Florida is not your destination, this article should still be helpful.

The truth is, your original massage license will not automatically become invalid at midnight when you are issued your new Florida massage license. Your old massage license isnt Cinderella. As long as you pay your renewal fees and meet your renewal requirements, that license can stay active for as long as you want to keep it active or valid. If you fail to pay your renewal fees, then your license becomes delinquent, null and void, or whatever term your state uses for expired.

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Organize Your Continuing Education

You may think keeping the continuing education requirements for two states could get expensive. As someone that has multiple licenses, I can say a little organization goes a long way. Some people think if you need 24 hours for one state and 24 for another, that you will need 48 hours total. Yes, that would get expensive and time-consuming, but often, that is not the case.

Continuing education certificates are not one-time use coupons. They can be used for multiple states as long as the course is approved in your jurisdiction and taken within the renewal cycle for the license you are trying to renew.

Try to take courses that are approved by both of the boards in the states where you are trying to renew licenses.

My license in Iowa expires on April 15th of odd years. My Florida massage license expires on August 31st of odd years. I keep a sheet of paper in a binder with all of my completion certificates and a list of which courses I have taken. It looks like the below information.

Variations In Minimum Educational Hours

Most states require completion of a minimum of 500 hours of training. A few states require 600, 750, or 1,000 hours. So, what happens when a massage therapist in Texas, where the requirement is 500 hours, moves to Arizona, which requires 700 hours? It is hard to say. Every state is different.Florida, for example, makes no exceptions for training hours. An applicant must complete 500 hours of training, regardless of experience.If you do not meet the minimum hours of training for the state in which you wish to obtain a license, contact that states board office to see whether they accept applications for a variance.

Licensure Based On An Out

Before applying for licensure, please familiarize yourself with the general licensing policies.

Applicants who are currently licensed to practice therapeutic massage in another state or jurisdiction may qualify for licensure provided the applicant:

Has practiced as a massage therapist for at least 1 year immediately preceding the date of application

Has successfully completed the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards or the the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork formerly administered by the NCTMB. Please note that the National Examination for State Licensing examination formerly administered by the NCTMB examination does not satisfy the examination requirement.

Applicants must arrange for the following to be submitted directly to office from the source:

Verification directly from the appropriate authority verifying at least 1 year of practice as a massage therapist

Verification of successful completion of the MBLEx or the NCTMB examination.

Verification form sent directly from each state licensing authority where a license, registration or certification is or has ever been held. Some states may charge a fee for this service. For fee information, please contact the issuing authority prior to submitting your request.

All supporting documentation should be sent to:

Connecticut Department of Public Health

Massage Therapist License

410 Capitol Ave., MS # 12 APP

How To Transfer A Massage License To Florida

How to Renew Your Florida Massage License (2015)

I have helped a lot of massage therapists through this process, as well as gone through it myself. Transferring your license to Florida is a little more complicated than transferring a license to most other states, but by the end of this post you should have all of the links and resources you need to get your Florida massage license.

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As For The Rest Of You What Do You Need To Do

If you can, start preparing early. Your current massage license will likely be of no use once you move. The process of transferring a license can take time. So plan on it taking a few weeks, to a few months to get your new license in hand. Most people cannot afford to be without work for a few months while they wait for their license to arrive.

The first thing to do is look at the Massage Boards website where you are moving. Most do a good job of explaining what new licensees that are transferring licenses need to do. Some states do a less than decent job of explaining their process. You can always email or call the state boards to find out what needs to be done for someone in your position if the website is unclear.

Applicants Licensed In Another Jurisdiction

If you are licensed in another state, country or territory based on specific education and examination requirements, and have practiced massage therapy in that state, country or territory for at least two years, you may be eligible for licensure by endorsement.

You may be eligible for licensure by endorsement if you:

Submit a completed application for licensure to New York State and the appropriate fee

Are at least 21 years of age

Present evidence of graduation from high school or its equivalent

Have not taken and failed the New York State Massage Therapy examination

Are a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States

Have been determined by the Department to be of good moral character

Are in good standing as a licensee in each state, country or territory in which you are licensed to practice massage therapy

Received a certificate for completing a course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation within the three years prior to New York State licensure

In addition to meeting the requirements of Section A, you must satisfy the following requirements:

If you have been licensed and practiced 2 – 4 years in another state, country or territory, you must:

Meet the New York State 1,000-hour education requirement for licensure

*One year of experience is defined as 52 weeks in which massage therapy is practiced an average of 12 hours each week.

Criminal History Guidelines For Massage Therapy

Transfer a Massage License from New York to Florida

DISCLAIMER: The Division uses this matrix simply as a starting point in making its licensing or disciplinary decisions, and therefore it is provided only for general informational and guidance purposes. Every applicant and licensee is unique, with individual circumstances that may involve aggravating or mitigating or other factors, including patterns of conduct that may affect any final decision. Please consult your attorney if you have questions.

KEY:

Interview

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Do I Need To Take The Ncetmb Or Mblex Again Or Maybe For The First Time

Luckily, one time is usually enough. Now if you are moving to one of the few states that have their own exam , or only takes either the NCETMB or MBLEx , then you may need to take the exam accepted in your new state.

Rarely you will have to complete a jurisprudence exam. This is a short exam about the massage laws in the state where you are moving. This test is nothing to lose any sleep over.

Endorsement Or Examination Candidate

There are primarily two routes to licensure, endorsement and examination. It is going to be one of the first questions you are asked on your application and the one that creates the first feelings of confusion.

If you have a current/valid massage license which you obtained by completing 500 hours of education and you have passed a national licensing exam , you are an Endorsement candidate.

If you are not currently licensed, or have not yet passed a national licensing exam, you are an Examination candidate.

The routes are very similar. Both endorsement and examination candidates must complete 10 hours of Florida Law and Rules from a Florida Approved Continuing Education Provider.

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Board Of Massage Licensure

Its mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans by requiring those who practice the profession of massage therapy within this state be qualified.

Starting in 2020, the Tennessee Board of Massage will offer a Licensure Day for any school in middle TN that would like to have the Board Staff come discuss the licensure process. If you are interested please send an email to: . Please include in your email the following information: School name, location, contact person name, contact phone number, and preferred date and time. We will contact interested schools beginning in January.

As of October 1, 2019 the Tennessee Massage Board will accept letters of recommendation and the practitioner profile through e-mail, fax, and/or postal mail. All letters of recommendation must meet Tennessee Massage Board Rule 0870-01-.05 for massage therapist and Tennessee Massage Board Rule 0870-01-.06 for massage establishments. All practitioner profiles must be filled out completely with all sections answered and signed and dated. Letters of recommendation and the practitioner profile may be e-mailed to , faxed to 615-532-5164, and/or mailed to the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37218.

Definition Of Practice Of Massage Therapy

How to Obtain a Massage License Verification

The practice of the profession of massage therapy is defined as engaging in applying a scientific system of activity to the muscular structure of the human body by means of stroking, kneading, tapping and vibrating with the hands or vibrators for the purpose of improving muscle tone and circulation.

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States Without State Licenses

Wyoming, Vermont, Minnesota, Kansas, California

In states without a state licensing board.

You will not have to get a state license.

However, there may be city or county requirements to be able to practice massage.

You will have to check local laws to know what qualifications and/or documentation is required.

How Massage License Reciprocity Or Massage License Transfer Works

Some states, such as Iowa, Connecticut and Maine.

Do not have a reciprocity license but do require you to provide information on the status of your current license.

In addition to all the other information on the application.

Other states, such as Arkansas, Texas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Utah, do not have any reciprocity licenses.

You must meet the current requirements of the state to apply for a license.

Because these states specify not only the number of hours of education.

But also how those hours must distribute among different topics.

If you got your education from an out of state school.

You will have to show that your hours of training meet their laws.

This may require you submit a transcript, your school catalogue, or a form certified by your school showing the coursework.

If your school transcript does not meet their requirements.

You may require attending an in-state school for a number of hours before being granted a license.

In some cases, Arkansas may allow you to appeal to their board for licensure if you cannot produce all the documentation required.

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Minimum Program Requirements For Programs Beginning Prior To September 1 2021

The education and training in massage therapy must consist of a minimum of 500 hours to be completed in no less than six months and must consist of the following:

One hundred thirty hours of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology with a minimum of 40 hours of kinesiology.
Fifty hours of pathology.
Two hundred sixty-five hours of theory and practice of massage. A maximum of 50 of these hours may include time spent in a student clinic.
Fifty-five hours of clinical/business practices.

See WAC 246-830-430 for additional information.

Moving To An Unregulated State

Some of you may luck out. If you are moving to one of the few unregulated states, such as Minnesota, you will not need to obtain a license. But, do not forget to contact your local city/county governments. Some of these municipalities do regulate massage therapy within their jurisdictions.

If you have any questions about transferring your license, leave a comment below. I would be happy to help!

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Massage Insurance State Requirements Faqs

Massage therapists across the United States use healing therapies to bring about true benefits for the patients under their care. But even for the most experienced massage therapists giving their patients an incredible level of care – accidents can, and do, happen. Its important to understand the many different requirements that can exist for massage therapist licensure as well as massage insurance in the state where youre practicing. Crossing state lines can mean huge differences in the requirements placed on therapists. Read on as we go over some of the more frequently asked questions from therapists across these United States.

Can you be a massage therapist without massage insurance?

Massage therapist license requirements vary significantly by state. Some states do require massage therapists to carry professional liability insurance in order to obtain/renew their licenses. While not every state requires liability insurance, it is typically far cheaper to carry comprehensive massage liability insurance than to pay the costs associated with a legal claim.

An event as simple as a patient accidentally rolling off your massage table can give rise to a claim. Under Massage Magazine Insurance Plus coverage, this event would be fully covered up to $2 Million per occurrence under the General Liability provisions of the policy.