Massage Therapy Programs in Georgia
Massage therapy can be a great career option for those who enjoy working closely with others to bring healing and promote overall health and well-being. In the State of Georgia, the road to becoming a massage therapist generally starts when a prospective student enrolls in an approved Georgia massage therapy school.
Find Massage Therapy Programs in Georgia
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
Georgia requires that aspiring massage therapists complete a minimum of 500 hours of education at an approved massage school. A massage therapy curriculum generally includes an introductory course as well as hands on classes that reach a variety a massage techniques. After successfully graduating from a massage therapy school, aspiring therapists must obtain a license before practicing professionally.
Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements in Georgia
Prior to applying for a license to practice massage therapy, students must pass the MBLEx exam, which is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, or the NCETMB/NCETM exams, which are administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Upon successfully fulfilling the exam requirements, aspiring massage therapists must pay the state licensing fee of $125. A renewal fee of $85 must be paid every two years in order to keep the massage therapy license active.
Employment Outlook for Massage Therapists in Georgia
On average, massage therapists in Georgia earn slightly more than $42,000 yearly according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The therapists who earn the highest salaries work in physicians’ offices, nursing care facilities, technical and trade schools, specialty hospitals, and other ambulatory health care services. Industries that have the highest concentration of massage therapists include personal care facilities, physicians’ offices, other healthcare practitioners’ offices, amusement and recreational industries, and traveler accommodation services.
Starting a career in massage can be a great path for a young student to take or a rewarding career change for an adult who desires to finish or return to school. Opportunities continue to expand as massage therapy gains greater acceptance among Western medicine settings. Furthermore, massage therapists often enjoy the autonomy, dynamic work environments, and diverse clientele their jobs often bring. Overall, massage therapy can be a rewarding career that brings healing and a better quality of life to those who are served by massage therapists.