Minnesota is one of the few states with no massage therapy board. Practitioners do not need licenses, and there are no rules governing MT school programs or instructors.
Some Minnesota cities and towns impose minimum criteria for curricula. For instance, MT programs in St. Paul must provide 500 clock hours of instruction and training.
Career schools need operating licences from the state Office of Higher Education.
Minimum Education Requirements for Massage Therapy Programs in Minnesota
Earning a high school diploma or GED is the first step to become a massage therapist in Minnesota. Taking extra health and science classes in high school helps prepare students for MT training.
Then it is time to find a postsecondary school. An accredited institution that delivers at least 500 clock hours of massage therapy instruction is recommended, to satisfy requirements in many other states. Employers may prefer job applicants from schools with programs meeting the standards of national certification organizations.
Core courses typically include anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, hygiene, and laws and ethics. Students learn basic Swedish massage and work in clinical settings. The rest of the curriculum is not the same at every school. Some programs cover a wider range of massage techniques than others, provide more clinical experience, or teach students how to establish their own businesses.
Graduates are eligible to look for jobs right away. Unlike almost every other state, there are no examination or licensing requirements. However, prospective practitioners might enhance their employment prospects by taking the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination. They can apply for the test online with the National Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
Taking continuing education classes every couple of years keeps a massage therapist up to date with professional practices, laws, and regulations.