Massage therapy is a very promising and rewarding career for any interested individual to go into – whether you’re a student, a practicing health worker of another field, a housewife or one employed in another profession. A duly licensed and certified massage therapist can earn anywhere from $35,000 or more depending on the nature of their commitment and the establishment they are connected with. The work hours are very flexible, with one expecting to put in at least 15 hours a week or as desired. Due to the advantages it presents, many people are contemplating getting a massage therapy certification to avail its positive prospects.

The subjects covered in massage training are basic anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, body mechanics, and most of the widely used and accepted massage techniques. Some school programs that offer advanced massage therapy certification programs such as geriatric massage, lymph drainage, acupressure, meridian therapy, medical massage, myofascial release therapy, craniosacral therapy, and infant massage among others.

Students of massage therapy certification courses can expect to get a first-hand experience from a designated clinic in their area, in coordination with their respective schools and under the watchful eye of instructors, where they can gain essential practical knowledge and applications of various massage techniques that are being applied to its patients or clients from private clinics or spas. Some of these techniques are quite commonly accepted today, that may or may not include basic application of a massage together with reflexology, deep tissue massage, sports massage, Swedish massage, chair massage and others.

A massage therapy course also incorporates other many other useful programs such as learning business management and ethics, social and communication skills enhancement, aromatherapy and essential oils applications, and first aid and CPR. In order to become a fully recognized massage therapist on a national level, one needs to attain certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), by completing eligibility requirements of at least 500 hours training from a licensed school. This certification is good for a four year period after which one needs to renew and by also completing the required 200 hour therapeutic massage and 125 hours of additional associated studies.

Those who finish the course and earn a massage therapy certification from an accredited massage therapy school or university on a State or National level will now be able to have better employment options open to them as the demand for more massage therapist continues to rise in the coming years ahead.

Anyone interested in becoming a certified massage therapist needs to find a legitimate massage therapy certification program in order to be recognized and be able to reap its rewards.

Massage Therapy Certificate

Today, you can earn a Massage Therapy Certificate in a matter of a few hundred hours of hands-on-training. Depending on individual state requirements and massage school offerings, an aspiring student wishing to gain a Massage Therapy Certificate can now do so in just a few weeks or months.

Most Massage Therapy Certificate programs cover an in-depth curriculum that is practical in nature, but nonetheless, quite comprehensive. Students enrolled in a Massage Therapy Certificate program can anticipate basic courses in anatomy and physiology, massage theory and application, kinesiology, pathology, business ethics and practice, and CPR and First Aid. In addition to foundational classes in primary teachings, massage therapy students will also learn about a variety of massage modalities. For example, in a Massage Therapy Certificate program, students may learn routine methods of massage such as Swedish massage and/or deep tissue massage.

Several Massage Therapy Certificate programs allow students to participate in more advanced bodywork classes that encompass massage techniques in myofascial release, reflexology, infant and prenatal massage, sports massage, geriatric massage, manual lymph drainage, and much more.

Typically, students who desire to enter a Massage Therapy Certificate program should have earned their high school diploma or GED, and should have a desire to become part of today’s health care scene. Successful candidates who have acquired their Massage Therapy Certificate will have gained the competence, knowledge, and skills to become a practicing massage therapist. Graduates will be able to help patients with a variety of massage techniques designed to relieve pain and stress, improve circulation, and enhance overall wellbeing.

Furthermore, students who have earned a Massage Therapy Certificate, and have met all other requirements for practicing in his or her state of residency, will discover an abundance of career potentials, as massage therapy is anticipated to be a rapidly-growing field of work in the coming decade. Students who possess a Massage Therapy Certificate in massage therapy training can expect earnings up to over $30 an hour, depending on experience, reputation, location, and education.
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Graduates of Massage Therapy Certificate programs may find work in hospitals, clinics, day spas, massage therapy centers, physical therapy offices, chiropractic offices, or other natural health care facilities.

If you are interested in learning more about how to earn your Massage Therapy Certificate or other certificate programs, please search our site for more in-depth information and resources.

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.

Copyright 2006 – All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

Notice to Publishers: Please feel free to use this article in your Ezine or on your Website; however, ALL links must remain intact and active.

By: Michael Bustamante

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Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find schools offering a Massage Therapy Certificate, Massage Schools, and Massage Therapy Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Vocational Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; your educational resource to locate schools.

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As massage therapy becomes regulated by more states and municipalities, it is important for massage therapists to understand license and certification requirements.

As with many health-based professions, the field of massage therapy is heavily regulated. Although there is no national standard that prospective massage therapists must adhere to, most of the states in the U.S. require some sort of massage license or certification before practitioners are allowed to work with patients. For states that don’t require licensing, it is still a good idea for prospective candidates to consider certification, since it can go a long way in finding better jobs, bringing in new clients, and staying abreast of changes and continuing education.

The Difference between Massage Certification and a Massage License

Contrary to popular belief, massage therapy certification and licensing are actually two different things. Certification is the term used as an informal way of ensuring that a massage therapist has met a standard of excellence. It typically denotes that an individual has accomplished a certain level of education and experience, and also that he or she has passed some sort of exam. However, the exact nature of these qualifications is left up to the certifying organization, which is almost always a private, non-governmental entity that carries its own weight.

Professional licensing is similar but more formalized. It requires similar standards of education and experience, but it is upheld by governmental regulations and is required by law. For massage therapy, professional licensing occurs at a state- and/or city-based level (rather than a federal one), so the license requirements of each state vary.

Massage Therapy Requirements

Working as a massage therapist has less to do with the type of education obtained (such as a certificate, a diploma, or a degree) and more to do with the number of educational hours completed and the quality of the school. Most new massage therapists have to have a minimum of 500 hours of in-class training under a qualified supervisor. Courses must include an anatomy and physiology course in addition to the chosen type of massage therapy techniques. Some states require even more education – including New York, which stipulates that students must have had 1000 hours of training before they can even sit for the appropriate exam.

Accreditation through the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is achieved only on an institutional level. If your school or massage therapy program is recognized, then you automatically get the certification that comes with it. Because COMTA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, graduating from a recognized school can offer an edge in finding employment; however, it may not count in all of the 39 states that require some type of massage therapist license.

All prospective massage therapy students should check with their state’s licensing requirements before they choose a school. A course that fails to comply with state regulations often ends up being a waste of time, since a certain number of educational hours must be completed (or graduation from a COMTA-regulated school might be required) before individuals can even take the exam to get licensed.

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

The most recognizable certifying organization in massage therapy is the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Certification through the NCBTMB requires 500 hours of massage therapy instruction, a passing score on their exam, and a commitment to the institution’s Code of Ethics.

The NCBTMB offers two exams: the National Certificate Examination For Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) and the National Certificate Examination For Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). These differ slightly in the types of questions asked on the exam; most of the difference lies in what each state requires for licensure.

Credentials through the NCBTMB must be renewed every four years. Within those four years, the prospective candidate must have worked at least 200 total hours in therapeutic massage and fulfilled the regulations for continuing education requirements, which are left up to the states to decide.

State and City Massage Therapy Regulations

Most of the licenses required to become a massage therapist are offered through each state’s Department of Health. There are 39 states (including Washington, D.C.) that require a massage therapist license in order to work as a professional practitioner. Of these, a total of 33 states (again including Washington, D.C.) recognize the NCBTMB certification. The rules regarding the exact level of licensure required in each state – as well as any necessary continuing education credits or graduation from a qualified massage therapy school – can be found through the American Massage Therapy Association.

Further restrictions and license requirements may also be set up within city and county regulations. Most of these have to do with ensuring that the line between professional massage therapy and the sale of sexual services at so-called “massage parlors” does not get blurred.

Professional Associations

No matter what each state requires as far as licensing and certification, joining professional massage therapy associations is also a good idea for new practitioners. The American Massage Therapy Association is the largest and most general, but those with specific fields of study can also benefit from joining a group designed with their niche in mind. For example, the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia works just with Acupressure, Amma, Chi Nei Tsang, Medical Qigong, Nuad bo Rarn (Thai), Shiatsu, and Tuina.

J. Terrence (Terry) McDermott is the administrator of Massage Schools Guide at http://www.massageschoolsguide.com, a website offering resources for prospective massage therapists. He specializes in online continuing education resources.

Although there are websites that give professionally taught massage lessons, merely learning how to give a massage online does not make one a licensed massage therapist. There is no online training that will lead to a license in massage therapy.

Generally, one needs to have around 600 hours of class training to become a professional massage therapist. There are even those who try to get more hours of training to create more credibility with other health professionals. There are already a lot of programs that offer a thousand hours of training.

As of now, there are 34 states that require massage therapists to obtain license from State Boards so they can practice massage as a business. These states are Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Texas, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Four states require massage therapists to have certifications before they can practice massage commercially: Wisconsin, Indiana, Virginia, and New Jersey. While in California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, there are state regulations passed about massage therapy licenses or certifications but they are not yet implemented. There are also local or city regulations that concern massage therapy license.

Different states have different regulations covering massage therapy licenses or certifications. Most states that require massage therapists to take and pass a national certification examination before they can be licensed or certified by the state. To maintain certification status, there are states that require massage therapists to earn additional continuing education credits.

Copies of regulations are available usually at no charge in State Boards overseeing massage therapy license and certifications. Aspiring massage therapists should review descriptions of regulations in full so they can have detailed understanding of such directives and guidelines.

There are states that do not have regulations on massage therapy licenses on a state level. These are Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Vermont. However, these states might have local or city regulations covering massage therapy practice. As a rule, it is recommended that one has to attend a massage school if one intends to practice massage therapy professionally.

Most states have laws regulating who practices massage therapy. Because of these laws, it is often necessary for you to earn a degree in massage therapy, as opposed to simply taking a training course. Most states require a 500-hour training program, but some states require only 100 hours of training. This site lists which states regulate massage therapy practitioners, and from there you can do some Google searching to find out what your state requires.

Programs that require you to have 500 hours of training to earn your degree in massage therapy will generally cost anywhere from $5,000 to $9,000. That may seem like a lot of money upfront, but when you factor in how quickly you’ll be on your way to making money, then it isn’t too bad.

It’s important to consider the cost when choosing a massage therapy school. Even though one school may seem much less expensive, there might be hidden costs. For example, do you have any additional fees to pay? Will you need to purchase your own supplies (such as a table), or do they come as part of the program? Will you have to pay to take any sort of licensing test in the end, or is that included in the cost of tuition? Does the more expensive school carry such credibility that it is worth the extra cost?

Once you’ve factored in the extra and hidden costs, then it is worthwhile to compare the actual costs to get your degree in massage therapy. At that point it will be good for you to compare other factors.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have $5000-$9000 laying around to spend on tuition. Fortunately, most schools have scholarship programs (although it is not good to rely solely on those), and they have loan programs as well. Consider taking out a loan, especially if you can get a low-interest Federal loan. Keep in mind, though, that you want to take out as small of a loan as possible. Remember that if you take out $1,000 you’ll pay a lot more than $1,000 back. That’s just how interest works.

To keep your loan low, consider the following:

• Work while you are studying. Even if you only make a few thousand dollars a year working part-time, that is better than nothing. It means that you can use that money to pay for your education and your cost of loving. And best of all, that’s interest free! It’s all your money!
• Work to save up money before starting your program. If you earn a few thousand dollars and are able to save that money before starting your program, then that is all the better for you. Even if you only save up a portion of the total cost of schooling, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
• Apply for any low-income grants you can. Even if you don’t think you qualify, it’s worth applying. You never know what you might get. Even a few hundred dollars is worth filling out an application.

Earning a degree in massage therapy is very affordable. With the options available for student loans, it is very likely that you can earn your degree and still be able to pay it off. The key is to work hard, and be wise about your loans and choosing your program.

The most important thing in choosing where to take massage therapy courses is certification. Most states require massage therapists to hold some sort of license and or certification. Practicing without a license is illegal and can result in very hefty fines and may result in the forfeiture of the chance to practice massage therapy legally. When choosing a school, it is of vital importance to select a school that assists students in receiving the necessary certification to practice.

Some schools do that by offering the certification as part of the massage therapy courses. Other schools will allow students the opportunity to take any necessary exams at the end of the program for a fee. Regardless of how the school helps students earn massage therapy certification, it is crucial that prospective students make sure that some sort of certification process is in place.

Probably the next important thing to take into account when choosing where to earn a degree in massage therapy is the cost of tuition.

Some schools really are superior to others, and that is why the cost is so much higher. Sometimes having the name of a certain school on a resume will give the student substantial credentials just because of the name of the school. However, those schools tend to be much more expensive than some of the lesser known schools. When considering the tuition, it is important to take into account personal finances and how much debt you might be willing to get into to afford a massage therapy degree. Some students are not so interested in name brands and are primarily focused on getting certified so they can start practising massage therapy.

Location is also of crucial importance when choosing a massage therapy school. It might be wise to first examine what schools are nearby your home or your place of work. For some, it may be necessary to move to be closer to a school, if only for a temporary time. Others may find that convenience trumps all and it is just

best to choose the school that is closest to them. Remember to consider such factors as transportation costs when choosing where to get your degree in massage therapy.

Most areas have some form of massage therapy classes, and those tend to be the best places to earn a degree in massage therapy. Sometimes these training schools can be expensive, but most massage therapists find that they are able to easily pay back the loans with their careers in massage therapy.

Below is an ad for one of the many massage therapy programs in the United States.