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If you want to work as a massage therapist in Iowa, you need to enroll in a training program first.
You also need to submit your high-school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years old.
Read on the article below to find out more about the licensing process.
Article Table of Contents
Massage Therapist Criteria
You need to complete a 600-hour course that adheres to a state curriculum.
Popular Programs
The program must cover:
- Massage therapy fundamentals
- Clinical application of bodywork and massage
- Anatomy and physiology
- Kinesiology
- Client communication
- Heath care referral
- Pathology, infection control, and injury prevention
- Business management
- Iowa law and ethics
- Wellness and healthy lifestyle
Out of these, the subjects must be split as follows:
- 200 hours in massage therapy and assessment
- 100 hours in anatomy and physiology
- 100 hours of supervised practice
Students are also required to take a CPR/ first aid class at the the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or National Safety Council.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ancient Wisdom Massage School, Spa & Clinic | 1114 Woodbury Avenue Ste 3 Council Bluffs, IA 51503 |
| Carlson College of Massage Therapy | 11809 Country Rd. X-28 Anamosa, IA 52205 |
| CAPRI College | 2945 Williams Parkway SW Ceder Rapids, IA 52404 |
| CAPRI College | 395 Main Street Dubuque, IA 52001 |
| CAPRI College | 2450 East 53rd Street Davenport, IA 52807 |
| College of Massage | 3601 Douglas Ave. Des Moines, IA 50310 |
| East-West School of Integrative Healing Arts | 1395 Jordan Street North Liberty, IA 52317 |
| Indian Hills Community College | 525 Grandview Ave. Ottumwa, IA 52501 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | 1900 North Grand Ave. #8 Spencer, IA 51301 |
| La' James College | 24 2nd Street NE Mason City, IA 50401 |
| Windemere Institute of Healing Arts | 2219 Pole Line Rd. Decorah, IA 52101 |
Testing Criteria
The approved exams are the MBLEx and NCBTMB.
The MBLEx requires a $195 fee and reading the information bulletin.
This test is multiple choice and available in person after you receive the Authorization to Test.
The NCBTMB is not used for certification but for additional credentials.
It requires 750 hours of class, and you can find more info if you email info@ncbtmb.org.
How to Apply
You need to submit school transcripts for the past year and proof of CPR training.
If you come from another state you have to bring a school catalog and have your school send in the transcripts and fill in a section of the application form.
All the paperwork along with a $120 fee will be submitted to the Board office in Des Moines.
Candidates from other states
If the standards in the licensing state are the same as in Iowa, your license will be valid.
However, your certification will need to be verified first.
If the requirements in the state you come from don’t meet the Iowa criteria, you can still get a temporary permit while you get more experience.
Your credentials will be verified by International Educational Research Foundations or International Credentialing Associates.
You will need to submit proof of CPR training and a legalized copy of your license.
Other Info
The Board site includes a waiver petition to use when applicable.
You can reach out to The Iowa Board of Massage Therapy for additional info regarding law changes.
The American Massage Therapy Association-Iowa Chapter is also a good place to learn more about the industry as a whole.
Every 2 years, massage therapy professionals must renew their licenses.
This profession is rewarding, as you can tell from the table below showing the median income per year in major Iowa cities.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $49,534 |
| Cedar Rapids | $48,582 |
| Davenport | $48,361 |
| Sioux City | $42,601 |
| Iowa City | $48,182 |
| Waterloo | $46,288 |
| Ames | $49,073 |
| West Des Moines | $49,534 |
| Ankeny | $49,534 |
| Council Bluffs | $48,410 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 40 | $64,740 | $31.13 | $107,360 | $44,340 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 110 | $61,900 | $29.76 | $84,600 | $42,010 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 80 | $56,960 | $27.38 | $94,280 | $28,570 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 170 | $69,220 | $33.28 | $93,430 | $42,700 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 60 | $63,590 | $30.57 | $92,610 | $43,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy by State