New Massage Therapy License Procedures for Michigan in 2014

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With the New Year here, new licensure standards will be put in place for practicing massage therapy in the State of Michigan. In order to prepare students for a successful career in Massage Therapy, career programs are designed to ensure that graduates may become eligible to practice in the field.

 Massage Therapy License | Dorsey Schools

Effective November 29, 2014, Massage Therapy program graduates must meet several specific requirements to obtain a license in Michigan as a massage therapist. First, they must have a high school diploma or equivalent, be 18 years of age or older and must be of good moral character as defined by law. As Massage Therapy is a health profession license, all applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check and submit fingerprints for a scan reviewed by the Michigan State Police and/or the Health Professions Division. They must successfully pass an examination as designated by the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy.  These include passing scores from the Federation of State Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork’s National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).

In addition to passing an exam, applicants must complete one of the following two criteria:

  • A supervised curriculum in a massage therapy school that has been approved by the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy not less than 500 hours of classroom instruction.
  • At least 500 hours of course and clinical massage education in a substantially equivalent program in another state, country, or jurisdiction territory, or providence that, on a case-by-case review, is found by the board to be sufficient.

Continuing education will also be required; the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy suggests licensees continue to monitor the Massage Therapy page on their website at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense for more information.

Dorsey Schools Massage Therapy program offers 900 hours of classroom time and supervised clinics, exceeding the State of Michigan licensure requirements.  Dorsey Schools is fully committed to preparing students for a successful career in the Massage Therapy field.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.dorsey.edu/disclosures.php.