Massage therapists practice a healing art that has been perfected and performed for over 2,500 years. As massage has become more respected by the medical community as a legitimate therapy for injured and stressed muscles, the popularity of the art has grown. Therapists are now employed in spas, gymnasiums, doctor’s offices, athletic organizations, and resorts all over the country. Massage can be a lucrative part time job, as well as a full-time career. Employment for massage therapists is expected to boom over the next 7 years, increasing by as much as 20% to 35%. Launching a new career as a massage therapist isn’t difficult, but does require a commitment to training and education to get started.
How Long Does It Take?
Massage therapy programs take an average of 12 months to complete, but the time frame can vary based on a number of variables. If you are interested in learning the basics of massage with an aim to launch a career speedily, it is possible to complete training in a shorter period. Specializing in a certain type of massage or mastering several different types, called modalities, can take longer. The biggest determining factor in the time frame is the State education requirements in the area you wish to practice.
All massage therapists are licensed based upon the number of training hours they have completed. Currently 37 States have laws regarding the licensing of massage therapists, with different hourly requirements. If you plan to begin work in an area that has such a law, the required time it takes to complete a program may range from 300 to 1,000 hours. Becoming nationally certified as a massage therapist requires a minimum of 500 hours, though national certification may not be compulsory within your State. Check with your local regulatory board for specific massage therapist licensing laws.
Classes
As a massage therapy student, the number of hours it takes you to complete the training program is essential to future success. Most massage therapy programs have a blended curriculum of in-class instruction, demonstration, and hands-on practice, either through a supervised externship or student clinic. The best training will train you in all the skills covered by the national certification exam.
Basic classes in massage therapy cover anatomy and physiology. Practicing therapists must understand the structure and composition of the human body to better master the art of massage. You might take classes in kinesiology, the study of physical movement, and pharmacology, to recognize how prescription medicines affect the body. Other basic subjects include the history and theory of massage.
Along with fundamental courses, massage therapists learn the many kinds of massage, called modalities, currently practiced. These include the chair massage, deep tissue massage, Shiatsu, Swedish massage, sports massage, and acupressure massage. It may be possible to specialize in one or many of these modalities during your education. Many holistic medicine schools that offer massage therapy programs also have courses in aromatherapy, reflexology, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture. Learning these spa technologies equip you with a unique skill set while adding hours to your training log. Perfecting your massage technique through an externship is also a great opportunity to add real-world experience to your resume.
With an eye towards a successful post-training career, massage therapist programs require students to enroll in business management classes. Learning how to prepare for an interview, seek employment, launch a business, and self-manage are critical skills that will help you become a practicing massage therapist in the work environment of your choice.
Reputable massage therapy schools will be focused on the number of hours each course needs for completion, in line with the requirements of the national certification exam. Programs should keep a log of all student hours and submit them to the National Certification Board of Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers (NCBTMB).
Certification
Massage therapists, like most medical professionals, need national certification to launch a successful career. There are two ways to become certified by NCBTMB. You may sit for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM). Both tests cover the basics of massage therapy education and are multiple choice. Eligibility for the exams requires completion of 500 hours of coursework. National certification must be renewed every 4 years through continuing education and at least 200 hours of therapeutic massage performed per year.
State laws differ on which certification is preferable for practice in a particular locality. Some States may not require certification at all, but a credential from a State approved school or a training log with a minimum number of hours. Certain massage therapy programs are geared towards preparing students for careers in one particular locale. Always check with the State board in the area you wish to practice before enrolling in any program or sitting for either certification examination.
Top Massage Schools
Ashworth College
Ashworth offers respected, affordable online degree programs and expert guidance to help you meet your goals while balancing work and family. Now you can get the precise training you need to become the professional you’ve always wanted to be. And you can go as far as your education takes you.
Texas Center for Massage Therapy
Do you want a career that offers the satisfaction of helping people and a work environment that is positive and exciting? With the education you will receive at the Texas Center for Massage Therapy, that career can be yours.
Massage therapy is a flexible and rewarding career in which you not only take care of others – you also take care of yourself! You can work in a resort spa, cruise ship, medical office, sports clinic, destination spa, or a day spa close to home. You can even start your own private practice!
National Massage Therapy Institute
Are you seeking a rewarding new profession or just additional income? A part-time or full-time career as a Massage Therapist may be the solution you are looking for and the National Massage Therapy Institute can provide you with the necessary training to become a successful Massage Therapist in just 9 months!
The National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI) has a singular focus and passion: professional massage therapy training. The school’s Massage Therapy program has been carefully crafted by local industry experts and aims to produce highly qualified massage therapists to meet the industry’s growing demand.
NMTI is proud to be accredited by COMTA (The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation), an agency listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). NMTI is also a member of the American Massage Therapy Association and the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, and certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
Fremont College
At Fremont College, we have experienced teachers who are the leaders of today, shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Baltimore School of Massage
Do you want a career that offers the satisfaction of helping people, the ability to earn a good living, and a work environment that is positive and exciting? After as little as seven months at the Baltimore School of Massage York Campus, that career can be yours.
Whether your dream is to work in a medical office, cruise ship, a resort spa, or a day spa or salon close to home, the education you receive at the Baltimore School of Massage York Campus can help get you there.
Globe Education
At Globe University and Minnesota School of Business we prepare students for exciting careers in high-value fields. Imagine getting paid for what you love doing. It all starts with career-based training at any one of our Globe University or Minnesota School of Business campuses. We offer master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Our graduates are prepared for careers in business, health science, technology, legal science and creative media.
Here you will find a dynamic learning environment, with hands-on training that gives you the experience you need to succeed in the real world. We’re committed to helping you succeed, not only in your training, but in your chosen career.
Bryan College
As a leading source of Health & Wellness training for the Northern California area, Bryan College prides itself on being an elite school for career-minded individuals who are committed to their training and future careers. Our goal is to graduate students who have received an excellent education, and who are inspired and confident to step into their new careers as Massage Therapists, Personal Trainers, and Wellness Consultants.
Denver School of Massage Therapy
The Denver School of Massage Therapy (DSMT) trains students for the numerous massage job opportunities in spas, medical settings, cruise ships, or private practices. For over 20 years, the Denver School of Massage Therapy has provided professional massage therapy training programs. DSMT has two campus locations in Westminster and Aurora, Colorado. DSMT has high standards for their programs, and is committed to the highest standards of bodywork education. The Denver School of Massage Therapy is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).
Cortiva Institute - Schools of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is growing by leaps and bounds and has become a well respected health care profession, yet it remains under recognized for what it has to offer you as a career path. If you’re looking for a vocation that provides a true connection to people, diversity, autonomy, fulfillment, and possibilities, massage therapy may well be the career you’ve been searching for.
Virginia School of Massage
We have been providing high-quality education to the Charlottesville community for more than 18 years. The training you will receive at the Virginia School of Massage will prepare you for fulfilling and financially-rewarding careers that you will love … as a massage therapist or esthetician.
Whether your dream is to work in a medical office, cruise ship, a resort spa, or a day spa or salon close to home, the education you receive at the Virginia School of Massage can help get you there. You can even start your own private practice!