Since every state has its own licensing requirements, massage therapists who move to Oregon often find themselves in a pickle. Oregon has some of the most stringent requirements for licensing, which usually means you’ll need additional coursework to legally practice in this state. Amazingly, many administrators at massage schools in Oregon will state that you must complete a 500 hour program in-state to become licensed. This isn’t the case, so read on.
According to the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT,) the five requirements for licensing in Oregon are:
1) 300 hours of documented courses in Massage theory and practical application, clinical practice, business development, communication, ethics, sanitation, and hydrotherapy.
Most massage therapists moving to Oregon find that they have an adequate number of massage theory hours. The one area that differs most from neighboring states, like California, is the hydrotherapy stipulation. This is an easy requirement to check off, as Oregon School of Massage, which has branches in Portland and Salem, offers a $250 weekend hydrotherapy course in each of its four school terms.
Movers who need additional Massage theory hours can take any course that carries national or Oregon state CEU credits. If you’re in a hurry, this can be done via mail-in programs, many of which are listed in Massage Magazine. Choose from courses as varied as aromatherapy and infant massage to reflexology and zero balancing.
If you want to do your classes face to face, both OSM and East/West College offer full schedules of continuing education classes year round, ranging from Ortho-bionomy and Thai massage to Cancer Care and Reiki.
The business development, communications, and ethics categories can be covered by almost any course in a massage school that mentions the phrases “business development,” “communications,” or “ethics” in its course description. If you cannot come up with classes that have touched upon these topics, don’t believe the massage school administrators who tell you that you must take their entire 500 hour program to get licensed in Oregon. Oregon School of Massage allows students to take one-off classes, and the local community colleges offer several online options:
OSM: Communications and Ethics – 30 hours/10 class meetings, for $485
OSM: Business Intro – 15 hours/5 class meetings, for $250
Introduction to Business – 4 credits/40 hours, for $375 (offered at most of the community colleges)
2) 200 hours of of documented courses in health sciences consisting of Anatomy & Physiology, Pathology, and Kinesiology.
Movers to Oregon often find this requirement to be the most onerous, but with some planning, you can avoid twiddling your thumbs waiting to get licensed in your new state. You’ll need courses from all three categories – anatomy and physiology, pathology and kinesiology — from an approved massage school or vocational program, or from a for-credit course from a college. Continuing education, ‘not for credit’ classes will not suffice. If you have 4-6 months lead time prior to your move, online classes through Oregon’s extensive community college system can allow you to beef up your science hours to meet the state’s requirements before you become a resident. And the best news is that these schools extend low in-state tuition pricing to residents of Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington. The classes can be worked in around your schedule, and cost almost 50% less than similar courses at area massage schools.
BI 102I – General Biology-Human Biology
4 credits/40 hours/12 weeks $336
SouthwestOregonCommunity College
Body Structure and Function 1 (covers anatomy and physiology)
3 credits/30 hours/12 weeks $288
Body Structure and Function 2 (covers anatomy and physiology)
3 credits/30 hours/12 weeks $288
3) Pass the National Certification Exam (NCE) administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
This is the most easily misunderstood requirement. You need to pass this test, you do not need to obtain NCBTMB’s certification. The difference between passing the NCE and becoming nationally certified is that certification requires you to either graduate from a massage program, or submit a portfolio of your massage education, which the NCBTMB will review over 3-4 months time. You can get licensed in Oregon more quickly by simply choosing to take the NCE option. What’s the catch? If you think you may move to another state at some point, the national certification can be handy to have. Simply gather up all of your coursework and submit it for portfolio review after you’ve become licensed in Oregon. At that point, the 3-4 month wait time won’t hold up your earning power.
You’re on to the simplest, most straight-forward two steps….
4) Pass theOregonLaw Exam The Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT) will mail you this when you send in your application to become licensed. Simply fill out the test and mail it back in.
5)Pass the Oregon Practical exam, which is performed in-person and includes sections on communication and assessment, massage, and kinesiology. The OBMT will send you your test date after you send in your application.
If you’re nervous about this portion of licensing, Oregon School of Massage offers prep classes at their Portland and Salem locations in each of their four school terms:
