How do I become a massage therapist?

The first step in becoming a massage therapist is to find a massage therapy school which specializes in those types of therapy.  Contacting these schools is the next step in how to become a massage therapist. When you contact these schools you will need to ask how long it takes to complete the courses they offer. Be sure to ask these schools about their scheduling options for classes and about options they have regarding financial aid.

Once you have found massage schools in your area, the next step is deciding what type of massage of therapy you want to do. Massage therapists can specialize in sports massage, reflexology, pregnancy massage, or other types of massage techniques offered in spas and massage clinics. Massage specialties practiced in clinics and spas can include deep tissue, Swedish, Thai, hot stone, and shiatsu. Once you research the types of massage therapy offered and what they entail you will then able to select the one which best suits you.

You will want to find out how many hours of hands on massage experience you need in order to complete a school’s given program. Some schools have an in-house massage clinic or spa where students can get the chance to obtain hands on practice. Other schools will require you locate volunteers for you to practice massage therapy with and then sign off on your work.

Find out what the requirements are in your area for becoming a licensed massage therapist. Currently more than 30 states have laws regulating the licensing of massage therapist. Some of cities have additional licensing requirements for massage therapists to meet in order to legally practice massage therapy within the city limits. You can look on the internet or ask your massage schools about the laws in your area.  This will help you map out what you need to do in order to become a massage therapist after you complete your schooling.

Once you have completed massage therapy school and have met the legal requirements for your area you are ready to begin your career as a massage therapist. Some people choose to start their own massage therapy business while others may look into joining an established clinic or spa to start their careers.  If you are looking to go on your own be prepared for the fact that it takes most massage therapists a couple of years to establish a profitable level of clients. If you are looking to join an established massage business then you should establish a relationship with them prior to completing massage school to ensure future job placement.