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Massage therapist was ranked as one of the top medical careers of 2011 in the United States News and World Report. There are various reasons why massage therapy careers can be a great career option with the industry projected to grow at a faster pace than the average rate.
So, if you think that being a massage therapist in Santa Monica is the career for you, here’s how you can be aprofessional massage therapist.
#1 Massage Therapy Program
First, massage therapists need to complete a massage therapy program and earn a diploma degree from an accredited school that is approved by the state. In their studies, future massage therapists will learn medical terminology, massage ethics, body mechanics, physiology and anatomy.
#2 Practical Requirements
Every state has a requirement for the number of hours needed for a hands-on experience before massage student can obtain their licenses. This can be obtained through an internship or working at a massage clinic.
#3 Licensing Examination
After earning a degree, a licensing exam is needed. In most cases, massage graduates take a specialized exam developed by the state. In others, states require the completion of MBLEx or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination which is administered by the FSMTB or the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
#4 State License
Future massage therapists also need to apply for a license and provide proof that they have met the requirements of having a license. Those who wish to pursue massage therapy careers should find the information about every state’s licensing requirements on the website of the American Massage Therapy Association.
#5 Certifications
Certifications, which can be earned by completing a particular number of clinical hours as well as an examination, are not necessarily needed in order to get a massage therapy license, however, it does make the process easier.
Massage therapy certifications can be earned in sports massage, palliative care, veterinary care, clinical rehabilitative massage and spa management.
#6 Continuing Education Requirement
In order to keep licensure and certification valid, a professional massage therapist should meet the continuing education requirements.
Candidates who’ve taken the BCETMB exam will need to complete a re-certification process which includes showing evidence of 100 hours of work experience and 4 continuing education credits.
Most states also require professionals to submit proof of continuing education in order to maintain their licenses. Meanwhile, the specific coursework requirements and the frequency of which they need to be documented vary by state.
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