How to become a massage therapist

Massage therapists can make a good living and also get the opportunity to help those who are in pain and in need of their services. Anyone who wants to do this sort of work must earn a license before they can begin practicing and it is necessary to learn how to go about obtaining one.

Licensure and Certification for Massage Therapy

The first thing which you must do when trying to become a professional massage therapist is to earn the necessary license and certificate which will legally allow you to do this type of work. Each state has its own individual set of requirements when it comes to massage therapy licensing.

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offers two different types of certifications, including:

• National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB)

Learn as much as you can about Massage Therapy

Although you will have to study about massage therapy and related topics in order to receive your license from the state, it is also a good idea to do some initial research in order to get a better idea as to what this job is really all about. Take the time to find out what types of massage techniques there are and practice on friends. By taking the time to do this you will be able to prepare yourself before receiving formal training and education.

Specialties

Lots of massage therapists specialize in specific areas of massage therapy, such as reflexology, acupressure, and hot stone massage. By choosing one specialty it is much more likely that you will be taken seriously as a professional who knows exactly what they are doing. There are lots of these specialties to consider, so take the time to do the necessary research before making a final decision of any kind.

Select the right Training Program

Another step along the path to becoming a professional massage therapist involves choosing the right training program to go through so you can learn everything you need for this type of work. A majority of massage schools will provide you with the basic skills you need, including for example how to do a Swedish massage. You will be able to choose from a variety of specialties, so take the time to think about which one you are most interested in.

You will also want to do as much research as possible online into different schools in your area that offer massage training programs. The program that you decide to go through will be important, so make sure that you choose one that is fully accredited and highly reputable. The last thing you want is to waste both your time and money, so make sure that you do you research before deciding where to go.

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