This government agency, a division of the Arkansas Department of Health, regulates massage therapy in the state. It licenses practitioners, and determines whether working professionals and school instructors meet competency standards. The committee fines those who violate laws, rules, and regulations.
Schools must have “adequate space” and pass regular inspections. They are required to provide students with syllabi, and ensure that a certain minimum percentage of graduates pass the licensure exam. The committee establishes strict criteria regarding school curricula.
The eight panel members represent all of the state’s four congressional districts. Six of them are licensed massage therapists. Selection is based on “interest, experience, minority status, area of expertise, and geographical area.”
Minimum Education Requirements for Massage Therapy Programs in Arkansas
To become a massage therapist in this state, a student must first obtain a high school diploma or GED. The next step is to enroll in a massage therapy certificate program at an accredited, state-approved school.
The Technical Advisory Committee requires schools to offer 500 hours of coursework and clinical training. This is to include 175 hours of classes in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and massage contraindications.
Another 225 hours of instruction needs to cover various massage techniques, with 25 hours in each of the following: hydrotherapy, heliotherapy, and electrotherapy; massage-related law, ethics, and business management; and hygiene and infection control. A student may receive additional credit for 50 hours of hands-on experience. Some Arkansas schools are in massage clinics.
A graduate must pass two examinations to qualify for a license from the Department of Health. For most applicants, the first test is the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). Alternatives are the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) and the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCETMB).
The MBLEx application form is available on the FSMTB website. Pearson VUE offers the exam at sites in Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Rogers. Applicants pay a fee of about $200.
Students take the second required test, the Arkansas Law Exam, by scheduling an appointment at the state department’s office in Little Rock. The test measures an applicant’s knowledge of Arkansas statutes and regulations.