Oregon has many requirements for licensing massage therapists.
Oregon has been regulating the licensing of massage therapists since 1971, according to MassageSchoolsGuide.com. There are several requirements you need to meet before you can obtain your license as a massage therapist in Oregon. After you obtain your license you will need to renew it every 2 years and complete 25 hours of continuing education.
Massage Therapist Job Description
As a massage therapist, you will use touch to manipulate the soft tissues of your patient's body, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a massage therapist, you will be sought out for a variety of reasons: treating painful conditions, stress reduction, the rehabilitation of sports injuries and helping promote general health. You may also provide relaxation therapy in the form of massage for clients.
Education and Licensing
Oregon requires that you attend 500 hours of education. You will need to take 200 hours of classes in health sciences that consist of anatomy and physiology, pathology and kinesiology. The other 300 hours need to be in Massage Theory and Practical Application, Clinical Practice, Business Development, Communication, Ethics, Sanitation and Hydrotherapy. In addition to the education component, you will need to take the Oregon Practical Exam and pass a board-approved written exam, according to the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. If you are currently licensed in another state as a massage therapist, you can apply for a State Endorsement to obtain your license in Oregon. The requirements for the state you are licensed in must meet or exceed Oregon's requirements. You may also qualify to be licensed as a massage therapist if you currently hold a license in an approved health-related field. This is called a Health Endorsement. You will need to provide proof of 300 hours of education in Massage Theory and Practical Application, Clinical Practice, Business Development, Communication, Ethics, Sanitation and Hydrotherapy.
Additional Information
The application fee to obtain your license in Oregon is $50 in 2010, which is nonrefundable. If you are applying to take an examination or Health Endorsement, include an additional $150, according to the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. You must list on your application any arrests or convictions. If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, include a copy of your arrest record, a copy of the judgment, a copy of the outcome of the judgment and any explanations, according to the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. Have your school send original transcripts, which must list classroom hours, not credit hours. Along with your application, send a passport-type photograph, front and back copies of your current CPR card and a copy of your government-issued identification such as a driver's license.
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