Georgia Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements

The perks of continuing education are multifold;you will need to have proper documentation of
not only do they encourage licensed professionalscompleted massage therapy continuing education
to be more mindful of changes and happeningscourses.
within their industry, they also ensure that these- This documentation should include proof of
professionals remain up-to-date on key knowledgeattendance and participation at a hands-on
and facts. Moreover, most professionalworkshop, seminar, conference, or other
organizations require such ongoing learning toeducational program. Upon completion of the
occur throughout the year. The field of massageprogram, you should be given a certificate that
therapy is no different. Continuing education isincludes a massage therapist license number and
more than just encouraging licensed massagethe approved provider's number (signed or
therapists to sharpen their massage therapyverified by a program official), and a program or
knowledge; it also ensures that they adhere tocourse description detailing the sponsor, course
high standards of professional performance.title, date, course, content description, and
In the state of Georgia, every two years (everyschedule.
even numbered year), licensed massage- For massage therapy continuing education
therapists must acquire twenty-four hours ofcourses that do not involve hands-on techniques,
massage therapy continuing education units insuch as lectures, multimedia courses,
order to remain compliant with the Georgia Statecorrespondence courses, or formal self-study,
Board of Massage Therapy regulations. This is toyou will also need a certificate of completion with
ensure that licensed massage therapists arethe information outlined above. In the case of
always current and continue to offer their clientsself-study, you will need to have verification by a
the best massage therapy possible.course sponsor as well as detailed information
By October 31, 2010, all licensed massageabout the nature of the course.
therapists in the state of Georgia will be requiredNew licensees: If you are a massage therapist
to renew their license with the state massagewho was licensed within the first year of the
board. One of the requirements is to submit proofbiennial renewal period, you will be responsible for
of participation in twenty-four hours of continuingacquiring only twelve massage therapy continuing
education courses. To learn more about what iseducation hours, six of which must be hands-on
needed to stay up-to-date and remain fullysupervised instruction. Massage therapists who
compliant as a licensed massage therapist inhave been licensed within the past twelve months
Georgia, always make sure that you visitare not held accountable for acquiring any
Remaining Compliant with the Statecontinuing education credits until the next renewal
Course hours & requirements: Twelve of theperiod.
twenty-four hours of massage therapy continuingRecord keeping: Your renewal application is
education must be hands-on or technique based,subject to a state audit. All licensed massage
while the remaining twelve hours can be on-line ortherapists will need to keep a record of
lecture only. Many licensed massage therapists useattendance and any supporting documentation for
this time to choose courses that focus onat least three years from the date of attendance.
massage techniques and/or modalities in whichDuring the license renewal application process, you
they wish to specialize or simply learn more about.will need to certify to the Georgia State Board of
Topics include sports massage, cranial sacralMassage Therapy that you have completed the
therapy, geriatric massage, spa techniques orhours required for license renewal.
pregnancy massage. The list of possible massageThe Perks of Continuing Education for Licensed
therapy continuing education courses is endless.AnMassage Therapists
approved list of courses and/or providers can beSchools across Georgia offer stimulating,
found on the National Certification Board forinteractive new ways of learning different
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)massage modalities. Massage therapy continuing
website ateducation is a great way to learn something new
Credentials: Before beginning any massageand perhaps even introduce a modality you had
therapy continuing education courses, ensure thatnot yet considered. Your employers and massage
the program in which you are enrolling is fullytherapy clients also benefit from your additional
recognized by the Georgia Board of Massageeducation.
Therapy and that the instructors are credentialed.With so many choices, picking and settling on your
The program should have a provider codetwenty-four required CEs should be fun! Just don't
number assigned by the NCBTMB in order toforget to file away your documentation in case of
issue credits.an audit!
Program documentation: Should you be audited,