Education Requirements for a Career in Massage Therapy

In order to become a licensed massage therapist, you will need to meet the requirements of your state. Although the specifics vary from state to state, most require at least 500 hours of education and many require an exam.

During your education, you will learn about muscle groups, different types of massage, massage ethics and other information that is important to being a successful masseuse. You will also get the opportunity to apply your knowledge under the guidance of an experienced massage therapist.

Upon completion of most massage programs, you will have a diploma or certificate in massage therapy. You might still be required to take an exam to be certified by the state you want to work in. The most commonly used test is provided by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). You can find study aids at their website.

Often states will require massage therapists to take continuing education courses (CEU) to remain certified. The classes keep your skills up to date and help you continue to improve your skills as a masseuse. You can find a NCBTMB approved list of CEU providers on their website.

If you have specific questions about the requirements for a massage therapy career in your state, chart will help you find the massage requirements in your state.

To learn more about licensing for other beauty-related programs in your state, visit our State Beauty License Requirements page.