This government agency’s goal is to ensure “public safety” by preventing “unscrupulous and poorly trained people” from practicing in the field.
The board establishes educational and examination requirements for therapists, issues licenses to them, and enforces guidelines for license renewal and continuing education. The panel sets standards for schools’ curricula and faculty, approving institutions that meet the criteria. The board also inspects massage businesses.
The governor appoints five board members, including three licensed massage therapists, one instructor, and one person who represents consumers.
Minimum Education Requirements for Massage Therapy Programs in North Dakota
To become a massage therapist in North Dakota, a student must enroll in an accredited postsecondary institution with a massage therapy program that the state board has approved. Postsecondary institutions require applicants to have high school diplomas or GEDs. Health, science, and business courses in high school help prepare prospective practitioners for further studies.
The board mandates that a program provide at least 750 clock hours of instruction and training. This must include 150 hours of classes in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; 40 hours of pathology; 130 hours of introductory massage therapy coursework; 10 hours of CPR and first aid; 175 hours of hands-on clinical experience; and 50 hours of business, ethics, and career development.
Students are expected to learn massage therapy theory, contraindications, sanitation, and disease prevention. Programs vary in the types of massage techniques they teach. Some provide more clinical practice than others. The board stipulates that licensed, experienced healthcare professionals with master’s degrees teach all classes.
Graduates apply to the board for licenses to practice in the state. One of the licensure requirements is to pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) approves applications to take the test at a Pearson VUE assessment center.
Practitioners have to renew their licenses every two years. This involves receiving 24 hours of continuing education, 12 of which must be hands-on classroom training. No more than 10 hours may be earned online. For the first renewal, the board requires three or more hours of ethics education.