This is one of the few places where the practice of massage therapy is unregulated at the state level. No license from the Kansas government is available, despite numerous attempts by state lawmakers to pass legislation creating an oversight authority.
However, some towns and cities issue licenses to practitioners. The requirements to become certified, and the standards to which massage therapists are held, vary by jurisdiction.
Minimum Education Requirements for Massage Therapy Programs in Kansas
To become a massage therapist in Kansas, a student must first earn a high school diploma or GED. Enrolling in an accredited school recognized by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) enhances employment prospects.
Some Kansas municipalities require practitioners to graduate from a program that provides a certain number of clock hours of instruction and training. In the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, massage therapists must complete a 500-hour curriculum that covers anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, hygiene, and first aid — in addition to hands-on training.
The town of Lenexa mandates graduation from a 500-hour program at a school with NCBTMB certification. Practitioners also must have a healing arts license, as well as CPR certification that is not obtained online.
Prospective therapists in Kansas should strongly consider obtaining education that complies with national standards, since the state Legislature is likely to eventually impose regulations. The NCBTMB and the American Massage Therapy Association sanction schools with programs consisting of 500 or more clock hours. Some institutions offer programs with as many as 900 hours.
Students learn a range of massage techniques — Eastern and Western, from ancient traditions to modern medical therapies. Programs also typically feature courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, business, laws, and ethics.
To practice in most states, and perhaps soon in Kansas, it is necessary to pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). A Kansas student can take the test in a neighboring state and then apply for licensure there. An application for the exam must be filed with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board (FSMTB).