Iowa Massage Liability Insurance Guidelines

Although there are no current laws or regulations requiring licensed therapists to carry an Iowa massage insurance policy, it is most definitely worth the cost to any therapist. Not only does it lessen your risk when operating a massage studio, it undoubtedly helps protect you against certain liabilities that a licensed therapist may encounter. A great insurance policy is not only going to protect you from certain liabilities, it is also going to protect you against stolen goods by reimbursing you for the costs, or at least by reimbursing up to a certain dollar amount, depending on the value of the items that are stolen.

The licensing requirements that need to be completed to work as a massage therapy professional in Iowa first include the completion of 500 hours of coursework at a licensed massage course or school. Upon completing the minimum required hours, applicants must pass either the NCETM/TMB or MBLEx, in order to receive their license. The exam is a 125 question, multiple choice exam, which applicants are going to complete on computer; you are allotted 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the questions on the exam. Applicants whose second language is English, can request an extended period of time to complete the exam, but they must submit this information prior to applying to sit in for the exam. Once you pass, the state of Iowa will certify the individual as a massage therapist.

Other information for Iowa therapists – As a licensed massage therapist in Iowa, it is a requirement to have your license renewed every 2 years. The exam that you take will cover the laws, rules, and regulations in massage therapy, not only the type of practice, or techniques that should be used in practice. So, all applicants have to attend a certified institution, in order to receive proper instruction and guidance in all aspects of being a therapist, or running a therapy studio. The only requirements to being a licensed touch therapist is to pass the required exam and to have your license renewed every two years. While licensed therapists should seriously consider purchasing insurance for massage therapy, it is currently not a state requirement for an individual to be able to practice.

In addition to shielding yourself against certain liabilities, theft or loss, and possible patient claims, a great massage practitioner insurance policy may be required to work in certain therapist offices. So, if you plan on working with a larger massage therapy office, or you plan on applying to a specific position, you have to check if there is a requirement for you to carry liability insurance. As a professional, it is good practice to carry an insurance policy. So, if you are an LMT in Iowa, although it is not required, it is highly advisable for you to purchase a policy to shield you from claims, possible threats, and other loss you might otherwise encounter during practice.

The following are Iowa state resources, including some employment statistics, to help you determine if being a massage therapist is right for you:

Iowa Massage Therapy Resources:

State of Iowa massage employment statistics as of May, 2017:
Licensed Therapists: 2,396
Mean Hourly Wage: $18.76
Annual Mean Wage: $39,030
Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ia.htm

Education Requirements
Required Education Hours: 600 hours
Written or Practical Exam: Written/Practical
Exam Administered: MBLEx
CEUs Required: 16 hours every 2 years + CPR Certification
Source: https://www.massagetherapylicense.org/state/iowa-massage-license.html

Other Requirements: Liability Insurance
For one low flat fee, massage therapists can receive the quality, comprehensive coverage they deserve, avoiding the costly impact that a lawsuit can bring. Even the most careful massage therapists can make a mistake, or encounter one of those hard-to-please clients that finds fault in a treatment, even if nothing really went wrong.
Application Process: Online Application for immediate approval.

For additional information about massage therapy in [STATE NAME], follow these links:
State massage association: Iowa State Board of Massage Therapy
State employment stats: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ia.htm

Compare Iowa’s massage therapist employment statistics to other states:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319011.htm