Massage licensing and certification can be confusing for anyone interested in becoming a massage therapist. You should know the difference between the license and massage national certification so you can practice.

To become a massage therapist in most states, you need to get a professional license massage. This is usually a board of health, nursing, or a type of statements. Each state has different educational requirements for licensure as a therapist massage. You must pass a specific exam and take a series of classes and hours of massage. There are still some states that do not have all the requirements, but may leave be in progress so please to check thoroughly.

Massage certification is usually what you get when you go to massage school. You will receive a certificate ending when the program ends.

There is also something known as National Certification is very misleading. The National Board Certification for massage and bodywork provides a test that is used in some states as their licensing exam. You will have to pay for the exam and pay for certification. The fact that taking and passing this test does not mean you can practice in any state that uses or requires a licensed massage review.

In other words, you always meet the requirements of each state (which may be different from the same conditions required to take the national certification exam.) Once you pay for National certification will be asked to take some continuing education classes and pay a renewal fee to maintain the certificate.

So for become a professional massage therapist license, you must check your state's requirements and their implementation. If you want to move to another state, you should check the conditions there and to supplement them.

Julie Onofrio a licensed massage practitioner in Seattle WA since 1987 and author of the “Massage Therapy Career Guide: The truth about becoming a massage therapist ” and “How to Find a Job in Massage”.

Visit my website to learn more about the process of Massage Therapy Certification and about licensing for massage careers