Iowa Massage Therapist State Requirements
Starting a career as a massage therapist in Iowa is an exciting journey. To help you begin smoothly, we offer clear guidance on how to obtain your massage therapist license and keep up with ongoing education.
We're here to simplify the rules, assist you in checking your license status, and keep you informed about necessary learning. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to ensure you're well-prepared for a rewarding career in massage therapy.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Iowa
To become a licensed massage therapist in Iowa, you must complete 600 hours of training at a state-approved school. This training includes classroom studies in anatomy, physiology, and massage techniques, as well as hands-on clinical experience. After completing your training, you'll need to pass a National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) examination or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). Additionally, you must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and hold a current CPR certification to be eligible for licensure. The application process involves submitting your paperwork and paying a fee to the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy. Here's a more detailed look:
Education and Training Requirements:
Completion of Training: Aspiring massage therapists are required to complete aminimum of 6,000 hours of instruction from a school approved by the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy. These training hours include both classroom learning and hands-on clinical experience.
- Fundamentals of massage therapy.
- Clinical application of massage and bodywork therapies.
- Client communication theory and practice.
- Health care referral theory and practice.
- Anatomy and physiology.
- Kinesiology.
- Pathology and skills in infection control, injury prevention and sanitation.
- Iowa law and ethics.
- Business management, including legal and financial aspects, documentation and record maintenance.
- Wellness and healthy lifestyle theory and practice in such areas as hydrotherapy, hot and cold applications, spa techniques, nutrition, herbal studies, wellness models, somatic movement and energy work.
License Requirements:
Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18.
Meet CPR and first aid requirements by submitting either a current certification or official transcripts showing relevant coursework completed in the last year.
- Application Process: All applicants must verify that they have passed an exam. For those taking the MBLEx, results will be electronically sent to the Iowa Board if they are chosen as the recipient. The application fee is $120 and is nonrefundable. All application materials should be mailed to the Board office in Des Moines.
Massage Therapy Schools in Iowa
For those looking to start or advance their career in massage therapy, Iowa offers a range of reputable massage therapy schools throughout the state, featuring diverse programs tailored to various interests within the field. Here are highlights from different regions across Iowa, each providing unique programs and specializations:
- Carlson College of Massage Therapy: Located in Anamosa, this school focuses solely on massage therapy education. It boasts a high pass rate for the MBLEx licensure exam and offers a COMTA-accredited program. It's noted for its thorough approach and offers federal student aid for those who qualify.
- Academy-Ames: Established in 1978, PCI Academy offers a comprehensive 600-hour program that includes a variety of techniques like Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, and Sports Massage, with strong support for job placement and continuing education for alumni.
- Capri College-Davenport: Family-owned school with several locations in Iowa, offering a 720-hour program that covers a wide range of techniques and includes benefits like CPR training and certification.
- Aveda Institute-Des Moines: Known for its eco-friendly approach, this institute offers a 750-hour program that includes Swedish, deep tissue, and special therapies like aromaology and hydrotherapy.
- Iowa Lakes Community College: Offers a curriculum that integrates various massage techniques with business and ethics courses to prepare students comprehensively for their careers in massage therapy.
- Iowa School of Beauty: Provides a 650-hour program that can be completed in 26 weeks, covering a wide array of techniques and including business practices in the curriculum.
- La James International College: With multiple campuses across Iowa, La James offers a dual licensure program for massage therapy and esthetics, emphasizing business skills alongside massage techniques.
- Mystic School of Massage & Healing Arts: Located in Burlington, this school offers specialized programs in reflexology and holistic bodywork, focusing on integrative and energy therapies.
Choosing the right educational institution in Iowa for massage therapy involves considering several factors, such as a thorough curriculum, the school's accreditation, the hands-on experience offered, entry requirements, financial costs, and the flexibility of class schedules. Each school has its unique strengths—some may focus more on specific massage techniques, others might offer a broad curriculum that includes business and ethical training, and some may provide flexible scheduling options to accommodate the varied needs of their students.
Insurance Requirements
While there is no state-mandated requirement for massage therapists to carry liability insurance in Iowa, it is highly recommended that they do so due to the potential risks associated with the profession. Liability insurance protects massage therapists from claims and lawsuits that may arise during their practice.
A policy from Massage Magazine Insurance Plus offers comprehensive protection for massage therapists, providing $2 million in coverage per occurrence and a total aggregate coverage of $3 million. It exceeds the state’s minimum requirements, offering additional financial security.
For more detailed information, check out our Iowa massage insurance page.
How Much Does Iowa Massage Insurance Cost?
1 year full-time Professional Rate
$
169
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.46/day
2 year full-time
professional rate
$
299
/2yr
Cost to you: $0.41/day
1 year part-time
professional rate
$
159
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.43/day
License Renewals
In Iowa, massage therapists need to renew their licenses every two years. Here’s a concise guide based on Iowa regulations for license renewal:
License Renewal Steps:
- Renewal Deadline: Every two years, with a reminder sent by the state.
- Renewal Fee: The renewal fee is $60, plus any applicable online processing fees.
- Online Processing: License renewals can be completed online, which offers convenience and immediate processing of the renewal application.
Late Renewal: If you do not renew on time, a late fee will be assessed. You'll need to meet the renewal requirements, including continuing education, and pay the late fee within the grace period to reactivate your license.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements:
- CE Hours: 16 hours of CE credits for each two-year renewal period.
- Hands-On Instruction: At least 8 of these hours must be hands-on training. This requirement emphasizes the importance of live, in-person training or live, interactive media for practical skills.
- Flexible CE Hours: Courses can cover a range of topics relevant to massage therapy, including techniques, ethics, mandatory reporter training, and practice management.
Following these guidelines ensures a smooth renewal process, maintaining your license, and continuing your professional practice in Iowa.
MMIP offers over 60 hours of free online continuing education when you sign up for a policy.
Transfer of License and License Reciprocity
For therapists looking to transfer their license to Iowa or understand reciprocity, this is what you need to know:
License Transfer Requirements:
- Iowa allows licensure by endorsement for applicants from other states or the District of Columbia.
- You must pay the required licensure fee as part of the application process.
- Demonstrate that licensure requirements from your previous jurisdiction are similar to those in Iowa.
- Provide official copies of your academic transcripts, which must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Iowa Board.
- Show proof of having passed a National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) examination.
- You must provide verification of all licenses held in other jurisdictions. These verifications must be sent directly from the issuing jurisdictions to the Iowa Board.
Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact)
The Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) allows LMTs to practice across multiple states with one license.
- Iowa's Position: Iowa does not have current legislation regarding the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact). The compact map on the official Interstate Massage Compact website offers the latest updates on which states have enacted, are pending, or have not introduced the relevant legislation.
- About IMpact: The Compact aims to allow licensed massage therapists to practice in member states without additional licensing, promoting mobility within the profession. Each state must enact specific model legislation to join IMpact.
Read about the Interstate Massage Compact and its potential changes to the industry.
If you are a licensed massage therapist (LMT) in Iowa, staying informed about Iowa's involvement and updates related to the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) is important.
For massage therapists in Iowa or those interested in practicing there, it's important to stay informed about the progress of this legislation and its potential implications for your practice. To obtain the latest updates on IMpact, regular consultations with the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy and relevant professional organizations would be advisable.
Costs per day represents the cost of the total policy amount divided by policy days. Daily payments are not available.
