Knowing how to become a massage therapist in Texas is the first step towards a successful career in massage therapy.
Before we go to the steps on how to become a massage therapist in Texas, let us look are what massage therapy really is.
Massage therapy means the manipulation of soft tissue by hand or through a mechanical or electrical apparatus for the purpose of body massage.
The term includes effleurage(stroking), petrissage(kneading), tapotement(percussion), compression, vibration, friction, nerve strokes, and Swedish gymnastics.
Massage therapy may include the use of oil, lubricant, salt glows, heat lamps, hot and cold packs, or tub, shower, jacuzzi, sauna, steam or cabinet baths.
Massage therapy can be termed a health care service when the massage is for therapeutic purposes, and a licensed massage therapist may receive referrals from a physician to administer massage therapy. Read on to see the steps on how to become a massage therapist in Texas.
The Massage Therapy Career At a Glance
+ To become a massage therapist, 500 education hours are required in order to be licensed.
+ You must renew your license when it is due.
+ 6 continuing education hours will be required to renew your license.
+ The average salary for massage therapists in Texas is $45,090 ($21.68/hour). This is higher than the national average of $42,820 ($20.59/hour).
+ 32% job increase is predicted between 2016–2026 for massage therapists. Also, this is also higher than the expected national growth of 22%.
The State of Texas and Massage Therapists
Throughout the 268,581 square miles of the Lone Star state, approximately 26,300 massage therapists work to help the more than 27.6 million people in their state find relief from pain, rehabilitation from injuries, and comfort in the midst of stress and anxiety.
With 2,099,451 people in Houston, 1,327,407 people in San Antonio, and 1,197,816 people in Dallas, massage therapists who work in Texas can find an engaged environment to open, continue, or join a massage therapy business as the business is becoming lucrative.
Job opportunities for massage therapists in Texas include spas, salons, gyms, wellness and health practices of all kinds, country clubs, sports teams and events, hotels, resorts and more.
A lot of times many massage therapists choose to open their own businesses. They can see their clients in their homes or private offices.
Where can I study massage therapy?
There are a lot of approved massage therapy schools in Texas that can help you get started on what you may be looking for in a massage therapy education.
Schools such as Academy for Massage Therapy Training and South Texas Vocational Technical Institute are examples of accredited schools in Texas where you can be trained in massage therapy.
Students at Academy for Massage Therapy Training learn massage therapy education with a specialization in deep tissue massage.
Meanwhile, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute is one of the leading massage schools in Texas where students get a chance to learn from experienced industry professionals while focusing on hands-on training.
Students gain experience in Swedish massage, hydrotherapy, and clinical techniques.
How much do I earn as a massage therapist in Texas?
Some massage therapists are able to earn a full-time salary working only part-time.
The annual mean salary for a massage therapist in Texas is $40,090 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries in the Lone Star State range from $17,500 to $67,520 before tips.
However, massage therapists who work in Corpus Christi have the opportunity to earn a higher salary, with the average for this city at $44,550 annually.
Texas ranks third in the nation for the highest employment of massage therapists. A career in massage therapy promotes health and healthier choices in massage clients.
How long to become a massage therapist in Texas
In order to become a massage therapist in Texas, 500 education hours are required.
The Texas Department of State Health Services requires at least 125 hours of this to be in the Swedish massage therapy theory and technique.
There are other classes and a 50-hour internship must be completed.
How much does it cost to become a massage therapist in Texas
If you’re ready to move into your career as a massage therapist in Texas, you must register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Usually, the registration fee is $117, but it is advised to check if there is a change in the registration fee.
Also, you have to consider your cost of education as part of the cost of becoming a massage therapist in Texas. Therefore, choose a Massage therapy school and see their tuition. At Texas Massage Academy, you can get programs with Tuition between $ 475.00 and $1,055.23.
How many months does it take to become a massage therapist
Your massage therapy school is by far the most crucial component of your career success as a massage therapist.
Without massage therapy education, you will likely have no authority or credibility.
It is your doorway to formal training and certification.
Massage therapy licensing is obtained through vocational school programs. Massage therapy schools can take as little as 5 months to complete.
This means that instead of needing a four-year degree to begin working in the industry, you could easily have your certified training completed in as little as 5 months.
Below are the steps of how to become a massage therapist in Texas.
Best Steps on How to Become a Massage Therapist in Texas
- Complete a Massage Therapy program
- Pass the Massage Therapist Examination
- Submit an application
- Get Licensed
- Renew your License when due
Complete a Massage Therapy program
For you to obtain your massage therapy program, applicants are required to complete an approved course of at least 500 credit hours.
The Texas Department of State Health Services requires at least 125 hours of this to be in the Swedish massage therapy theory and technique.
Other classes to expect are in the following areas:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Kinesiology
- Pathology
- Hydrotherapy
- Massage therapy laws
- Business practices
- Professional ethics
- Health and Hygiene
There are specific areas of instruction that the course must include, including 50 hours or more of an internship.
In this internship, students perform massages in a student clinic under the supervision of a massage therapy instructor.
Completing your education is the first step on how to become a massage therapist in Texas.
Pass the Massage Therapist Examination
Following your education in the profession of massage therapy, you will need to pass either the NCETMB or the MBLEx national certification examination.
Keep $87 for your examination fee.
There are testing locations throughout the country, and you’ll need to submit an application and a fee to be approved for testing.
The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination information can be found on the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board’s website.
Submit an application
Once you have gone for the Examination, the next step is to apply for the License.
The cost for initial licensure is $117 for your application.
The current application is available via the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Get Licensed
Once you have completed the aforementioned steps, the state can then issue a massage therapist license and you can be employed as a Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas.
Renew your License when due
You will also have to take at least 6 hours of continuing education courses every year between your renewals.
When you renew, you will submit a $106 fee with your application and proof of continuing education.
Applicants can apply for new licenses and renew licenses online.
TDLR strongly encourages you to take advantage of the opportunity to apply or renew online.
The process is secure and easy to use – and faster than submitting paper-based applications and supporting documents, especially as TDLR deals with significant staffing issues.
+ Applications submitted online can take 30 days to process once TDLR receives all required documents.
+ Applications submitted by mail may face significant delays, which may take up to 90 days once TDLR receives all required documents.
Conclusion
Do you want to work with your hands? Do you find helping people interesting? If so, then massage therapy might be the ideal vocation for you.
Hospitals, clinics and private practices are utilizing massage therapy as part of their treatment plans, the demand for trained massage therapists has increased dramatically.
Therefore, not only do massage therapists help people feel better, but they often get to work around their own schedules, and many even open up their own practices.
All these make massage therapy, a career option that you should consider. That’s where we will call it a wrap on how to become a massage therapist in Texas.
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Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations
- Website: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations
- Email: massage@dshs.state.tx.us
- Call: 512-463-6599
- Fax: 512-463-9468
Now that you have seen how to become a massage therapist in Texas, what are your thoughts on the listed steps?