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If you plan on becoming a massage therapist in Montana, you need training and a license that allows you to work.
Read on to find out more about the criteria!
Article Table of Contents
Schooling Requirements
You must complete 500 hours of training in an accredited school, as follows:
- 125 class hours in body systems
- 200 hours in massage and bodywork theory, application, and assessment;
- 40 hours in pathology
- 10 hours in business and ethics, from which 6 must be in ethics
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Health Works Institute | 111 S. Grand Ave. Annex 3 Bozeman, MT 59715 |
| Massage Training Institute | 1500 Airport Road Kalispell, MT 59901 |
| Montana School of Massage | 1629 South Ave. West Missouls, MT 59801 |
Testing Criteria
The MBLEx is the exam offered in Montana, for which you can download the form on the Board’s site.
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You have to pay a $195 fee and wait 5 days before getting your exam authorization.
After that, you have 3 months to take the exam.
How to Apply
You need to submit proof you are 18 years old and have a high school diploma.
You also need to send 2 reference letters attesting to your good character.
If you have any additional licenses, those need to be submitted as well.
A $140 fee is required for the exam and certification process.
If you have a criminal record, your application might take up to 120 days instead of 100 and will need to be verified by the Board before you get an answer.
Each application is taken on a case by case basis, and minor offenses to do require further reviews.
Candidates from other states
Candidates certified in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington don’t need to take an exam.
The board’s site contains a ”license by credential” section which you can check out if you meet the criteria.
You will still need to provide the 2 reference letters mentioned earlier and a copy of your high school diploma/GED, as well as proof you have a license.
You will be required additional info if the license in your state does not meet Montana’s standards.
Other Info
The Montana Board of Massage Therapy is a good resource for info regarding licensing.
In addition, you can also check out The Montana Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association for industry news and updates.
The more experience you accumulate, the higher your income will be, and below you can see the median salary in Montana.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Billings | $49,036 |
| Missoula | $42,320 |
| Great Falls | $44,393 |
| Bozeman | $42,320 |
| Butte | $42,320 |
| Helena | $43,088 |
| Kalispell | $45,443 |
| Havre | $43,625 |
| Anaconda | $42,320 |
| Belgrade | $42,320 |
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | ** | $59,610 | $28.66 | $82,840 | $22,650 |
| Missoula, MT | 80 | $55,480 | $26.67 | $81,270 | $22,220 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy by State