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In Kentucky, future massage therapists need to be 18 years old and complete specific training courses before certification.
Read on to learn more about the requirements.
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Training Requirements
You will need to attend a program accredited by Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education or the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education.
To get licensed, you need at least 600 hours of training.
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If you opt for a longer program, you need to meet other criteria before applying for certification.
The clinical courses require supervision from someone with the experience described in the 201 KAR 42:080.
Externships can only take place after the 600 hours have been completed.
The training must cover:
- Anatomy and physiology: 125 hours
- Massage and bodywork theory and technique: 200 hours
- Pathology: 40 hours
- The business of massage therapy: 200 hours
The business of massage covers topics like contraindication, legalities, and ethics, as well as modality courses.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Advanced Massage Therapeutics | 2700 Bardstown Rd. Louisville, KY 40205 |
| Bluegrass Professional School of Massage Therapy | 501 Darby Creek Rd. #15A Lexington, KY 40509 |
| Daymar College | 4112 Fern Valley Rd. Louisville, KY 40219 |
| Full Circle Massage School | 465 East High St. #110 Lexington, KY 40507 |
| Gateway Community and Technical College | 500 Technology Way Florence Florence, KY 41042 |
| Genesis Career College | 1711 Destiny Lane, #102 Bowling Green, KY 42104 |
| Lexington Healing Arts Academy | 272 Southland Dr. Lexington, KY 40503 |
| Spencerian College | 4627 Dixie Highway Louisville, KY 40216 |
| Sun Touch Massage School | 914 West Broadway Mayfield, KY 42066 |
Courses completed in other states are only valid in Kentucky if they meet the same criteria.
Testing Criteria
The approved license exams in Kentucky are:
- The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
- The National Certification Agency (NBCA) Massage Therapy Certification Exam, Level 1
- The State of Ohio Massage Therapy Licensing Exam
- The State of New York Massage Therapy Licensing Exam
Out of these, the MBLEx is the most common.
It requires submitting a form that you can download from the website, a $195 fee and reading the candidate bulletin.
The exam is computerized and results are available right away,
The Massage Therapy Certification, Level 1 is suitable for students who attend courses longer than 600 hours and which are scientifically based.
These must also include orthopedic assessment.
The exam costs $275 and you need to register a month before taking it.
How to Apply
The application form must include original transcripts sent by your school.
You will also need to legalize your form for a $125 fee and provide further details if you have a criminal record or adverse professional background.
You will generally receive an answer within 60 days, during which time the Board will decide if the criteria are met.
Massage Therapists From Other States
If the other state you trained it has lower standards, you need to undergo extra training.
To fasten the process, you should provide any further education or experience you have in the field.
You might not have to take further training if you have practiced for 4 years.
Other Info
The Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy is a good resource for licensing rules and changes.
It includes a FAQ section as well.
You can also check out the American Massage Therapy Association of Kentucky for additional info.
In Kentucky, the license must be renewed every 2 years.
While the salary depends on experience and credentials, you can still get an idea of what massage therapists in this state earn, on average.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Louisville | $48,285 |
| Lexington | $48,218 |
| Bowling Green | $46,155 |
| Owensboro | $48,089 |
| Covington | $50,072 |
| Richmond | $47,731 |
| Georgetown | $48,191 |
| Florence | $50,051 |
| Hopkinsville | $46,083 |
| Nicholasville | $48,136 |
Regional Salary in Kentucky
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 160 | $67,920 | $32.66 | $91,180 | $47,110 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 260 | $68,190 | $32.78 | $98,560 | $46,090 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy by State