How To Be A Massage Therapist Santa Rosa CA

How to Find the Best Massage Therapy Course near Santa Rosa California

Santa Rosa CA massage therapist working on shoulderChoosing the best massage therapist school near Santa Rosa CA is an important first step toward launching a fulfilling first or second career as a massage therapist.  After all, who wouldn’t want to work in a profession where the primary goal is to help people feel and function better?  Massage therapists are employed in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, day spas, health clubs and even aboard cruise ships!  However prior to starting a career in this specialty of alternative medicine, receiving the proper training and licensing is essential.  And remember that not all massage therapy programs are the same.  When evaluating your options, it’s essential that you research all aspects of the schools you are considering and not make your decision based solely on location or cost of tuition.  Following are some basic tips that you need to include in your due diligence process when choosing a massage therapy school.

What is a Massage Therapist?

knee massage therapy in Santa Rosa CAAs mentioned in the introduction, massage therapy is a holistic form of healthcare in Santa Rosa CA that helps people feel and function better. The massage therapist manipulates skin, muscles and tissue to reduce stress and relieve tension and pain in their patients.  Swedish, or Classic Massage, is the type of massage that most people think of when discussing massage therapy, and most massage therapy schools teach it as their primary form of massage.  However, there are many other types of massage that programs may or may not include within their course of instruction.  Following are just a few examples.

  • Neuromuscular Therapy Massage
  • Deep Tissue Massage
  • Sports Massage
  • Shiatsu Massage
  • Thai Massage
  • Hot Stone Massage
  • Pregnancy Massage

Professionals that work in massage therapy in Santa Rosa CA should be referred to as massage therapists. From time to time one may hear them called a masseuse or a masseur, which refers to a female or a male massage practitioner. However, these terms generally carry a negative connotation among the general public and professionals alike and should be avoided.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Massage Therapy Schools Near You!

Massage Therapist Education Requirements

Santa Rosa CA massage therapy school studentMost schools offering massage therapy require that the enrollee have a high school diploma or its equivalent to qualify. Programs can range in length from several months for a Certificate or a Diploma to as long as two years for an Associate’s Degree.  The lengths of the programs will also vary by State based on the number of hours required for licensing.  Another factor that may also influence the program length is whether classes are offered in Santa Rosa CA during the day or in the evening.  Also, an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy may have general education requirements and are often transferable into a related Bachelor’s Degree Program.  Once you have received your Certificate or Degree, the education does not end there. The amount and type of continuing education you will need to complete will depend on the State where you are licensed.  Some states require both a certain number of hours of continuing education as well as specific education in subjects such as HIPAA compliance or ethics.

Massage Therapist Licensing

Once you have graduated from an accredited massage therapy school, you will then need to become licensed in the State where you will be practicing.  The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), is a test controlled and administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and is required by most States as part of the licensing process.  Some States have their own or additional exams, so check with your State prior to enrolling in a massage therapy program.  If you do not pass the MBLEx in the first attempt, you can take it again after 30 days but must pay an additional exam fee.  Once licensed, you will need to maintain it in most states, which means paying a renewal fee and satisfying renewal requirements.  As previously mentioned, renewal typically requires a certain number of hours of continuing education be completed.  And if you should move to another State, you will need to get licensed in that new State as well. Every State regulates massage therapy differently, so it is not safe to assume that you will automatically qualify for licensing. Check with your new State before moving to confirm that you meet the requirements to legally practice there.

Questions to Ask Massage Therapist Programs

Questions to ask Santa Rosa CA massage therapy schoolsBefore you select a massage therapist program, there are some important questions that you need to ask about the programs you are considering.  As previously mentioned, the location of the school is important, particularly if you will be commuting to classes from Santa Rosa CA. And of course the total cost, including tuition, books and all training materials will also be an important factor.  But beyond those basic qualifications, following are some questions you should ask so that you have all of the facts before selecting a massage therapist training program.

  • Is the School Accredited? Accreditation may be required for licensing as well as student loans or financial aid. It also helps to ensure that the program meets acceptable levels of quality.  Some Santa Rosa CA employers also prefer job candidates from accredited schools.
  • Does their Curriculum Comply with EALP Standards? Entry-Level Analysis Project (EALP) standards were created by an association of massage organizations to define minimum standards for preparing massage school graduates for entry-level professional work.
  • What Massage Therapy Programs are Available? Find out if the type of program you are interested in is available, such as an Associate Degree in Massage Therapy. Also, if you need to attend evening classes near Santa Rosa CA make sure that they are offered as well.
  • What Types of Massage Therapy are Taught? As previously mentioned, most massage therapy schools teach Swedish Massage. However, the better programs include multiple types of massage therapy.  Make sure that the program you choose includes those you are most interested in.
  • Is Financial Aid Available? To qualify for federal financial aid or a student loan, the school will need to be accredited by a national accrediting organization.  Find out from the schools you are considering what they offer in aid or if they assist students in obtaining funding from other sources.
  • How Long has the School Existed? One indication that a school provides a quality education is longevity.  However, all schools had to start from day one, and many fine schools are relatively new.  So use this as one of several qualifications when comparing schools.
  • Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Find out if the schools have job placement programs and what their placement rates are.  Ask if they assist with such skills as how to interview for a position and how to prepare a resume.
  • Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? This includes classroom training as well as placement in internship programs.  The best massage therapy schools make sure that students have plenty of time to practice what they learn so they can develop their skills and be corrected when necessary.
  • What is the Background of the Faculty? Find out what the experience and credentials are of the teaching faculty.  Speaking with schools’ faculty in person can also provide valuable information. Before applying, arrange to take a tour of the school and talk with staff members and students if permissible. Schools may also have Open House events for prospective students.

How To Be A Massage Therapist Santa Rosa CA

Santa Rosa CA massage therapist with clientGood luck as you embark on your journey to begin a career as a professional massage therapist.  As with all things worth achieving, it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed.  You originally came to this website because of your interest in How To Be A Massage Therapist and wanting to get more information on the topic Registered Massage Therapist School.  However, by following the suggestions contained within this article, you will have an excellent opportunity for success by picking the right massage therapy degree program.  And with the right education you will soon become a professional massage therapist servicing the Santa Rosa California area.

Other Massage Therapy Locations in California

  • Accredited Massage Schools Ventura CA
  • Colleges That Offer Massage Therapy Delhi CA
  • Massage Therapy Training Programs Aptos CA
  • Massage Therapy Degree Cost Chatsworth CA
  • Schools With Massage Therapy Programs Glenn CA
  • Medical Massage Therapy School Mammoth Lakes CA
  • Learning Massage Therapy At Home Desert Center CA
  • Online Massage Therapy Schools Accredited Adin CA
  • Therapeutic Massage Schools Near Me Holt CA
  • Massage Therapy Programs Near Me Mountain Ranch CA
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

     

    Santa Rosa, California

    Santa Rosa (Spanish for "Saint Rose") is a city in and the county seat of Sonoma County, in California's Wine Country.[10] Its estimated 2016 population was 175,155.[11] Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Redwood Empire, Wine Country and the North Bay; the fifth most populous city in the San Francisco Bay Area after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont; and the 28th most populous city in California.

    Santa Rosa was founded in 1833 and named after Saint Rose of Lima. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Santa Rosa Plain was home to a strong and populous tribe of Pomo natives known as the Bitakomtara. The Bitakomtara controlled the area closely, barring passage to others until permission was arranged. Those who entered without permission were subject to harsh penalties. The tribe gathered at ceremonial times on Santa Rosa Creek near present-day Spring Lake Regional Park. Upon the arrival of Europeans, the Pomos were decimated by smallpox brought from Europe. By 1900 the Pomo population had decreased by 95%.[12]

    The first known permanent European settlement of Santa Rosa was the homestead of the Carrillo family, in-laws to Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who settled the Sonoma pueblo and Petaluma area. In the 1830s, during the Mexican period, the family of María López de Carrillo built an adobe house on their Rancho Cabeza de Santa Rosa land grant, just east of what later became downtown Santa Rosa. Allegedly, however, by the 1820s, before the Carrillos built their adobe in the 1830s, Spanish and Mexican settlers from nearby Sonoma and other settlements to the south raised livestock in the area and slaughtered animals at the fork of the Santa Rosa Creek and Matanzas Creek, near the intersection of modern-day Santa Rosa Avenue and Sonoma Avenue. This is supposedly the origin of the name of Matanzas Creek as, because of its use as a slaughtering place, the confluence came to be called La Matanza.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 415

    Sonoma Mobile Massage
    34 Reviews
    Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    884 Third St, Ste D, Santa Rosa, CA 95436

    Lani Collins Massage
    2 Reviews
    Massage Therapy, Massage, Trainers
    Phone:
    Santa Rosa, CA 95407

    Ayala Wellness
    14 Reviews
    Massage, Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    Santa Rosa, CA 95407

    Pivotal Touch Healing
    34 Reviews
    Massage Therapy, Reiki
    Phone:
    631 4th St, Ste 16, Holistic Beauty, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

    Rose Bodyworks
    25 Reviews
    Massage, Massage Therapy, Day Spas
    Phone:
    213 Wappo Ave, Ste 203, Calistoga, CA 94515

    Mark Senzig, BCTMB MMT CMT
    29 Reviews
    Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    1601 Terrace Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

    Hands In Harmony
    5 Reviews
    Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    825 College Ave, Ste 0, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

    Alissa Stickel, CMT
    2 Reviews
    Massage Therapy
    Phone:
    884 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

    Shannon Gilmore Massage Therapy
    2 Reviews
    Massage Therapy, Massage
    Phone:
    400 Ronsheimer Rd, Penngrove, CA 94951

    Santa Rosa Medical Massage
    48 Reviews
    Massage Therapy, Tui Na
    Phone:
    1515 Montgomery Dr, Ste A, Santa Rosa, CA 95405