If you are interested in becoming a professional massage therapist, you’ll need to acquire a certificate or diploma from a state-accredited school. Coursework can include physiology, anatomy, body mechanics, and medical terminology. Many states also require a certain number of direct experience hours before a license can be issued. To meet these requirements, you can choose to work as an intern or rent a booth in a local spa. To complete your training, you will need to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination to become licensed.
After training, you can pursue an array of career options, such as independent massage therapy or instructional opportunities. Among the many creative careers available to massage therapists, most begin their careers by working in spas. To succeed in this profession, you must be willing to take risks, but you should be aware of your limitations. Ultimately, your goal is to provide a great experience to your clients. The first step toward success is to market yourself. You must establish your brand. This will help differentiate you from other massage therapists and attract more clients.
Getting licensed to work as a massage therapist is essential for your future career. Depending on your state, you may be required to take an entry-level exam before you can practice. To prepare for the exam, you must complete a certain number of hours of training. The number of hours required to take the test varies from state to state, but most states require 500 hours or more. This is not enough to practice as a professional massage therapist.