getting your massage therapy certification

Everything You Should Know About Getting Your Massage Therapy Certification

If you've ever spoken with a massage therapist, you have likely heard them make mention of how satisfied and rewarded they feel in their line of work. Massage Therapy is unique in that it allows one to help people in a deeply meaningful way. Before licensed therapists were able to get to this point, though, there were certain steps that they all had to take. If you're thinking about following in their footsteps, this post will tell you everything that you need to know about earning your massage therapy certification. 

Opportunities in Massage Therapy

What types of work can a certified massage therapist expect to do? One of the truly great things about earning a massage therapy certification is that it allows for a great deal of flexibility in terms of work hours, location, independence, and practice type. Occupational massage therapists might work with those who have suffered from sports-related injuries or stiffness and pain associated with day-to-day work activities. Others might set up a private practice to promote holistic healing and relaxation for individual patients and couples. Many massage therapists also work in health care and rehabilitation centers to assist with pain management. A massage therapist might even elect to establish a mobile business, in which they travel to an individual client's home for therapy sessions. 

Work Setting for Massage Therapists

Massage therapists can work in a number of different settings, depending on their specific practice or focus type and their own unique needs or desires. Some of the most common locations in which massage therapists perform their work include:

  • Office or Home Office
  • Clinics
  • Hospitals, Wellness Centers, or Rehabilitation Centers
  • Chiropractic Offices
  • Mobile (including airports, public events, etc.)
  • Spas and Resorts
  • Health Clubs
  • Sports Teams
  • Salons

Although there are many different work environments to choose from, it should be noted that the American Massage Therapy Association has reported that the vast majority of massage therapists tend to act as sole practitioners, either working in the client's home, in a health care setting, in a spa setting, or at a client's workplace. 

Massage Therapy Workload

It's important for prospective massage therapists to understand that their entire workdays and workweeks will not be consumed with actually practicing massage. Because this particular field places an ongoing physical demand on the massage therapist, a full-time position in massage therapy generally includes 17 or more hours of actual massage per week. The remainder of the therapist's time will often be spent on scheduling, billing, bookkeeping, marketing, etc.     

Massage Therapy Education and Path

Those interested in pursuing a certificate in massage therapy will need to enroll in and complete a comprehensive training program. This should include practical, hands-on clinical instruction as well as an overview of sound business practices. Upon graduation from such a program, you will need to become licensed and/or certified by your state or municipality, depending on how massage therapy is regulated in your state. This will require you to first apply to the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage (NCBTMB) and pass the National Certification Exam. 

Take the First Step Toward Becoming a Massage Therapist

Could a degree in massage therapy be your calling? Reach out to ECPI University today to talk to one of our experts about earning an Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy. Our exciting program could provide you with all of the knowledge, training, and experience that you need to become licensed and certified in as little as 15 months through our year-round schedule. Don't wait another minute to start moving forward with your goals to become your very best self. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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