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The Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation offers licenses to massage therapists in Maine.
Those interested can obtain their diploma either after finishing a qualifying program or passing an exam, but no proof for both is needed currently.
Candidates will, however, have to prove they finished high school, have a clean legal and professional background, as Maine does check the criminal history of the individuals.
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Requirements Related to Education
To be approved for the license, a candidate must have completed a program lasting at least 500 hours with 100 hours being supervised on the job training.
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120 hours of education must be dedicated to anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
The theory must cover:
- deep friction,
- direct pressure,
- kneading,
- compression,
- percussion,
- superficial warming techniques
- other subjects indicated by the Board, including:
- massage benefits
- universal precautions
- contraindications
- body mechanics
- ethics
- professional standards
- modesty
- draping
- legalities
Chapter 300 of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Rules describe better the requirements related to education.
There’s a list of approved Maine programs that meet the requirements, but not all qualifying programs are listed.
If there are candidates graduating from non-pre-approved programs will have to provide further information, unless they want to sit through an exam.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Acadia School of Massage | 108 Cottage Street Bar Harbor, ME 04609 |
| Downeast School of Massage | 99 Moose Meadow Lane Waldoboro, ME 04572 |
| Intercoast Career Institute | 207 Gannett Dr. # 1 S Portland, ME 04106 |
| Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health | PO Box 703 Lenox, ME 01240 |
| New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts | 27 Sandy Creek Rd. Bridgton, ME 04009 |
| Panacea School of Integrative Health | 101 Second Street Hallowell, ME 04347 |
| Seacoast Career School | 1 Eagle Drive Sanford, ME 04073 |
| Therapeutic Bodywork Learning Center | 185 Harlow St. #8 Bangor, ME 04401 |
Standards for the Exam
Candidates interested to obtain their license through an exam must ensure the test is approved by the Board.
Some of the approved exams are offered by:
- National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
- Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)
The latter offers the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (or MBLEx) which is recognized in most states as the exam to pass to prove entry-level skills and obtain a license.
MBLEx has multiple choices and can be taken on a computer.
Additionally, those interested can use the Internet to register and pay the fees for this exam.
It takes about 5 business days for candidates to know if they can take the exam or not, and they must read and confirm they read the candidate bulletin, found online as well.
Once approved, the exams can be scheduled through Pearson Vue, while the scores are sent to the designated state, shortly after testing.
Some massage therapists can choose a Board Certification offered to those who are considered accomplished.
To obtain this diploma, an individual must have attended a program with an NCBTMB code, lasting at least 750 hours.
If the original program was shorter, the candidate can continue their education to complete the hour difference.
This certification will also be available only after the individual accumulated at least 250 hours of work experience.
CPR and First Aid Training
All future massage therapists must also train in CPR and first aid techniques, from an instructor with a nationally recognized diploma.
This training is separate from the 500 hours needed to obtain the license through education.
Applying
Candidates can download the application forms from the website of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Other documents:
- CPR and first aid certifications
- High school diploma or GED, or their copies
- Massage therapy transcripts sent directly by the school
- A worksheet with the core curriculum requirements – for those seeking certification based on education, unless the program was pre-approved.
- course syllabi or excerpts from student catalogs might be also requested
- Mentions of any license or registration, regardless of discipline or location
- Past licenses verification form
- Relevant documents and explanations related to past criminal convictions, if applicable
- $86 covering the application, license, and criminal record check fees
Application files can be sent by mailed or hand-delivered, with the addresses being on the application form.
The processing time of the applications, regardless of how they’ve been sent, is around 2 or 3 weeks.
The licensing agency will process only complete files.
Candidate has up to 2 months to provide the missing documents, and they’ll have to start all over if they miss the deadline.
Extra Info
Maine massage therapists need to renew their license every year, for a fee.
The website of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation has other details and information related to this profession.
Average salaries in Maine vary from city to city, and on experience.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $51,238 |
| Lewiston | $50,726 |
| Bangor | $46,793 |
| South Portland | $51,238 |
| Auburn | $50,726 |
| Biddeford | $50,999 |
| Sanford | $51,804 |
| Brunswick | $50,794 |
| Scarborough | $51,238 |
| Saco | $51,135 |
Regional Salary in Maine
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 90 | $66,590 | $32.01 | $104,010 | $31,990 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
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