Massage Therapy Credentials – Certifications and Licenses

If you’re considering a career in massage therapy or have already begun, you’ve probably noticed that there are many types of credentials available for massage practitioners. These credentials can help to convey your credibility to prospective clients, referral sources and future employers. As a massage therapist, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the different credentials within the profession.

What are credentials for a professional massage therapist? Credentials for professional massage therapists are the titles and designations which indicate that a practitioner has met the required standards and qualifications, and has demonstrated competency in a specific area. Some massage credentials such as a massage therapy license are typically required. While other credentials such as advanced or specialty certifications are voluntary.

In this article, you’ll learn about the different types of massage therapy credentials. You will learn the difference between a massage license vs. massage certification, and the requirements and benefits of obtaining them. This article also provides an overview of the credentialing process, as well as a list of other healthcare provider credentials that you may encounter in your practice.

Why are Professional Credentials Important?

All professional service providers who practice in a regulated profession must demonstrate their competency to a regulatory agency before they can practice legally. This includes professionals such as massage therapists, estheticians, acupuncturists, attorneys, accountants, and doctors. These professionals must also have a way to convey their competency to potential clients and employers. Massage therapists can demonstrate their competency and expertise through the use of credentials.

What is a credential? A credential is a qualification, achievement or aspect of a person’s background that indicates that the person is suitable for something. It is an external indicator that the professional has demonstrated excellence or expertise, and has mastered a particular set of KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities). The root word “cred-” means “trust, believable or giving authority”, as in credible and credit. In order to earn a credential, a massage practitioner must meet required minimum standards such as education requirements and passing a competency exam. Some certification providers may also require that the applicant has a minimum amount of experience.

Credentialing is a formal process that each healthcare professional, including massage therapists, undergoes to receive a specific credential such as a license or certification. The credentialing process is intended to assure clients and patients that their service provider has met the qualifications, ability, training and licensure to provide them with the highest level of care.

Massage Titles and Designations

Credentials are often expressed using a professional designation. Designations issued by a governmental agency such as a state board of massage are used to indicate the therapist’s license status. For example, the therapist may be designated a LMT (licensed massage therapist), or RMT (registered massage therapist). Other professional designations can be issued by a non-governmental credentialing body, such as a certification board. Examples of these designations for certifications include BCTMB (Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork), CMLDT (Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist), and MMP (Medical Massage Practitioner). The exact designation and title will depend on which agency or organization issues it.

Difference Between Massage Certification vs. Massage License

As indicated in the infographic above, there are two basic types of credentials that are relevant to the profession of massage therapy, massage licenses and massage certifications. It is important to understand the similarities and differences between a massage certification and a massage license.

Both of these types of credentials have requirements to obtain them, and an obligation to adhere to certain rules. For example, issuers of massage licenses and certifications have processes for disciplining any credential holders who violate their rules and regulations. These violations commonly include unethical, unprofessional or illegal practices.

Massage License

A massage license is a professional license which grants the recipient the legal authority to practice a specific profession and work within a designated scope of practice. Most professions require a professional license if others’ safety may be compromised by an incompetent service provider. The purpose of massage licensing is to ensure that the practitioner has met the minimum training and competency requirements in order to be able to safely provide services to the public.

Currently 45 states in the US require massage therapists to be licensed before they may begin offering their services to the public. In addition to being a requirement, the main difference between a massage license and certification is that a license is issued by a governmental agency. In most states, this is their state massage therapy board.

People who want to become a massage therapist and get a massage license in the US must meet certain requirements. These requirements differ slightly from state to state, but commonly include:

• Massage education. A minimum of 500 to 1,000 hours of massage training. This includes instruction in practical hands-on massage skills, anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, pathology for massage therapy, ethics, and other relevant subjects.
• Massage examination. Most states require massage license applicants to pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) as part of the application process. This massage licensing exam is used to verify a candidate’s understanding of topics that are important to function as a competent massage therapist. The MBLEx, which is administered by the FSMTB, covers anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, pathology, effects of massage, client assessment, ethics, and professional practice & business concepts. You can try a free MBLEx practice test to see what kind of questions are on the massage exam. A couple of states use their own state exam instead of the MBLEx (New York State Massage Therapy Examination, and the Hawaii State Massage Licensing Exam).
• Common requirements. Other common requirements for getting a massage license include passing background check, being at least 18 years of age, and taking a CPR certification course.

Titles and designations for licensed massage therapists (vary depending on the state):

• LMT: Licensed Massage Therapist
• LMP: Licensed Massage Practitioner
• RMT: Registered Massage Therapist
• CMT: Certified Massage Therapist

Massage Certification

A professional certification for a massage therapist is a standardized credential which demonstrates that the practitioner has received advanced or specialized training related to the practice of massage or bodywork. Unlike licensing, certification is issued by a non-governmental body, and is a voluntary process. Certification can help therapists who want to specialize in working in a certain massage niche, such as sports massage, working with a specific clientele such as pregnant women or people recovering from cancer or trauma, or a specialty like aromatherapy massage. Similar to licensing, massage certification typically requires continuing education and paying renewal fees every year or two.

The term “board certification” or “board certified” means that a professional has met the requirements of a specific certification board. For massage therapy, this usually refers to a therapist who has passed the certification exam offered by the National Certification Board in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). The exam itself is the Board Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCETMB). The credential that a therapist receives upon successfully passing the exam and fulfilling all other requirements is Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB). This is the most well-known certification in the massage therapy industry (in the US).

The BCETMB is a comprehensive exam that assesses a candidate’s understanding across a broad set of massage-related topics. It covers client assessment & treatment, modalities, applied sciences, massage documentation and communication, ethics and massage business practices. Most candidates will find the BCETMB to be more difficult than the MBLEx since the MBLEx is intended to be an entry-level licensing exam.

Massage certificate

A certificate in massage is not the same thing as a certification. There are some similarities between a certification and a certificate, however a certificate is often used to indicate the completion of a course of study, such as completion of a massage training program or a continuing education (CE) course. Certificates may go by different names such as certificate of completion or certificate of achievement. The main difference is that a certificate does not need to be renewed like a certification does. Some massage training programs are “certificate programs”.

Specialty Massage Certification Credentials

Massage therapists can also choose to pursue a specialized certification. These advanced specialty certifications focus on a specific type of massage or bodywork skill for therapists who want to work with a niche clientele. The NCBTMB used to offer several specialty certificate exams, including sports massage, rehabilitative massage, reflexology and oncology massage, however they discontinued these programs in 2022.

Pros and Cons of Massage Certification

There are many benefits as well as a few drawbacks of seeking an optional certification as a massage therapist. It is important to do your research before investing the time, money and effort into obtaining additional certifications.

Optional massage certifications are only as good as the value they add to your practice and your clients’s lives.

Massage Therapy Education Credentials

There are also credentials related to massage therapy education. People who are considering a career in massage therapy should understand the basics of these education credentials since the duration and scope of massage training varies between programs. *When choosing a massage program, the type of credential and length of program do not necessarily reflect the quality of instruction you will receive. Check out our article on massage school tips to learn how to get the most out of your massage training program.

• Certificate. A massage certificate is a postsecondary vocational credential that is awarded for completion of a massage certificate program. This type of program is typically shorter and more specialized than a degree program. Most certificate programs still meet or exceed the minimum requirements to sit for the MBLEx licensing exam and apply for a massage license in that state.
• Diploma. A massage diploma is a postsecondary vocational credential that is awarded for completion of a massage diploma program. These programs are typically longer than a certificate program, but shorter and more specialized than a degree program.
• Degree. Some massage schools offer an associate’s degree in massage therapy. This type of training program is often longer than certificate or diploma programs. Degree programs usually require completion of general classes as well, such as English, biology, and social sciences.

Massage therapy schools themselves can apply for accreditation, which is a type of credential for educational institutions. Accreditation is a voluntary process, and may be issued by an accrediting agency to publicly recognize a school or program that meets the agency’s standards. The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) oversees the postsecondary accreditation system. One of the most well-known accrediting agencies for massage therapy training programs is the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). There are many other national and regional accrediting organizations that accredit individual massage programs or entire institutions (e.g. community college).

Credibility through Membership in Professional Associations

There are other types of credentials that professional massage therapists may seek which are not based on any special achievement. These involve the credentials of being a member of a professional organization or association for massage therapists. Membership in a respected professional association such as the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) or the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) can convey a degree of trust and commitment to high standards to potential clients and referral sources.

Other Credentials in the Health and Wellness Industry

As a professional massage therapist, you are likely to encounter many other health and wellness professionals. These may include your clients, colleagues, or other healthcare providers who refer clients to you. It is helpful to be familiar with other health professional’s titles and credentials. This is especially useful if you decide to practice massage in a healthcare setting or specialize in medical massage therapy.

Learning these titles and designations can help if you need to send any written communication or document this in your SOAP notes. The table below lists some of the most common medial provider titles and abbreviations, but there are many more. Most individual states in the US determine the title and designation which practitioners in that state must use.

Credential / Title	Designation / Abbreviation
Medical Doctor	MD
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine	DO
Doctor of Nursing Practice	DNP
Nurse Practitioner	NP
Registered Nurse	RN
Licensed Practical Nurse	LPN
Naturopathic Doctor	ND
Physician Assistant	PA
Certified Nurse Practitioner	CNP
Physical Therapist	PT
Physical Therapy Assistant	PTA
Occupational Therapist	OT
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant	COTA
Speech Language Pathologist	SLP
Doctor of Dental Surgery	DDS
Doctor of Podiatry	DPM
Doctor of Chiropractic	DC
Emergency Medical Technician	EMT
Athletic Trainer	ATC
Registered Dietitian	RD
Licensed Acupuncturist	LAc or L.Ac.
Doctor of Oriental Medicine	DOM or OMD

FAQ about Massage Certifications and Licenses

Do I need to take the MBLEx or NCBTMB exam?

If you are seeking to get a massage therapy license in the US, then you will most likely be required to pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Licensing Boards (FSMTB). Find out if your state requires the MBLEx. If you are already licensed and want to demonstrate an advanced level of general competency in therapeutic massage, then you should consider taking the BCETMB which is offered by the NCBTMB.

What is a massage therapist certification?

Massage therapist certification is an optional designation that licensed massage therapists can pursue to demonstrate advanced expertise and commitment to their profession. Unlike licensure, which is required to legally practice, certification is voluntary and often sought after to enhance a therapist’s credentials. Board Certification in massage therapy typically refers to the certification process offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), which sets a higher standard of practice. Additionally, massage therapists can choose to become certified in one or more specialties or therapeutic modalities, such as sports massage, structural integration, lymphatic massage, medical massage, cupping therapy, lomi lomi, Shiatsu, and many others. These massage therapist certifications allow therapists to specialize in specific areas of practice, offering clients a broader range of therapeutic options and demonstrating a commitment to continued professional development.

Should I get an advanced massage certification?

It is good to seek advanced training for your own professional development and personal edification. But before enrolling in an expensive certification program or pursuing an expensive designation, make sure that it will produce real benefits for your practice rather than just add more letters behind your name. The the truth is that most clients won’t know what your credentials mean. They won’t know what you had to do to earn them, or how it will benefit them. And the validity of certifications can vary significantly. Some certifications are very hard to earn and they signify that you’ve demonstrate expertise in an area. While other certificates can be earned very quickly and easily and don’t mean very much. There are many advanced massage skills that you can learn by just taking a few continuing education classes and practicing, without going through the certification process. You may want to consider starting with this, and then pursue the certification later, if you still think it is worth it for you and your clients.

Is a massage license the same as a business license?

No. A massage license is a professional license. You will need this in order to legally provide massage or bodywork services in most states in the US. A business license and business permit grant permission to start and operate a business in a specific jurisdiction (e.g. state, county, city).