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Licensed in other states

Good evening family,

I was wondering is there a website or a place where I can get the information needed on being licensed in other states. Like what the requirements are in other states, vs going to each state site and getting the info that way.

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Litasi on January 21, 2011 at 11:49am

This is a great resource! Thanks for posting it. I'm now wondering why states don't offer reciprocity or at least a path to it especially for experienced therapists. I'd been thinking about going to NM or AZ for winters but it seems like a big hurdle to start over. Colorado didn't require a national exam. And that makes me think, why call it a national exam if states don't allow reciprocity if you have it? Very strange.

Ezekiel OBrien said:

http://www.massagetherapy.com/careers/stateboards.php that is a good start.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie Santos on January 22, 2011 at 12:10pm

there is actualy a place where you can go to on abmp you click on the state you want to look into and it gives you an address and a contact number the link on the above post is the one i am talking about

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on January 22, 2011 at 1:42pm

Hi Johnathan,

I created this site to answer just for your question.

http://www.worldmassagefestival.com/library/

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Litasi on January 24, 2011 at 4:01pm

Thanks Ezekiel. The NCTMB exam was not require by Colorado when I graduated so I didn't take it. I was a straight A student but to take it again I'd definitely need to study up. I personally don't believe that a written test can guarantee that a therapist knows what they are doing. And, I don't think bodywork should be standardized.

Ezekiel OBrien said:

Nice link Mike. However the version you posted here needs updating for California.

@sherry. I don't know the inside baseball of the NCTMB but it is certainly not a federal agency and has been around since the 14 years I have been doing massage. It is used in varying degrees by many states in certification. In my opinion, it has been a useful tool to replace "unfair" tests in some states whose licensing tests were crafted by strong schools to create a defacto guild and give an advantage to their students. I think they call it the "National" because it's hopes and dreams are and were that it would and will become the nationwide standard just like most towns have business dreaming big called something like "Nationwide Auto Sales" or "World's Gym."

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on February 18, 2011 at 3:10am

They keep changing things. Will update as soon as I get new info.

Ezekiel OBrien said:

Nice link Mike. However the version you posted here needs updating for California.

@sherry. I don't know the inside baseball of the NCTMB but it is certainly not a federal agency and has been around since the 14 years I have been doing massage. It is used in varying degrees by many states in certification. In my opinion, it has been a useful tool to replace "unfair" tests in some states whose licensing tests were crafted by strong schools to create a defacto guild and give an advantage to their students. I think they call it the "National" because it's hopes and dreams are and were that it would and will become the nationwide standard just like most towns have business dreaming big called something like "Nationwide Auto Sales" or "World's Gym."

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Permalink Reply by Tammy C. Jennings on March 20, 2011 at 2:25pm

I graduated Massage Therapy school June 30, 2003. July 1, 2003 is was made mandatory to take the National Exam (NCBTM or NCBTMB). Thinking i probably would never move out of the state., I would be ok... Well, NOT... 5 yrs. later i moved, and yes i had to take the National Exam before i could get licensed in that state.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on March 20, 2011 at 3:26pm

That is why many folks stay NCB approved, Tammy! I move with the Festival every year! I think the average is a thearpist moves every three years.

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Litasi on March 20, 2011 at 5:54pm

Great input! I was visiting my school's book store last week and impulsively picked up a Review book by Sandy Fritz. It's very comprehensive! I read the first chapter and decided to take a sample test. I had no problem with the time limit and without any study got a 72%, though this isn't quite accurate since the fact questions are only 1 pt and the complex analysis questions are 3 pts. I got most of the analysis questions right, and failed a lot of questions about oriental topics since we didn't have that stuff in school. So, I know what to study. As for draping and body mechanics, I'm a bit out of practice since I have been working through soft clothing for 5 years :) And my massage table is hydrolic so no worries about my back :) I spent 2.5 hours taking the test and 1.5 hours evaluating the answers- why I got it right or wrong...

This book has sample tests on cds so you can test a lot. The anatomy wasn't a big deal for me since I am always studying anatomy - helps to be a geek :) Oh, and one "correct" answer was intended that we refer out - but this is the sort of thing that I do on a regular basis... obviously meant for new therapists....

I still wish states allowed reciprocity :)

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on March 20, 2011 at 7:31pm

As long as states keep upgrading their hours. It won't happen. About a year ago there were 19-22 states that were at 500 hours. They could have easily formed an agreement to honor each others license in the pact. Now states are being pushed again and Federal dollars are prompting them to keep raising hours. It will continue until therapists gain control of their groups pushing for these unneeded increases. Standards need raised, not hours.