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The State Board of Massage Therapy issues licenses to massage therapists who want to profess in North Dakota.
For this, those interested need to complete an educational program, pass a recognized exam, prove they have a clean criminal past and beholders of a high school diploma or GED.
Article Table of Contents
Finding a Program
In North Dakota, massage therapists must complete 750 hours of education with at least 300 of them ‘hands-on’ supervised practice.
The subject breakdown is as follows:
Popular Programs
- 150 hours -anatomy and physiology
- 90 hours – kinesiology
- 45 hours – pathology
- 30 hours – business practice
- 30 hours – ethics
- 10 hours – first aid, CPR, and hygiene
- 125 hours – benefits, contraindications, universal precautions, body mechanics, ethics, legalities, professional standards, and the history of the massage therapy profession
Practice on the public can be done only after 225 hours of didactic instruction and a minimum of 150 hours of practical instruction in a classroom setting.
The Board has a list of massage therapy schools on its website, and the future practitioners can complete the hours at more than one school.
Those who seek to obtain a license in North Dakota but completed their education in another state will be reviewed on an individual basis.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Josef's School of Hair Design | 627 NP Ave Grand Forks, ND 58102 |
| Josef's School of Hair Design | 2011 South Washington Grand Forks, ND 58201 |
| The Salon Professional Academy | 4377 15th Ave SW Grand Forks, ND 58103 |
| Williston State College | 1410 University Ave. Williston, ND 58801 |
The Exam
The exam future massage therapists have to pass is the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).
Other exams may be accepted, however not all the exam are still available.
Those who passed the retired exams can send their score reports to the Board.
Candidates have to register for the exam through the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and pay the $195 fee.
Reading the content outline is mandatory.
Also, those who get accepted have 90 days to schedule the exam through Pearson Vue, after receiving the ATT.
Other Requirements
Future massage therapists must prove they don’t carry any contagious illnesses.
They can prove they underwent training regarding to preventing these illnesses from spreading.
Reciprocity
Licensees from a different state can receive their North Dakota diploma without an exam if they met all the requirements in North Dakota.
Those who practiced for at least 5 years, can receive their license through reciprocity on the basis of “substantially similar” licensing standards.
The license will be verified by the Board.
The Application Process
Candidates need to download the application form the Board’s website and then attest to a few things, such as being:
- A high school graduate
- Drug-free
- Willing to follow the code
The statement requires notarization and provide a passport-style photograph.
An affidavit from the school that it is accredited, that the number of hours have been completed.
An original transcript, a copy of the diploma, a copy of the CPR certification and high school diploma of the candidate, are also needed.
The certificate of physical examination has to be submitted as an original copy.
The application fee is $150.
Extra Info
The licensees have to renew their certification every year, for a fee.
There are several factors influencing your income in this profession, but you can see the median salary across North Dakota.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $48,123 |
| Bismarck | $47,810 |
| Grand Forks | $44,800 |
| Minot | $47,041 |
| West Fargo | $48,123 |
| Williston | $47,041 |
| Dickinson | $47,041 |
| Mandan | $47,810 |
| Jamestown | $47,197 |
| Wahpeton | $47,354 |
Regional Salary in North Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 30 | $43,830 | $21.07 | $78,720 | $22,160 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 70 | $59,860 | $28.78 | $82,950 | $31,970 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy by State