To practice massage therapy in most states requires certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); many states also require certified massage therapists to be licensed. There are hundreds of good accredited massage therapy schools across the US and Canada that can train you to pass exams for certification in massage therapy.
When people talk about earning certificates and diplomas, they do not mean the same thing as gaining massage therapy certification. It is possible to get
massage therapy certificates after a number of hours of training in one specific area of massage, but still not be legally qualified to practice in many states. There are several very deliberate steps required before one can become a certified massage therapist (CMT), and almost every state has its own laws and regulations to follow.
The NCBTMB requires that candidates acquire a minimum number of 500 hours of training from an approved
massage school (accredited by the US Department of Education or approved by the state of practice); required education must include 125 hours of body systems, anatomy, physiology and kinesiology; 200 hours of massage and bodywork assessment, theory and application; 40 hours of pathology; 10 hours of business and ethics, including at least 6 hours of ethics; and 125 hours of additional instruction. The candidate must then pass the NCBTMB exam to prove competency in practical skills (hands-on) as well as knowledge and understanding of professional massage practices.
Once the candidate has received certification, it is then important to secure a massage therapy license (if licensure is required in the state of practice). It is also essential to check with local authorities before setting up a practice to see if there are any other necessary prerequisites or regulations to be met. For instance, some states require CMTs to take periodic continuing education in massage practices. The administrators and instructors at the best
massage therapy schools are often a good resource to help students through this process.
In short, there are few professions that offer such great personal rewards as those of the natural healer; becoming a nationally certified massage therapist is one of the best ways to prove expertise in natural healing. If you would like to find the best training in your area, select a few schools or colleges from our website and contact them today to see if they can help you to qualify for
massage therapy certification.
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.
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Author Resource Box: Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Find training for
Massage Therapy Certification, as well as Schools, Colleges, Universities, Online Schools, and Vocational Schools at
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