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Massage License

Is a license absolutely necessary to practice massage therapies as a job on my spare time? I mean for massage at the home of clients 2, 3 times per week.

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Permalink Reply by Doris Gikey on February 7, 2014 at 1:39pm

In Connecticut you must have a license to do any massage for any amount of time ...ii don't know about other states

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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on February 10, 2014 at 5:04pm

in all regulated states, a license is required. and note that being licensed in one does not entitle you to provide professional massage in any other state. These regulations are in place in order to protect the public from incompetents and the untrained.

Do you know the endangerment sites on the body? Do you understand what constitutes systemic contraindications? These two are absolutely essential for massage therapists. But knowledge of the origins and insertions and actions performed by all major muscles, while not absolutely essential, would also come in handy each and every time you rub somebody down and take their money for it.

In some states you can become licensed after as little as 200 hours of massage school. But very shortly the minimum level necessary will be 650 hours; and within 5 years it is liable to be 1,000 hours required. My own 1000 hours program cost $38,000 in loans and interest. IOW, it isn't a field suitable for picking up a few bucks here and there.

But before you enroll somewhere, be aware that it ain't a quick route to riches-- massage therapy professionally given to clients is a very hard way to make a living. It is extremely hard on the therapist's body. The highest burnout rate occurs in the first 2-4 years.

Please, be responsible. If you accept payment for giving massages, go to massage school first. For considerable liability attaches when you do any service professionally (for payment). ABMP members are protected by $3,000,000 liability insurance.

Giving massage no charge-- not even accepting tips-- from friends and family who are in need of caring touch and cannot afford to pay a professional is a horse of a different color. Just be careful, remember the first rule: DO NO HARM>

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Permalink Reply by Ana Moana on February 11, 2014 at 7:40am

Thanks for the input! WOW, I didn't know that getting a license is so expensive. I intend to receive payment for massage sessions. I took reflexology and kinetotherapy classes in college, but they didn't give me any diploma. However I'm not based in UK. I think I got to find out how things work here....

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Permalink Reply by Neal Lyons on February 12, 2014 at 12:33pm

It depends. Recreationally anyone can give a massage. But do legally practice as a massage therapist, you must be licensed in States that require it. In some States, it is illegal to practice without a license. That said, others are more lax.