This state does not have a separate board that regulates practitioners or facilities. A division of the Connecticut Department of Health, the Massage Therapist Licensure department, certifies license applicants’ qualifications to practice in the state.
Officials base the decision on whether a student has earned a certificate from an approved school, and passed the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). The department also sets the rules for license renewals and continuing education requirements. It investigates complaints, and penalizes those who violate laws and regulations.
Minimum Education Requirements for Massage Therapy Programs in Connecticut
All programs must involve at least 500 clock hours of coursework and clinical experience. However, 750 hours are necessary for recognition by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
The board’s approval is not required for a school’s licensure in Connecticut. An alternative is certification by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.
An NCBTMB-assigned school must teach 125 hours of body systems, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; 40 hours of pathology; and 10 hours of business and ethics. Accredited curricula also feature at least 200 hours of supervised instruction in real-world settings.
That leaves 125 or more hours for courses that vary depending upon the school. Programs offer instruction in various kinds of bodywork, such as acupressure, Swedish massage, and deep-tissue massage. Some schools operate their own public clinics, while others have affiliations with off-campus facilities.
After graduating from a school and earning a certificate, the next step to become a massage therapist in Connecticut is to take the MBLEx. Applicants need to contact the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards to be approved for the test. This entails a fee of about $200. Students take the exam at Pearson VUE assessment centers in Norwalk, the Hartford area, and the New Haven area.
The state mandates that practitioners renew their licenses every two years. To qualify, a therapist must complete 135 hours of education in a refresher course or pass the Prometric Licensing Examination. The renewal fee is more than $250.
Another requirement is to receive 24 hours of continuing education once every four years. Some online courses are available, but no more than six hours may be earned in Internet-based or distance-learning programs. Up to 12 hours can come from programs the NCBTMB has not approved.