How to Become a Massage Therapist
When it comes to choosing a career path, employees today want flexibility. Flexibility with hours, time off, location, and so on. If you are interested in massage therapy, the good news is you can have all of that — and the industry is growing.
With an increasing number of massage clinics, spas, and salons popping up across the country in recent years, there is an increased demand for massagers. In fact, employment for massage therapists is expected to grow more than 30 percent between 2020 and 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts1.
The appeal? You can work from anywhere: your home, a massage clinic, hospital, spa, and more. Your hours can be flexible. And you can employ your own set of tools: creativity and your “magic hands.” The U.S. News and World Report ranked being a massage therapist at number 58 in the 100 best jobs, number 7 without a college degree and 7 again for best health care support jobs2.
With more than 80 different kinds of treatments, massage therapists are required to learn many different techniques and exercises. So, what does it take?
How Do You Become a Certified Massage Therapist?
Training is everything. Programs such as Lackawanna College’s provide future massage therapists with all the tools, trainings, and more required of massage therapists. Most certificate programs require up to 1,000 hours of instruction and trainings. Here’s the step-breakdown of how to become a certified massage therapist:
- Complete a massage therapy program
- Complete hands-on, practical requirements such as internship or externship
- Pass the licensing exam
- Apply for a license in the state you want
There are plenty of massage programs across the country, find one that offers you practical, real-world experience and one that will prepare you best for the exams that follow.
Lackawanna College’s Massage Therapy Certificate
In just eight months, those who take Lackawanna’s massage therapy certificate program will be ready to enter the workforce. The six-month program includes 720 hours of in-classroom instruction and 96 hours of a supervised, hands-on clinical externship.
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., classes at Lackawanna include real-world instructions and coursework. The following are classes Lackawanna offers for this program:
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Allied Modalities
• Massage I Theory
• Massage II Research
• Kinesiology
• Therapeutic Medical Massage/Sports Massage
• Hydrotherapy/Aromatherapy
• Swedish Massage
• Business Ethics and Law
This array of coursework provides students a well-rounded skillset, ready to enter the workforce and receive their license. You will learn how to improve people’s circulation, manage their pain, reduce their stress, and maintain their overall health and well-being. The massage certificate will provide you with all of that and more. For more information on how classes are set up, program costs, and more, visit Lackawanna’s website.
How Much Does the Average Massage Therapy School Cost?
Tuition for the massage therapy program at Lackawanna College is $7,500 and includes a massage table, books, licensing exam fee, CPR certification from the American Heart Association, a subscription to Massage Prep training, and clinical externship. Physical examination, background check, state license fee and scrubs are an additional $215.
How to Become a Licensed Massage Therapist?
After training and earning your certificate comes the MBLEx, or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam, which is offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board. It’s an exam that grants your massage therapy license. Lackawanna’s program will more than prepare you for this exam.
The U.S. News and World Report estimates that massage therapists make a median salary of $43,6203. If you are self-employed, work at a spa, or hospital, massage therapists have consistent client bases, and there will always be hiring opportunities.
Massage therapists make their clients feel better. Who doesn’t want a job that makes the world and people feel better?
Convinced yet? Apply here today to Lackawanna’s massage therapy certificate program.
1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm#:~:text=Employment%20of%20massage%20therapists%20is,on%20average%2C%20over%20the%20decade.
2 https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/massage-therapist
3 https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/massage-therapist