Massage therapists use their hands to massage the soft tissues in the body. This therapy can help treat pain, stress and sports related injuries and promote good health, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most massage therapists attend vocational programs in massage therapy. Even if your state doesn't require it, achieving national certification in massage therapy has many advantages, including more job opportunities and the ability to earning higher wages.
Instructions
1. Check out the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). This organization offers certification to individuals who have completed at least 500 hours of massage therapy instruction and can pass a standardized NCBTMB exam. Request a study guide and application materials by contacting the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Once you pass the exam, you must also pledge to uphold the organization's code of ethics, which can be found on their website (see References). As of 2010, the cost to take this exam was $225.
2. Check out the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX). The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards also offers a certification exam, the MBLEX. You may apply to take this exam online (see References). It's available to all massage therapists. As of 2010, exam fees were $195.
3. Contact your state for local requirements. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in some states achieving national certification also makes you eligible for state certification. Contact your state's licensing board to determine local rules and regulations.
4. Renew your national certification. The NCETMB certification must be renewed every two years. The cost for renewal, as of 2010, was $100. The MBLEX must also be renewed every two years. The fee to renew this certification was $100, as of 2010. Contact the appropriate organization and request a renewal application.
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