How to Become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

A Licensed Massage Therapist or LMT is trusted by most people when the need for any type of massage therapy arises. After all, even with the many advances in modern medicine, massage therapy is now recognized as an effective complementary and, sometimes, alternative healing treatment. Various modalities of massage therapy have been credited as beneficial for a variety of health conditions. Immediate pain relief and long term alleviation of symptoms have been experienced by patients after undergoing reflexology, acupressure and craniosacral therapy. Even regimens of rehabilitation medicine now include deep tissue massage and sports massage. There is even a special technique of pregnancy massage specifically for pregnant women. Those who have no existing health complaints can still enjoy the relaxation and feeling of well being brought about by shiatsu. But how does a masseur become a Licensed Massage Therapist or LMT in the US?

A prospective Licensed Massage Therapist or LMT first needs to get the right education. Massage therapy courses average 500 hours of studies covering massage theory and techniques, physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, first aid and CPR, clinical practice, ethics, business, communication, sanitation and legal issues. In addition to this, the would-be massage therapist needs hands on experience. School standards are maintained through coordination with the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)

Thirty eight states of the US require registration, certification or licensure before a massage therapist can practice. Thirty eight states offer such registration, certification or licensure. Among those, 32 avail of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork certification program where a massage therapist needs to pass certain tests in order to be Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB). Alternatively, the massage therapist may earn the certification by proving to have achieved certain specified levels of training and experience.

Being a registered massage therapist means being listed officially as having certain required educational attainments. Being a certified massage therapist means one has acquired specific criteria of higher education. Being a Licensed Massage Therapist or LMT means one has passed the requirements for the highest regulatory level. This requires a more difficult process.

Thirteen states in the US award licensing based on the MBLEx certification test given by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. Once a massage therapist is licensed in one state, many other states are willing to accept State Endorsement. They need to determine, however, that the written and practical examination given was equivalent to their own or more difficult, and that the licensing authority is as stringent as theirs.

Some states recognize and credit someone who is already licensed in particular related health fields in the same state. This includes holding a license as a medical doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, doctor of chiropractic, registered nurse and licensed practical nurse. In such cases, the state will require only a minimum number of hours of education specifically on massage therapy.

There are various regulations that a massage therapist has to comply with in different towns and counties, as well. They are meant to protect both the practitioners and the public against those who intend to abuse the profession and use it with malice, resulting in demeaning the genuinely professional practitioners. Some towns and counties, therefore, may require a massage therapist to be fingerprinted and to be cleared from contagious diseases including venereal disease. In some areas, a massage therapist is also not allowed to make house calls or to give a massage to a person of the opposite gender.

Today, a Licensed Massage Therapist or LMT has become so trusted by people in need of healing massage therapy such that a successful LMT now often routinely does insurance billing for people in auto accidents. Care for patients and their families has gone beyond the usual call of duty.