With over 5,000 therapists employed, Texas is #3 state in the country for massage therapy jobs. It is a great state to become a massage therapist.
Steps to Become a Massage Therapist in Texas
- Take a 500 hour training course (see below)
- Pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
- Pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam
- Apply for a Massage Therapy License from the TDLR.
Texas Massage Schools
Employers in Texas prefer candidates who have graduated from an approved massage therapy training program.
- Dallas, Fort Worth
- Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio
- Dallas, Grand Prairie, San Antonio
- Arlington, Richardson, Houston
- Grand Prairie
- Houston
- Amarillo, San Antonio, El Paso
Arizona College of Nursing (Rating: 4.8 out 5)
Aveda Institutes (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
Concorde Career College (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
Cortiva Institute (Rating: 3.1 out 5)
Fast track accredited program that helps you get a license in less than a year.
Lincoln Tech (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
Lone Star College (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
The Massage Therapy Certificate program is a 9-month Level 1 Certificate designed to prepare students for careers as licensed massage therapists in Texas. Accredited by the Texas Higher Education Board and recognized by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the program equips students with skills in soft-tissue manipulation for pain relief, stress reduction, injury rehabilitation, and general health. Graduates are eligible to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensure Exam (MBLEx) to meet Texas licensure requirements, enabling them to enter the workforce quickly in a variety of therapeutic settings.
Milan Institute (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
The Massage Therapy program at Milan Institute prepares students to become professional massage therapists in just 34 weeks through a curriculum combining Eastern, Western, and modern techniques. Students gain hands-on experience in anatomy, physiology, deep tissue massage, spa techniques, and business management while working with real clients in the institute’s student spa. Graduates are equipped to sit for the state board licensure exam and pursue careers in diverse settings such as health spas, physicians’ offices, and private practices.
How Long Does it Take?
A full time 500 hour program would take about 4 months. On a part time basis it would take about 6 months.
What Do You Study in Massage Therapy School?
Licensed massage therapy schools in Texas must provide following coursework:
- massage therapy techniques: 200 hours (including 125 hours of Swedish massage therapy)
- human anatomy: 50 hours
- physiology: 25 hours
- kinesiology: 50 hours
- pathology: 40 hours
- hydrotherapy: 20 hours
- massage therapy laws: 45 hours
- health, first aid & CPR: 20 hours
See the Texas Administrative Code for more information.
Accreditation
Massage therapy training programs are accredited by both the Texas State Board, along with an independent accrediting agency, The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). COMTA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the official accreditation body of massage therapy programs.
Texas Massage Therapy Licensing
Licensing is required to work as a massage therapist in Texas. Prospective massage therapists will need to apply for a license to practice after graduation from an approved training program.
Requirements for Licensing
Licensure will require that candidates pass a national certification exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage (NCMTMB) or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX), offered by the Federation of State Boards of Massage Therapy (FSBMT).
Licensing is an important step in becoming a massage therapist as it raises the standards of the profession.
Salary
The table below contains median earnings of Massage Therapists in areas of Texas:
| Area | Hourly | Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock | $26.00 | $54,070.00 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $20.20 | $42,020.00 |
| Corpus Christi | $19.92 | $41,430.00 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $23.53 | $48,940.00 |
| El Paso | $19.71 | $40,990.00 |
| Hill Country Region | $22.40 | $46,590.00 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $26.18 | $54,450.00 |
| Killeen-Temple | $21.21 | $44,120.00 |
| Lubbock | $23.18 | $48,210.00 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $18.01 | $37,450.00 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $24.07 | $50,070.00 |
| Tyler | $21.93 | $45,610.00 |
Occupation: Occupation:Massage Therapists (SOC Code319011)
Massage Therapist Job Description
What Do They Do?
In its most essential form, massage therapists use therapeutic touch to reduce tension in both muscles and soft tissues of the body. Massage therapy is in the category of “alternative health” and is the perfect career for those who value holistic health principles.
How They Work
There are over 80 different treatment methods in the field of massage therapy but most therapists focus on only one or two such as reflexology, Swedish massage or deep tissue massage.
The first session with a new patient is usually devoted to consultation with the therapist recording medical history and information about the pain or problem. If the therapist doesn’t work with the method that would be best for the patient’s condition, they will refer the case to a colleague who does focus on that specialty.
In most cases, treatment sessions last from about 30 minutes for minor aches and pains to over two hours for sports injuries.
Job Duties
Massage therapy involves rubbing oils, lotions and creams into affected muscles and tissues thereby releasing tension and build-up calcium deposits.
Where Can They Work?
Massage therapists may find employment in both private and public settings, such as:
- Massage Therapy Clinic: DEEP Relief in Austin offers specialized massage services.
- Sports Medicine Center: Texas Sports Medicine Center in Tomball provides comprehensive sports medicine services.
- Hospital: Memorial Hermann Health System operates multiple hospitals across Texas.
- Assisted Living and Nursing Facility: Brookdale Senior Living has numerous assisted living and nursing facilities throughout Texas.
- Chiropractic Office: The Joint Chiropractic has multiple locations across Texas, offering chiropractic care.
- Health Spa: The NOW Massage in Dallas provides various massage therapy services.
- Community-Based Clinic: Legacy Community Health operates clinics in Houston and other areas, offering a range of health services.
- Franchise Business: Massage Envy has numerous franchise locations offering massage and skincare services throughout Texas.
Job Prospects
Massage therapy is now recognized by many health care providers across different disciplines as being an important alternate to traditional medical treatment methods for a variety of health complaints.
Job prospects are great for those who wish to become massage therapists. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapists are expected to grow at a much faster rate than most other occupations.
Growth will primarily stem from the growing appreciation from both the medical community and consumers regarding the value of massage therapy in fostering a healthy lifestyle.
Growth also arises from the growing number of massage therapy franchises and sports clinics.
Residents in long-term care facilities also value massage therapy to relieve unpleasant side effects of various chronic conditions, such as scoliosis (back pain) or arthritis. Finally, the field is gaining increased recognition due to the higher standards being implemented to become a Massage Therapist across all states.