Changing Your Career Path: Is Massage Therapy School a Must?

Massage therapists earn a median wage of $46,910 per year. But the top 10% of massage therapists can make much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top 10% of earners in this field make at least $77,600.

Are you considering pursuing a career in massage therapy? If so, you need to do a cost-benefit analysis to determine if it is worth it to switch from your current career to a new one.

If you are wondering if massage therapy school is a requirement to enter this field, this article is for you. Keep reading to learn how to become a massage therapist this year!

Do Massage Therapists Have to Go to School?

Massage therapists must graduate high school to enter the field, but they do not necessarily need to get an undergraduate degree. Instead, you must take courses through an accredited massage training program or school.

The Omaha School of Massage and Healthcare and the Myotherapy Institute both offer massage therapy programs. You may also consider the Universal College of Healing Arts or the Midwest School of Massage.

In Nebraska, massage therapists need 1,000 hours of in-class training to get their license. The program they enroll in must be longer than 9 months in duration. It should include a combination of the following types of classes:

• Human anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Massage therapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Health services management
• Hygiene
• Electives

Once you complete your 1,000 hours, you can register to take a state licensing exam.

What State Licensure Exam Do Massage Therapists Take?

To get your massage therapy license, you must take and pass the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards examination. This examination is also known as the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork also offers state licensing exams. Nebraska has approved the NCETMB, NCETM, and ACE exams for aspiring massage therapists.

All aspiring massage therapists must also register for and pass an open-book Jurisprudence Exam with a 75% score or higher.

Are There Other Requirements to Become a Massage Therapist?

Yes, there are additional requirements to become a massage therapist in Nebraska, including that you are at least 19 years of age. You must also have a CPR certification and pass a criminal background check.

As long as you meet all these requirements, you can become a License Massage Therapist (LMT) in Nebraska.

How Much Does It Cost to Register for a Massage Therapist License?

It costs $110 to register for a Massage Therapist license in Nebraska. Then, it costs $265 to register for the MBLEx. You will have to pay an additional $265 if you need to retake the exam.

It also costs $110 to renew your license. Massage therapists must renew their licenses every other year in Nebraska.

Do Licensed Massage Therapists Need Continuing Education?

Massage therapists have to renew their licenses every other year. Licenses expire on November 1st of odd years. So, the next license expiration date is November 1st, 2023, and the last expiration date was November 1st, 2021.

To renew their licenses, massage therapists have to earn hours’ worth of continuing education (CE). You can only take half of these classes online. The other half must be in-person courses.

FAQs

Now that you understand more about getting your massage therapy license, we want to answer some of the web’s most-searched questions about the licensed massage therapist career path.

Keep reading for the answers you’ve been looking for.

Can You Provide Massage in Nebraska Without a License?

No, you cannot work as a massage therapist in Nebraska if you do not have a license.

You can’t legally provide massages at your home as a side gig, either. The state requires massage therapists to practice at a licensed massage therapy center. This definition includes hospitals, nursing homes, and nail salons.

How Long Is Massage Therapy School?

Massage therapy school is a one to two-year program. Remember that the program you enroll in has to last at least nine months to qualify.

According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, one semester credit hour is equal to 15 hours of the required 1,000 hours of training.

The average course offers three credit hours per semester. That means one course will earn you 45 hours of the required 1,000 hours of training. In all, you will need around 22 total classes to get your license.

How Much Does Massage Therapy School Cost?

Massage therapy training can cost as little as $5,000–$7,000 or more, depending on the program. However, this is only the cost of tuition.

You will also have to factor in the cost of room and board, textbooks, and supplies. Put aside at least $600-$750 for textbooks and supplies.

Another cost factor to consider is buying a massage table. Some programs include access to your own massage table in your tuition. Others may require you to purchase one separately, which can run you $200 to over $3,000.

How Much Do Massage Therapists Make in Nebraska?

Massage therapists in Nebraska make more than the national average of $55,120 per year. The top 10% of earners in Nebraska make over $83,000 per year as massage therapists.

Are There Other Ways to Become a Massage Therapist in Nebraska?

Yes, the other way to become a massage therapist in Nebraska is through reciprocity. Reciprocity means that another state in the US has issued you a massage therapist license.

However, some states do not require 1,000 hours’ worth of training. For example, the state of Texas only requires massage therapists to have 500 hours of training.

If this is the case for you, you will have to make up the remaining hours. Keep in mind that for each year of full-time massage therapy practice, you can earn 200 hours toward your training.

Start Your Massage Therapy Career With Faces Spa

Massage therapy school is the only hurdle you need to overcome to become a licensed massage therapist in Nebraska. Once you earn your license, you could make more than $83,000 per year.

Are you searching for a day spa where you can use your massage therapy skills? Faces Spa in Omaha is always looking for licensed massage therapists to join our team. Book an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 384-8400 to benefit from some of these amazing results.