Arizona Massage Insurance & State Requirements
Arizona Massage Insurance Requirements And Guidelines
While the State of Arizona does not mandate massage therapists to carry professional liability insurance, most opt to secure it as a protective measure.
Good insurance coverage ensures a protective financial and legal buffer in case of an unforeseen incident involving you or another client. Many therapists recognize the value of safeguarding their practice, reputation, and financial stability, ensuring they and their clients can engage in each therapeutic session with peace of mind and assurance.
How Much Does Massage Liability Insurance Cost In Arizona?
1 year full-time Professional Rate
$
169
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.46/day
2 year full-time
professional rate
$
289
/2yr
Cost to you: $0.39/day
1 year part-time
professional rate
$
149
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.41/day
Arizona State School, License, And Certification Requirements
The Arizona Board of Massage Therapy maintains stringent prerequisites to ensure that every Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) operating within the state adheres to a commendable standard of professional and ethical practice.
Prospective massage therapists must complete a meticulous pathway of requirements, which includes specific educational achievements, satisfactory performance in examinations, and an unwavering commitment to ethical practice.
It is imperative to comprehend and comply with these prerequisites, as they are fundamental for attaining licensure and crucial in upholding the integrity and quality of massage therapy services provided to the community.
Here is a list of prerequisites to apply for licensure as a Licensed Massage Therapist in Arizona:
- At least 18 years old
- U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Be of good moral character
- High school diploma or equivalent or pass an ability-to-benefit exam
- Has not been convicted of a class 1-6 felony within five years prior to license application
- Has not received a prostitution-related misdemeanor or similar offense
- Has not voluntarily surrendered a license or had a license revoked
- Not currently under investigation, suspension, or restriction for an act subject to discipline by the chapter
- Apply and pay the fee of $195 and $22 Background check ($217 total)
- Applicants must provide complete fingerprints recorded on a standard FD-258 card. FD-258 fingerprint cards are typically available at most local police stations.
According to the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy, an applicant may qualify for an Arizona massage therapy license by one of the following processes:
Regular License:
- Graduate from a massage school, completing at least 700 hours.
- If schooled outside of Arizona, pass the national licensing exam from FSMTB or NCBTMB.
License by Out-of-State Reciprocity:
- Be licensed in another state or U.S. territory for at least two of the past five years.
License by NCBTMB Certification Reciprocity:
- Hold current certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
- Graduate from a massage school with a minimum of 500 hours.
License by Universal Acceptance:
- Hold a license in another state or U.S. territory for at least one year, active at the time of application.
- Establish residency in the State of Arizona.
How Much Does it Cost to Become a Massage Therapist in Arizona?
Becoming a massage therapist in Arizona involves several costs, including:
- Completion of at least 700 hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction from an approved massage therapy school in Arizona. The cost will vary based on the institution chosen.
- Registering for a license, which costs $195.
- The cost for the MBLEx exam is $265
- The fee for renewing the license every two years is $95
- Optional: Purchasing professional liability insurance, the cost of which varies based on the provider and coverage level.
Penalty For Practicing Massage Without A License In Arizona
In Arizona, it's illegal for anyone to practice, claim to practice, or advertise massage therapy services without being licensed according to state regulations. If a person performs activities that require a massage therapy license, uses titles or words suggesting they are licensed, or advertises massage therapy services without being properly licensed, they are committing a class 1 misdemeanor.
If someone helps or asks another person to break the rules of this article or the board's rules, lets another person use their license, or intentionally breaks them, they can be fined. The fine is up to $1,000 for the first violation and $5,000 for any following violations. Before being fined, there will be a hearing conducted by the board.
Everything You Need to Know About Renewals in Arizona
Renewing your massage therapy license in Arizona is vital to maintaining your professional credentials. The process involves several steps and fees that you should be aware of to ensure a smooth renewal process.
Continuing education requirements
- In the 24 months leading up to license expiration, a renewal applicant must complete a minimum of 24 continuing education hours.
- Up to 12 of these continuing education hours can be obtained through remote or online learning platforms.
- Leftover hours cannot be moved from one renewal term to the next.
Renewal steps
To renew an expired license:
- Pay the renewal and delinquency fees.
- As per board requirements, provide proof of ongoing competency and continuing education (a minimum of 24 CEU hours every two years).
To reinstate a lapsed license:
- Pay the renewal and reinstatement fees.
- Show proof of fulfilling all ongoing competency and continuing education requirements.
If a license has lapsed for over three years:
- Reapply for a license and pay all relevant fees.
- Prove competency in massage therapy to the board, possibly through an internship, remedial courses, or both, depending on the board’s decision.
- The board might also require an examination.
Renewal fees
- Not Expired: $97.50 Online Payment
- Up to 2 Years Late: $137.50 Online Payment
- Up to 3 Years Late: $222.50 Online Payment
Note: Always verify and comply with the most recent and applicable regulations by referring to the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy
Arizona Massage Therapy Resources
The following are state resources, including some Arizona employment statistics, to help you determine if being a massage therapist is right for you.
Employment statistics
Arizona massage employment statistics as of August 5, 2023: $38.09/hour
Source: Indeed.comFor additional information about massage therapy in Arizona
Education Requirements: To get a license, the applicant needs to graduate from a massage school with at least 700 hours of study. If the school is outside Arizona, passing a national exam from the FSMTB or NCBTMB is also required.
Source: Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy
For additional information about massage therapy in Arizona, follow these links: State massage information: Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy
State employment stats: Bls.gov
Compare Arizona massage therapist employment statistics to other states: Bls.gov
Get an Instant Quote for Arizona Massage Insurance
If you're a massage therapist in Arizona, it's important to protect your practice. Massage Magazine Insurance Plus offers specialized insurance plans designed for professionals like you. With coverage for over 450 different techniques, you can be confident that your practice is adequately safeguarded, no matter your specialty.
This insurance is priced competitively and comes with unique advantages that distinguish it from other options. To find out about Arizona-specific massage insurance and receive an instant quote, visit Massage Magazine Insurance Plus. Make sure your practice is secure so you can concentrate on delivering top-notch massage services to your clients.
Three Arizona Massage Insurance Coverage to Choose From
1 year full-time Professional Rate
$
169
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.46/day
2 year full-time
professional rate
$
289
/2yr
Cost to you: $0.39/day
1 year part-time
professional rate
$
149
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.41/day
Who Is Massage Magazine Insurance Plus?
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Meet the Author:
Hannah Young
Hannah Young is the Associate Director of Marketing for Massage Magazine Insurance Plus (MMIP). Hannah has dedicated her career to the advancement of the massage therapy industry by spearheading the MASSAGE Magazine and MMIP family of brands. Her impactful efforts extend beyond the corporate realm, as Hannah has successfully raised substantial funds for massage therapist grants and foundations. Notably, she spearheaded the establishment of the annual Massage Therapist Appreciation Week, a testament to her dedication to recognizing and honoring the contributions of massage therapists.
