Oklahoma Legislature makes massage therapy license mandatory - Tulsa World

[massage]

Massage Therapy has become a more important career in the health and wellness professions. The number of practitioners entering the field and clients turning to massage therapy for rehabilitation and stress relief continues to increase. To ensure the general safety and well-being of clients, and to promote a consistent level of training and professionalism, the state of Oklahoma now requires that all massage therapists be licensed in order to practice. The passage of this law, enacted in May 2017, added a further requirement for those entering or already practicing in the massage therapy profession.

At present, Clary Sage College, a branch of Community Care College, is the only major institution in the Tulsa-area offering coursework to qualify for licensure. Additionally, Clary Sage is a “NCBTMB Assigned School,” meaning that it has been researched and approved by National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. This distinction is important because it proves the school is legitimate, operates legally, and meets their minimum curriculum requirements.

“Our program includes 820 credit hours and prepares students to take the state Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx),” says Derek Ball, head of the Massage Therapy department at Clary Sage. “Once students complete the course, pass the state required exam and receive their license, they also have enough credit hours to take the test to qualify for national board certification if they wish.”

The program at Clary Sage spans 37 weeks and includes both coursework and clinical hours. The $195 cost of taking the state required exam is included in the total cost of the program. Students can enter the program easily since a new class begins every Monday.

Until this year, Oklahoma was one of only five states that did not regulate massage therapists. Legislators cited several reasons for drafting the new law, including:

• Establishing standards of minimum competency

• Ensuring therapists are qualified to represent themselves to the public as licensed therapists

• Helping consumers identify the responsibilities and services unique to a massage therapist

• Enhancing public safety by enforcing disciplinary actions against non-compliant practitioners

• Setting a formal grievance process for consumers

To be licensed by the state, applicants must be 18 years of age and produce a certificate and transcript of completion from a massage school with at least five hundred (500) hours of education at a state-approved school. Additionally, students must pass the MBLEx, carry liability insurance, and pass a criminal background check to practice.

Educators view the new law as an important step in recognizing massage therapists as professionals in the healthcare field. “Licensure offers the therapist acceptance as a professional who’s fulfilled a prescribed curriculum and proven themselves as competent in the field,” says Derek Ball. “It demonstrates that they have the knowledge and the skill to properly care for your body and keep you safe and protected.” He adds, “Certification also provides a level of confidence for the consumer that the therapist they choose is ethical and skilled in their practice.”

As the health benefits of massage therapy gain more recognition, career opportunities are expanding to sports clinics, fitness centers, high-end spas and chiropractic offices. The U.S. Department of Labor projected that the job outlook for Massage Therapy was expected to grow by 22% between 2014 and 2024.

Students enrolling in the Massage Therapy program at Clary Sage College will find a high quality, hands-on program, taught by industry professionals, which fulfills the state licensing requirement. Just last year, their massage therapy program posted an 85% job placement rate.

To get started, call 918-298-8200 or email admissions@clarysagecollege.com.

Let's block ads! (Why?)