The LBMT is a state office that regulates the practice of massage. It issues licenses to practitioners who obtain a specified level of education, pass an examination, and submit to a criminal background check. The board establishes and enforces licensure renewal and continuing education mandates, approving CE providers and programs.
Another responsibility is to license massage establishments that employ more than one practitioner, and register those with a single therapist. The board ensures that businesses renew their licenses and registrations every year.
These officials also receive compliments and complaints about practitioners and establishments, referring allegations of criminal conduct to local law enforcement agencies. The board takes disciplinary action against those who violate standards and ethics of the state’s Licensed Massage Therapy Practice Act.
There are six board members, four of whom are licensed massage therapists. The other member represents consumers.
Minimum Education Requirements for Massage Therapy Programs in Louisiana
The process to become a massage therapist in Louisiana begins with graduating from high school or obtaining a general educational development diploma. College-prep courses in science, health, and business give students a head start on their careers.
The state board licenses only those who graduate from accredited massage therapy schools that offer programs with at least 500 content hours of instruction and training. The curriculum must include 325 hours of classes covering massage techniques and clinical practicum-related modalities. Another 125 hours need to address anatomy and physiology.
Beyond those requirements, schools have considerable leeway in the instruction they provide. Some programs feature a broad array of massage methods, including Eastern and Western techniques. Others focus on clinical treatments or spa therapies. The amount of time students spend in real-world clinical settings varies according to the school.
A certificate or diploma enables a prospective practitioner to apply for a state license. The board approves applications from those who pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards registers students online to take the test at Pearson VUE assessment centers.
Every year, Louisiana practitioners must contact the board for license renewals. They have to show proof of having received 12 or more hours of continuing education.