So, you have decided on becoming a massage therapist in Washington State, but now aren?t sure where to start. Here is a quick and simple guide to the requirements to practice massage:
First, you must graduate from an approved program for massage. A long list of approved schools can be found here. Once you?ve graduated, you will have to pass an examination to receive your license. There are two different exams to choose from: the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or the exam offered by The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
There are certain minimum training requirements each applicant must meet before becoming a massage therapist in Washington State. The minimum 500 hours of training is divided between: 130 hours of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, with a minimum 40 of those hours specifically devoted to kinesiology; 50 hours of pathology; 265 hours of massage theory and practice of massage; and 55 hours of business practice, including things like proper hygiene, human behavior, proper ethics, and record keeping.
These 500 hours of training must take place within a six-month period, and most can be completed through local community colleges. In addition to training, you must be certified in American Red Cross first aid, American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and have taken a four-hour HIV/AIDS education class.
Training and certification can be achieved through both approved schools and special apprenticeship trainers, people who have spent at least five years as licensed massage practitioners.
For more information about massage therapy programs – click here
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