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The Idaho Board of Massage Therapy issues licenses for those who want to become massage therapist professionals.
They need to meet certain criteria:
- Completing certain education
- Passing the appropriate exam
- Pass a background screening
Article Table of Contents
Education
Future professionals are required to attend relevant programs that last for at least 500 hours.
These programs must include both a theoretical part and practice.
Popular Programs
They must cover:
- A minimum of 125 hours of body systems coursework
- Anatomy
- physiology,
- kinesiology
- 200 hours must cover assessment, theory, and application of massage and bodywork
- 25 hours of business and ethics
- 40 hours of pathology
110 hours must cover supervised clinical work, but not before a minimum of 20% of the required instruction hours have been completed.
Candidates can also complete this requirement out of state, however, the standards of the school must meet those in Idaho.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| American Institute of Clinical Massage | 4365 Inverness Drive Post Falls, ID 83854 |
| Coeur d'Alene Massage School | 1625 North 4th Street #203 Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 |
| College of Massage Therapy | Bingham Memorial Hospital 98 Poplar Street Blackfoot, ID 83221 |
| Idaho School of Massage Therapy | 3551 East Overland Rd. Meridian, ID 83642 |
| Idaho State University ISU | 921 South 8th Ave. Stop 8380 Pocatello, ID 83209 |
| Intermountain College of Natural Health | 206 Martin Street, Suite A Twin Falls, ID 83301 |
| International Institute of Massage Therapy | 1110 South Blvd. Idaho Falls, ID 83402 |
| Massage Training Center | 2200 S. Midland Blvd. Nampa, ID 83686 |
| North Idaho Massage Academy - Mt. Baldy Professional Bldg. | 1315 West Hwy 2, #4 Sandpoint, ID 83864 |
| OZ School of Massage | 1657 Reed Lane Soda Springs, ID 83276 |
| Rexburg College of Massage Therapy | 669 Pioneer Rd. #500 Rexburg, ID 83440 |
| Three Oaks Academy | 211 West State Street Boise, ID 83702 |
| Twin Falls Institut of Holistic Studies | 3999 US 93 Filer, ID 83328 |
Examination
Once the education is completed, the candidates can contact either the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork for an exam.
There are several exams accepted for issuing a license, though most of them aren’t offered anymore.
Some of these exams are:
- Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
- National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM)
- National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB)
Currently, passing the MBLEx is enough to obtain the license.
This exam has multiple choices and can be taken either in English or Spanish.
Those interested must apply for the exam, and the process can be done either online or by mail.
Along with the application form, they also must also pay a fee of $195 and confirm they read the handbook for candidates.
Those accepted to take the exam, receive an ATT and they must schedule the test through Pearson Vue.
Massage therapists can choose to take the NCTBTMB Board Certification Examination which grants an extra certification, with increased career options.
For this certification, candidates must prove they:
- attended a minimum of 750 hours of education
- have at least 250 hours of professional work experience
Past certification results will also be accepted, including the ones obtained before a license was required in Idaho.
Application For the License
The Bureau of Occupational Licenses’ website has the application form candidates need to fill in, though these can also be requested in writing.
The form must be notarized.
Needed documents:
- Official transcripts from the school
- Proof of minimum 18 years of age – with either one: driver’s license, passport, military ID, or birth certificate
- Minimum high school diploma or GED
- Pay the $125 fee -$50 for the application and $75 for the initial license
- Exam results
The legal background of the candidate will also be taken into consideration by the Board, and copies of charges and orders will also be needed, where these exist.
There are about 3 or 4 Board meetings per year, and applications must be sent in at least 1 week before these meetings.
The Board publishes the dates of the meetings on its website.
In some cases, the results from the exam may not be available.
These files might be approved without the results, but the Board must receive the results as well.
Complete files will receive priority.
The Board’s answer might be ready within 2 or 4 weeks after the meeting, though the candidates with a legal past might be called in for an interview.
Out-of-State Applicants
Massage therapists coming from a different state also need to apply for a license.
The request, however, should come from the Board of the state in question.
The request has to have the state’s regulations and related laws attached.
Massage therapists coming from a state with close or higher standards can receive their Idaho license by endorsement.
The candidates that qualify for endorsement have a different application form they need to fill in.
They must also prove they’re at least 18 years old.
Additional Information
The Idaho Board of Massage Therapy can be reached by email or by telephone.
The Idaho Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association is another institution where additional information can be requested.
Salaries depend on experience and extra credentials.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Boise | $48,582 |
| Meridian | $48,531 |
| Nampa | $48,070 |
| Idaho Falls | $46,546 |
| Caldwell | $48,019 |
| Pocatello | $44,496 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $50,384 |
| Twin Falls | $44,342 |
| Post Falls | $50,493 |
| Lewiston | $50,553 |
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 130 | $66,540 | $31.99 | $77,440 | $44,410 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 60 | $68,770 | $33.06 | $82,250 | $37,530 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 40 | $67,640 | $32.52 | $78,580 | $42,810 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy by State