Massage Therpy License Requirements in Georgia

Georgia massage therapists must complete at least 500 hours of education.Massage to the palm of the hand as part of a Thai body massage. image by Deborah Benbrook from Fotolia.com

Massage therapists perform soft tissue manipulation to relieve stress and pain. To perform massage therapy safely and effectively, therapists must possess specific knowledge about technique, anatomy and when massage is not appropriate, among other things. In Georgia, massage therapists must obtain a license from the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy and meet requirements set by this department. The most recent requirements have been in effect since July 2007.

General Requirements

The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy requires applicants for a massage license to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED. They must submit to a background check and be clear of any criminal convictions involving moral turpitude that would compromise their practice of massage therapy. If not United States citizens, aspiring massage therapists must have legal residency status.

As the agency responsible for setting standards for massage license training programs in the state, the board mandates that applicants must have attended a board-approved program that consists of at least 500 hours of instruction. Its website, sos.ga.gov, contains a list of approved schools. Applicants must request official sealed transcripts from the school.

Upon completing the education requirements, candidates must pass an exam demonstrating competency in the practice of massage therapy. The board will accept exams administered by the National Certification Board of Massage Therapy and Bodywork or the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

Receiving a license by endorsement means receiving a professional license in a particular jurisdiction based on meeting similar requirements in another. The board will review applications for endorsement on a case-by-case basis and applicants must have received their license based on similar standards set forth in Georgia. Those licensed in another jurisdiction cannot practice massage therapy in Georgia without a state license.

Foreign applicants whose transcripts read in any other language besides English must arrange for translation and credential review. The board currently only works with one company---International Consultants of Delaware but will accept reviews from other companies with prior approval. Applicants can contact ICD by calling 215-222-8454X603.