If you are in one of the following states you may wish to check with your state about licensing requirements: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. In other states, like California, licensing occurs at the city or county level where the business resides. You can check with your city or county clerk about licensing requirements. A listing of massage laws in the states that license massage therapists can be found in the book "Massage, A Career at Your Fingertips" by Martin Ashley, or on his website at: www.CareerAtYourFingertips.com

Regardless of the local requirements I believe it is best to establish a foundation of massage therapy knowledge and then apply your knowledge to practical experience. This is the best way to learn and get started in my opinion. After some "working world" experience you can return and take classes on techniques that you want to specialize in. These classes will also make sense to your experience and will be easily integrated into your practice.