Begin a fulfilling career in massage therapy with the Pacific Center for Awareness & Bodywork in Hawaii. Learn about various massage modalities, the benefits of a massage therapy career, and how our trauma-informed, neuroscience-based training in Kauai can prepare you for licensure and professional success.

How does one get a massage therapy license?

As the current director of a massage therapy school in Hawaii and the former director of a massage therapy school in Oregon, I am intimately familiar with the ins and outs of this process.  My students come from all over the country, and so I’ve had to become familiar with the requirements in all of the states in order to create a program that meets or exceeds those requirements in most of those states.  Those details vary widely, but the following three steps provide the outline of the process for everyone.

Studying massage therapy in Hawaii can offer several advantages to students who are interested in pursuing a career in massage therapy. Because Hawaii is located further from any continent than any other place in the world, and because of its subtropical climate and unique culture, it can often feel like being in a foreign country and thus has many of the same advantages of studying abroad.  Here are some potential benefits.

Why Choose Accelerated Massage Therapy Programs? If you’re looking into massage therapy programs and would like to get your massage therapy license as soon as possible, then enrolling in an accelerated massage therapy program might be your best option.  The length of massage therapy programs in the US varies from about 6 months to about 2 years.  Some of the difference in program length is due to a wide variety of program hours, varying from 500 to 1000, but the main difference is that of full-time vs. part-time engagement.

How do you choose a massage school that is right for you? There are over 300 massage schools in the United States, and they are vary from each other in many respects that are often not apparent.  So, let’s look at eight key decision points for choosing a massage school, starting with the simple and concrete items and ending with more abstract items.

Which states need CPR, First Aid, and background checks to get a massage therapy license?

Read each of the sections below to see which states require CPR, First Aid, and background checks to get a massage therapy license.   Go to our Ultimate Guide for Getting a Massage Therapy License to learn more.

Which states require CPR to get a massage therapy license?

Approximately half of the states that regulate massage include CPR in their licensing requirements.  The following list is as of May 2023.  Always check with your state’s licensing agency for the latest requirements.

Attend a Massage Therapy School

You can apply to a massage school in any state.  Most schools will require you to be 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent.  Because the licensing requirements vary widely between states, you should apply to a school that meets the requirements of the state that you plan to get licensed in.  An in-state school will always work, but for an out-of-state school you’ll want to make sure that the school not only meets the requirement for total program hours but also meets any requirements for specific topics within the program, such as anatomy, kinesiology, ethics, etc.  There is no need to attend an accredited school (except in RI).  State requirements (and massage school programs) vary from 500 total hours (including CA, CO, ID, MI, NC, NV, TN, TX) to 1000 total hours (NE, NY), but most are around 600-700 hours (including AK, AZ, OR, MA, NM, PA, WA).  If you think you’ll ever live in another state, it’s best to attend a program whose hours will be sufficient for most other states (think 750 hours) as it will be difficult to supplement hours later.  To find out requirements for any state, go directly to that state’s website rather than any 3rd party website that may have outdated or incomplete information.  For more info on choosing a massage school, check out The Ultimate Guide for Choosing a Massage School.

Here are the URLs for the massage licensing board for all 50 states: