One of my pet peeves or rather passions is writing about the licensing and legislation issues that are occurring in the massage profession.
The problem is that we as a profession have not defined ourselves so now there are insurance companies and legislators who are doing it for us.
I have been collecting information from the government websites on massage licensing and have found such a discrepancy in how massage is licensed. Some states regulate schools, some don’t. Some still require fingerprinting and STD testing. Massage is generally defined using terms that imply Swedish Massage is being done. Some include modalities like Reiki, Reflexology, Structural Integration. Why does someone who does the energetic work of Reiki have to know about Swedish Massage?
On my website www.massage-career-guides.com and on this blog I am attempting to gather information on just what it means for each different kind of massage therapist to practice in each state – not just what the laws are but what are the implications and how does licensing or the lack of licensing influence the ability to be a successful massage therapist where you live?
By collecting this information,I hope that we can learn as a profession just what we need to do to define ourselves in a professional matter. I actually think if we did that for ourselves we wouldn’t need licensing at all. (Yes I know that is only my opinion and it is very different from everyone else thinking that we need more education and more laws to protect the public. It is the massage schools and associations creating this idea without anything to back up their theories.
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Wow, so glad I found this site. I’m actually looking to move to either Washington or California, and it seems that’s what’s being discussed.
Jillian-
I’ve been e-mailing the Washington Board of Massage Therapists. They are pretty clueless people. I am from Wisconsin. There are a couple Wisconsin schools on their approved list, but not mine. When asked about getting my school approved, they told me to contact the OTHER Wisconsin schools and ask how they did it. ? It’s like, wait, you’re on the BOARD and you don’t even know how to get a school approved? It’s bureaucratic bullshit. They also recommended I transfer to a school there. Well, no, I have MORE education that WA schools offer. What good would that do, other than put money in their pockets?
In terms of LA- it’s the other place I’m looking to relocate- they seem even more clueless. There isn’t a good government website that lays it all out. The California certification vs city licensing is very confusing, and I’ve read that not all cities accept the California state certification. Ok, so how pointless.
We really do need better organization. I went into this field for a number of reasons, one of them being able to take my skill anywhere.
You have to check with the city of Santa Monica to begin with. There is no such thing as a CA state massage license.
Julie
Hopefully you can help. I am moving to the LA area/Santa Monica at the end of the year and need some clarity on the licensing. Will my FLA license and NCBTMB certification transfer over without additional requirements? Do they really require a written statement about communicable / venereal diseases? Is there such a thing as a california State License? I have been a Fla LMT for 7 years and would like to start a successful career upon arrival. Thank you so much for any addt’l info.
You would have to contact the WA State Board directly, but most likely yes – if you school is not on the approved list you will probably need to have more classes.
National Certification doesn’t really mean you can work any where…oops – did they forget to tell you that????
Regulation of Schools?
what exactly does this mean? I have completed 600 hours, I am nationally certified, I am a member of the AMTA, but my school is not on the Washington list, does that mean i do not qualify to work there?
Yes…how far we have come
since I started 12 years ago!
I went to CSMT Class # 33.
Thank you and Blessings on
your work…I certainly do
love mine.
Robert
http://www.chicagoholisticmedicine.com