| Massage therapy is much more than just | | | | table height can impair your ability to apply |
| alleviating back, neck, or limb stress - it's also a | | | | sufficient pressure during a massage session. |
| highly developed tool used in a range of industries, | | | | Throughout the duration of the massage therapy |
| including healthcare, on cruise ships, and in spas. | | | | program, you will learn fundamental skills, such as |
| Massage therapy itself is a growing industry. Not | | | | Swedish, deep tissue, orthopedic, cross fiber, and |
| only are massage therapists increasing in ranks, | | | | neuromuscular massage therapy. You should also |
| but pay is on the rise as well. The industry has | | | | expect to become well versed in carrying out a |
| come a long way, with countless new techniques | | | | physical assessment of your clients to identify |
| used by today's licensed massage therapists to | | | | key areas of the body to be addressed in the |
| make people feel better and improve their quality | | | | massage session. |
| of life. | | | | In addition to learning a variety of techniques while |
| When you become a massage therapist, the best | | | | at the school, you may also decide which |
| perk is perhaps the flexibility in the job. You | | | | approach interests you the most and choose to |
| choose where you go, what you do, and how | | | | specialize in one area after you begin your career. |
| you do it. The discipline encompasses the best of | | | | Licensing requirements. Upon completion of a |
| working with people from all walks of life as well | | | | massage therapy program, you will need to take |
| as helping them relieve tension and heal injuries, to | | | | and pass one of three exams approved by the |
| feel better and work and move with greater | | | | Georgia Board of Massage Therapy. |
| ease. When you become a massage therapist, | | | | - The Federation of State Massage Therapy |
| you help promote relaxation, health, injury | | | | Boards ( offers the Massage Board Licensing |
| rehabilitation, as well as encourage clients to deal | | | | Exam (MBLEx). This entry-level exam is used to |
| with stress and chronic pain reduction or | | | | ensure that the practice of massage therapy is |
| management more effectively. | | | | carried out in a safe, effective manner in a public |
| Would you like to become a massage therapist? | | | | setting. |
| If so, the steps below will help you embark on | | | | - The National Certification Board for Therapeutic |
| the road to working as a licensed massage | | | | Massage & Bodywork ( offers two certification |
| therapist in the state of Georgia. | | | | exams. Both exams are used to establish and |
| State Requirements for a Licensed Massage | | | | uphold a national standard for excellence. |
| Therapist | | | | Your credentials will be evaluated by the Georgia |
| Getting started. The first, most important | | | | Board of Massage Therapy. Qualifying applicants |
| element is you. As a massage therapist, you | | | | will become licensed and therefore eligible to |
| should be personable, easy to work with, and | | | | provide therapeutic massage in the state. In order |
| comfortable touching someone in an ethical way. | | | | to remain up-to-date with changes in the industry, |
| Delving into a new career and honing those skills | | | | 24 hours of continuing education are required |
| involves a considerable time commitment on your | | | | during each biennial renewal period. |
| part. Before enrolling anywhere, ask yourself if | | | | Affiliations. Once you are a licensed massage |
| you: | | | | therapist, you must be willing to uphold strong |
| - Have enough time to complete coursework? | | | | ethical values. Affiliating with professional massage |
| - Can study and prepare for the next day? | | | | therapy organizations will aid in this endeavor and |
| - Can attend regular classes throughout the | | | | add to your credibility. |
| week? | | | | Affiliating is also a great way to network with |
| - Can complete at least 500 hours of training? | | | | other massage therapists in your area or state to |
| - Need financing? | | | | discover the newest techniques and technologies |
| Some massage therapy programs run from | | | | and learn about new positions for a licensed |
| Monday through Friday, lasting over four hours (or | | | | massage therapist. |
| approximately 21 hours a week) at the bare | | | | Getting a job. Have your newly acquired licensing |
| minimum. Other schools can have more strenuous | | | | number handy. You are required to write it out on |
| schedules placed on the student who wants to | | | | all of your business information. You should also |
| become a massage therapist. If time is limited, | | | | check in your municipality for business licensing |
| some massage schools offer classes in the late | | | | requirements. If you affiliated with certain |
| afternoon or evening, or even a combination | | | | massage therapy organizations, you can receive |
| thereof if your schedule better permits a | | | | pointers to assist you in looking for your first job |
| less-than-structured course calendar. | | | | as a licensed massage therapist. |
| Researching potential schools is also vital. While | | | | Many employers are in need of well-qualified, |
| you will cover many of the same basics, | | | | licensed massage therapists to work in a variety |
| remember that not all schools are created equal. | | | | of exciting positions. These positions include, but |
| Get to know the teachers. Their teaching style | | | | are certainly not limited to, spas and medi-spas, |
| may or may not jibe with the way you learn. | | | | and medical offices, such as ob/gyn, chiropractic |
| Tour the campus. Is this somewhere you can | | | | medicine, and orthopedics. Hospitals are also in |
| picture yourself learning and growing? | | | | need of the services of a skilled massage |
| Education/Training. The massage school that you | | | | practitioner for cancer patients, rehabilitation, and |
| choose should boast educational curriculum that is | | | | pain management. The options are limitless when |
| approved by the Georgia Board of Massage | | | | you become a massage therapist. |
| Therapy. At the school of your choice, you will be | | | | Wherever you go, with your new-found skills as a |
| required to complete an approved program, which | | | | licensed massage therapist, you can help |
| should be 500 hours or longer, and will cover all | | | | invigorate tired limbs and encourage better |
| standard Western massage techniques. It is | | | | movement, improve circulation, alleviate stress, |
| recommended that you do not purchase | | | | and bring smiles to countless clients throughout |
| equipment until you begin your education. | | | | the day. |
| Purchasing a massage table prior to learning about | | | | |