How to Start a Career in Massage Therapy
If you're looking to start a career in massage therapy, it might seem like an overwhelming task. But don't worry, we're here to help! We've written this post with all the steps you need to know in order to become one of the best massage therapists around.
First things first: what does a massage therapist do? A wide variety of clients visit massage therapists for different reasons. Muscular injuries from sports and desk jobs often lead people down that path, as well as chronic pain from conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. Additionally, many elderly people visit massage therapists to help relieve stress and pain in their muscles. And, of course, some people just enjoy a relaxing massage experience!
Massage therapy is a common alternative medical treatment and is used to treat orthopedic injuries and relieve muscle tension. Massage therapy often includes the use of stretching, compression, friction, heat or cold (cryotherapy), and electrical stimulation. In most cases, if you start a career as a massage therapist your client will be lying on a table in varying degrees of undress while you work manually on their body. Massage therapists work with all sorts of clients including professional athletes.
You're probably thinking that sounds pretty simple - but it's not quite that simple.
Massage Therapy School
If you want to become a massage therapist, it's best to start as early as possible. In order to get into an accredited massage therapy school, you will need at least a high school diploma. The next step is to get certified by a Clinical Massage and Bodywork Registration Board (CMBCRB). Fortunately, if you already have a college degree you can apply for the certification without taking the college courses again once you've completed your education.
Once you've taken the CMBCRB courses and passed their exams, there are many schools in your area that offer accredited massage training. There are numerous schools that offer massage training online, but they often have limited hours and can make it difficult to find a place to work.
If you live in the United States, you can enroll in one of the two main massage schools that accept students from all over the world:
The International School of Bodywork (ISB) offers a five-year program. Students complete their degree after working for one year at an approved school. Students who graduate with an ISB degree will be eligible for licensure in 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Programs are offered on campuses or through distance learning through Cambridge University . They also offer an Advanced Bodywork Certification Program for those who wish to specialize in particular areas of practice or anatomy.
offers a five-year program. Students complete their degree after working for one year at an approved school. Students who graduate with an ISB degree will be eligible for licensure in 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Programs are offered on campuses or through distance learning through . They also offer an Advanced Bodywork Certification Program for those who wish to specialize in particular areas of practice or anatomy. The Institute for Integrative Bodywork offers a four-year degree (16 months if you complete the accelerated option). Like ISB, students must gain hands-on experience during the program to receive their degree. They offer programs on campus and online .
If you live in Canada, the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College offers an accredited four-year (48 months) program and is eligible for licensure in Canada. The National University of Health Sciences also offers a four year school, but certification is only available to graduates within the United States and Puerto Rico.
For those who are not able to attend school full-time, some schools allow students to schedule their classes around an existing job. The International Institute of Natural Health & Longevity allows students to complete the first two years online then meets on campus for the final two years coupled with clinical hours completed at approved schools throughout California.
Other schools offer four years of full-time study followed by a year in an internship. Students will then receive their degree at the end of the internship. These include:
Although some schools do not require hands-on experience, others have specific internship requirements which can range from four to eight months. Some massage schools require students to obtain licensure or certification before starting an internship. If you're interested in becoming a massage therapist but not sure where to start, check out this list of accredited massage schools!
How to Become a Massage Therapist
Massage therapy is usually done by licensed professionals with at least 100 hours of training under their belt. Most massage therapists will have an associate's degree in massage therapy, and will then complete a two-year bachelor's degree program. In some cases, an accredited school of massage offers a one-year certificate program.
While it might seem like everyone you know is a massage therapist, the field is more competitive than you might expect. Research estimates that there are about 130,000 certified massage therapists in the United States. Most of those are chiropractors. If you don't have enough experience as a masseuse to qualify for a certification exam, it may be difficult to find a job as part of your training program.
If you can pass the exams and meet the other program requirements, your first step will be to contact a local accredited massage school. Check out Career Path's list of massage schools for information about getting admitted to one of their training programs. If a school does not accept high school students, it is unlikely that they will take you on as a full-time student. If a school does not offer an accredited certificate program, it is unlikely that the school will admit you to their four-year university program.
What Does It Cost to Become a Massage Therapist?
The price of massage therapy training depends on how much formal education you need and whether or not an internship is required before graduation. If you already have a college degree, you may be able to finish massage school in 12 months or less.
If you have a college degree and choose an accelerated program, it will cost about $15,000 to get your bachelor's degree. The NMSAB (National Massage and Bodywork Association) reports that the average annual tuition rate for a certificate program is $3,150. The average cost of a master's degree is closer to $10,000 per year. These numbers are the average costs charged by accredited schools in the United States. If you attend school out of state or overseas, your tuition could be higher or lower than these rates.
The average annual tuition rate for an accredited massage therapy school is about $3,000. Schools with accredited certificate programs are a little more expensive—the average is about $4,900. However, most schools charge about the same amount per credit hour whether you're studying in an accelerated or traditional program.
What You Should Do before You Apply
Make sure you have a plan for financing your massage therapy program before you apply to massage school. The odds of getting into a program that will accept you as an online student are slim to none if your only education comes from book learning. It can be difficult to find jobs as a massage therapist without the four-year degree, so you'll need to have funding in place before applying.
Conclusion
The field of massage therapy is growing rapidly. According to the results of a national survey, massage therapy is the second most popular profession in the United States, with more than 200,000 licensed massage therapists. In 1989, there were only 56 states that required licenses for massage therapists in all 50 states.
Massage therapy schools offer four-year programs designed to provide students with the hands-on skills they will need to open their own businesses and help clients return to health or maintain their wellness as they age. A two-year associate's degree program followed by a two-year bachelor's degree will allow you to take your first step toward becoming a registered massage therapist in most areas of the country.