A career in massage therapy can open numerous work opportunities for you in spas, salons and fitness centers. Many licensed massage therapists eventually become self-employed and enjoy a work setting with flexible hours with above average income. The massage therapy industry in the U.S. is expected to grow, as more people are realizing the health benefits of massage therapy.
To ensure stable success in massage therapy, therapists, aside from taking massage therapy courses, should also study physiology, anatomy, the skeletal system, and even business and medical ethics. One must also make sure that the massage therapy school they attend is certified or approved by the state.
Certification to become a therapist will vary depending on the state. To be certified in Florida, one must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or an equivalent. One must also have completed a college or a 12-month apprenticeship program approved by the Florida Board of Massage. A Florida massage therapy license will be issued after completing a two-hour prevention of medical errors course, as well as passing the National Certification Examination for Massage Therapy administered by The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Additional requirements include submitting an application and fee for licensure. Some applicants may have to appear before the Board at a scheduled appointment for the determination of their licensure.
Regardless of where you live, acquiring a license in massage therapy is possible, and can open up many doors for you in the massage industry.
Tags: Massage Therapist, Massage Therapy
