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Becoming a Professional Massage Therapist
2/13/2015
Thinking about becoming a professional massage therapist or a masseuse? Doing so can open many new career options for you. Massage therapists can work in at a day spa, a salon, in a mall, on a cruise ship, or at a gym. There are many different options that this certification brings, but before you can start offering massages for money, there are several things you need to do.
The first step is to decide if you really want a job as a masseuse. It’s not for everyone—you’re going to have to be comfortable touching others. You’ll also need to be open, patient, empathic, and caring. A good masseuse is more than just a physical experience. You also have to put people at ease and make them feel relaxed.
Learn about massages and what it means to be a massage therapist. Look at courses and other training programs, find out what it takes to get licensed in your state, and look at the job market in your area. Decide if you’re going to specialize in an area like Swedish massage or sports massage. This can help you decide which training program you enroll in.
Now that you know what you want to do and what it takes to get licensed, start ticking off those requirements. Take the necessary courses and get in all of the practice hours you’ll need. Many licensing boards require 500 hours or more of supervised massage training, so be prepared to put some time in. Becoming a masseuse isn’t something you do overnight, and it’s not a program you can do online. You have to put in the time with a supervisor.
Apply for your license. This often requires taking an exam and passing a practical test where you give a massage.
Now all you have to do is find a job! That may be easier said than done, but it’s not actually as difficult as you think.
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