Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

• Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
• Asian Bodywork Therapy
• Somatic Bodywork

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Post-secondary training, plus work experience

Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary education program of 500 or more hours of study and experience, although standards and requirements vary greatly by state or other locality.

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Additional Information

Training and education are increasingly required in the profession as massage therapists struggle for greater recognition from both the medical community and the public.

"For anyone who desires to make a livelihood from this trade, I would recommend attending a training program of 1,000 hours or more," says Kevin Lunney. He is a certified therapist in Boulder, Colorado.

"It takes a program of that length for a therapist to develop enough to continue personal improvements through private work."

Massage therapy programs vary in length, but more programs than not require about two years of full-time study. For the most part, schools that offer massage instruction are private.

After successfully completing an appropriate training program, a massage therapist must be licensed in order to work. Therapists earn a license by proving that they have enough education and competency to work in the field.

Requirements for licensing vary from place to place. Contact your local massage therapy association for details.

Some therapists may choose to become certified and join a professional association. Certification gives special recognition to massage therapists who have mastered a specific body of knowledge and skills.

There are several licensing bodies in the U.S.

Extra Requirements

Most states regulate massage therapy and require massage therapists to have a license or certification and although not all states license massage therapy, they may have regulations at the local level. In states with massage therapy regulations, workers must get a license or certification before practicing massage therapy. State regulations typically require graduation from an approved massage therapy program and passing an exam. The exam may be a state-specific exam or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) licensure exam, offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

For additional information, visit these websites:

• http://www.fsmtb.org
• http://www.ncbtmb.org