Massage therapy uses the power of touch, oils and your hands to provide natural healing remedies to patients' bodies. When you enroll at one of these massage schools in Arizona, you can train to become a licensed massage therapist. As home of the Grand Canyon, gorgeous scenery and exciting cities like Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona pulls in a big tourist trade, which means big opportunities for spas and resorts.
Many massage therapists in Arizona work part-time or operate their own business out of their home or rented massage room at a salon or spa. If you're good with your hands, enjoy working with people and have an entrepreneurial spirit, this may be the right field for you. Arizona massage schools have programs that can get you trained and certified with the skills you need to work with patients.
If you are enrolled in the massage therapy program expect to complete at least 700 hours of education learning to perform a number of massage techniques. Arizona massage therapy schools require part of these education hours to be practicum hours under the supervision of licensed massage therapists. All massage therapists in Arizona must be licensed by the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy and certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Arizona uses the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) for licensure purposes. As long as all the steps are completed successfully, the student becomes a licensed massage therapist. Massage therapists in Arizona must complete 25 hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain their license. These can include topics such as additional massage techniques, reflexology, aromatherapy, acupressure, polarity therapy, business practices and marketing.
Arizona massage therapists learn to promote the health and wellness of citizens of the state through the use of therapeutic touch and their knowledge of anatomy and body work. As a student at an Arizona massage therapy school you will learn to give each client individualized health care through the use of various massage techniques. You will also learn about everything from legal and ethical issues to anatomy and physiology. Some of the most popular types of massage to learn are Swedish massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy, hot stone massage and pregnancy massage. Arizona massage therapy schools expect the highest level of professionalism from their graduates. Arizona massage therapy schools require students to be 18 years old and to have a high school diploma or GED.
As an Arizona licensee, you must renew your license every two years by your birthday. Beauty licenses cost $60 to renew. Arizona does not currently require you to complete continuing education hours to renew your license, though CEUs (Continu-ing Education Units) are one of the best ways to learn about changes in the cosmetology industry.
Salaries for Arizona massage therapists can range from $17,750 to $69,580 per year before tips according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field of massage therapy in Arizona is expected to grow by 20% by 2020. Arizona is home to many resorts and spas so the job market for licensed massage therapists is likely to remain high in the state.
The Phoenix/Mesa/Glendale Arizona metropolitan area is ranked 4th in the nation for employment of massage therapists. Trained and certified Arizona massage therapists can enjoy working in a variety of settings in the beautiful, warm and sunny Southwest. Consider one of these accredited Arizona massage therapy schools to start working towards a career in a state full of sunshine.
Arizona Board of Massage Therapy 1400 West Washington, Suite 300 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Phone: 602-542-8604 Fax: 602-542-8804 Email: info@massageboard.az.gov It is important and necessary to be a part of professional organizations when being a massage therapist because it is required to practice in the state of Arizona, but it is a great way to network with other message therapists. Below are just a couple of the message therapist associations in Arizona:
