Texas Massage Liability Insurance Guidelines

The number of people receiving massages has increased over the past twenty years, as more people seek this treatment for a variety of ailments. With approximately 38 million people receiving a massage at least once a year, it is clear that this form of therapy will continue to increase in popularity over time. With this, however, comes the massage professional’s increase in the risk of being sued. Fortunately, massage liability insurance can help protect touch therapists and bodyworkers and provide them with peace of mind to practice their profession.

This increase in people seeking massage therapy can be directly attributed to education in the medical community, as well as in the public at large, over the health benefits of getting a massage. Many people seek out treatment for aches and pains, including lower back pain. Massages can help relax the muscles and increase blood flow, which can help them heal. It also releases dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which can help block pain receptors, which helps increase mood and improve brain energy. Because of this increase, licensing has become very strict, and governed at the state level, as it is with many professions.

Because massages can include getting deep into muscles and connective tissues, and because more people with more serious health ailments are seeking out massages, this increases the risk of injury in the client. If a person is injured while getting a massage, they will almost certainly look to sue the massage therapy professional to pay for damages. Even if the case is baseless or without merit, hiring an attorney to defend you can result in significant costs, in regards to both time and money. However, insurance for massage professionals removes this risk, allowing the massage professional to help other people without worrying about pending litigation. The small cost of this insurance will be more than worth it if an injury claim is filed.

Currently, the state of Texas does not require massage practitioners to carry liability insurance. It does, however, require that touch therapists and bodyworkers be licensed through the state. These requirements are laid out in Chapter 455 of Texas’ statutes. This chapter lays out the requirements for obtaining a license, including taking 500 hours worth of coursework at a licensed massage therapy school (including work in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, and hydrotherapy). With so much education required to obtain a license, it is a good idea to obtain massage insurance in order to ensure your practice can continue.

No matter what your needs, there is certainly a massage liability insurance policy that will fit your budget and practice. To find out how we can provide the coverage you need, contact us today.

Texas State Massage Therapy Resources

The following are state resources, including some Texas employment statistics, to help you determine if being a massage therapist is right for you:
Texas massage employment statistics as of May, 2017:
Licensed Therapists: 26,347
Mean Hourly Wage: $18.72
Annual Mean Wage: $38,940
Source: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm

Education Requirements
Required Education Hours: 500 hours
Written or Practical Exam: Written Exam
Exam Administered: MBLEx
CEUs Required: 12 hours every 2 years
Source: https://www.massagetherapylicense.org/state/texas-massage-license.html

For additional information about massage therapy in Texas, follow these links:
State massage information: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/mas/mas.htm
State employment stats: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm

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