The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

The most recognizable certifying organization in massage therapy is the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Certification through the NCBTMB requires 500 hours of massage therapy instruction, a passing score on their exam, and a commitment to the institution's Code of Ethics.

The NCBTMB offers two exams: the National Certificate Examination For Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) and the National Certificate Examination For Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). These differ slightly in the types of questions asked on the exam; most of the difference lies in what each state requires for licensure.

Credentials through the NCBTMB must be renewed every four years. Within those four years, the prospective candidate must have worked at least 200 total hours in therapeutic massage and fulfilled the regulations for continuing education requirements, which are left up to the states to decide.

State and City Massage Therapy Regulations

Most of the licenses required to become a massage therapist are offered through each state's Department of Health. There are 39 states (including Washington, D.C.) that require a massage therapist license in order to work as a professional practitioner. Of these, a total of 33 states (again including Washington, D.C.) recognize the NCBTMB certification. The rules regarding the exact level of licensure required in each state – as well as any necessary continuing education credits or graduation from a qualified massage therapy school – can be found through the American Massage Therapy Association.

Further restrictions and license requirements may also be set up within city and county regulations. Most of these have to do with ensuring that the line between professional massage therapy and the sale of sexual services at so-called "massage parlors" does not get blurred.

Professional Associations

No matter what each state requires as far as licensing and certification, joining professional massage therapy associations is also a good idea for new practitioners. The American Massage Therapy Association is the largest and most general, but those with specific fields of study can also benefit from joining a group designed with their niche in mind. For example, the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia works just with Acupressure, Amma, Chi Nei Tsang, Medical Qigong, Nuad bo Rarn (Thai), Shiatsu, and Tuina.

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