For practical, message-based courses, instructors must have a Kentucky license and at least 3 years massage experience.
For science-based courses, instructors can be a licensed massage therapist with 3 years experience, or “have certification or specific higher education in the subject they are teaching.”
Educational Requirements for Massage Instructors
Massage instructors teaching massage technique or theory courses are required to have a massage license.
Which requires 600 hours of massage education, a background check and passing the MBLEX exam.
The 600 hours of education at an approved Kentucky massage school must include:
- 125 Hours of Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology
- 200 Hours of massage theory and techniques
- 200 Hours of business practices, contraindications, ethics and legal issues
- 40 Hours of pathology
- 35 Hours of Electives
Recommended Experience
Massage therapy instructors teaching practical courses in hands-on massage work required to have at least 3 years professional experience practising massage therapy.
Continuing Education Requirements for Teachers
Continuing education requirements are not specifically spelt out for instructors.
But massage licensure requires a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education every two years.
Insurance Requirements – Kentucky
The state of Kentucky does not explicitly require its practitioners or teachers to carry professional liability insurance.
Given that insurance costs are relatively low, and risk can potentially high, it is a good idea to carry insurance even though it not required.
Liability insurance is available through a massage professional organization.
Such as AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) or ABMP (Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals).
AMTA’s professional membership explicitly includes insurance for massage professionals working as classroom teachers.
Fees
There are no specific fees associated with becoming a massage therapy school instructor, other than the license fee to practice massage in Kentucky if a teacher is teaching massage theory.
An initial 2-year license costs $125.
After that, licenses must renew every 2 years at a cost of $100, plus the cost of at least 24 hours of continuing education.
Relevant Links
Kentucky Statutes: Requirements for Massage Teachers & Schools
Kentucky Massage Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
Neal Lyons is a founding member and volunteer contributor at the MTSI Institute, an information based portal dedicated to guiding and assisting aspiring massage therapists establish a successful career in massage. Neal is a published author and has collaborated on several mobile applications that serve the massage profession. You can view his published work on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Sony and Kobo. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and on Google+
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