Learn the skilled art of massage.
In 2005, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) estimated that there are between 265,000 and 300,000 practicing massage therapists in the United States. AMTA further estimates that massage therapy as an industry is worth between $6 billion and $11 billion a year. If you want to get your hands on a piece of this rapidly growing industry, certification is a must. While you can take courses that focus on a specific portion of the body, you must first learn the techniques of full body massage. The process to learn massage can be quite lengthy, but once completed can be a major payoff.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Find a training program. Search online for massage schools or training programs in your area. Verify that the school is legitimate by checking the AMTA's online database of accredited schools. Pick the program that is right for you. Many schools and training programs offer night or day classes and some may even offer weekend only classes.
2. Fulfill the certification requirements. The AMTA recommends that massage students complete minimum of 500 hours of training. Training must be supervised and take place in class. The AMTA also recommends that anatomy and physiology as well as elective subjects be included in the training process. Each state has its own certification requirements so complete the specific requirements for your state as well.
3. Become certified. Take and pass the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Take any additional tests that your state may have to become certified. Acquire your license if required by your state.
4. Continue your education. After you have finished learning the basics of full body massage, you can enroll in specialty courses geared towards a specific part of the body or a more advanced form of massage. The AMTA requires that its members must complete 48 hours of continuing education courses every four years. These courses can be taken online, on site or via bookwork sent in by mail. You can take a continuing education course in aromatherapy, prenatal massage, deep tissue massage and many more elements of massage not covered in basic massage school.
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