Indiana Massage Schools & License Requirements

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Indiana is a beautiful and thriving state located in the Midwestern and Great Lakes region of North America.

Here, you will find beautiful lakes stretching long and wide, surrounded by various cultured people.

The historical background of Indiana reflects the country’s rich history and provides a state of relaxation and interest for those who visit and make this their home.

Becoming a massage therapist in the state of Indiana is a wise decision to make, simply because the salary is quite attractive and the industry is flourishing.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics State Occupational Projections, there is an expected 13% increase in the amount of massage therapy jobs throughout the state of Indiana by the year 2016.

In this article, you will discover all of the rules and requirements for becoming a licensed professional massage therapist in Indiana.

Take time to understand all of this information and begin making a successful career out of your efforts.

Scroll straight to the bottom to see a list of the top massage therapy schools in Indiana.

Brief Summary of the Main Highlights

Like many other states, Indiana has its own massage therapy board known as the Professional Licensing Agency: State Board of Massage Therapy.

This massage therapy board is the governing organization set out to create and manage all statutes and rules set for massage therapists in the state of Indiana.

To become a licensed massage therapist here, you must follow certain rules, guidelines and meet set requirements before you may operate a business.

A criminal background check, completed application and meeting certain examination guidelines are of the many requirements for becoming a massage therapist in the state of Indiana.

Schooling Details and Requirements (Credit Hours)

The state of Indiana requires you to take massage related and approved courses that total at least 500 hours of in-class instruction.

The following are the areas of study that you must include in your schooling:

  • Massage Assessment
  • Application
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Kinesiology
  • Body Systems
  • Pathology
  • Ethics and Business Practices

After fully completing the required education courses for your massage therapy licensure, you must also complete one of the required examinations before your massage license may be issued to you.

The following are the examinations with a brief description included:

  • MBLEx – This particular exam is called the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination.
  • It is governed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and is designed to provide a standard examination for you as an entry-level professional.
  • NCETMB – The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork is a 125-question massage exam that was created by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. The NCETMB requires you to know and understand CAM assessment, application, and diagnostic tools used in Ayurvedic and acupuncture treatments.
  • NCETM – The NCETM is similar to the NCETMB examination; however, it requires you to know the basic 500-hour curriculum information, with modality definition knowledge and basic knowledge of aromatherapy.
  • NBCA – The NBCA stands for National Board Certification Agency Examinations.
  • Here, you can take an entry-level exam designed for massage therapists who have completed 600 hours of supervised instruction or other comparable requirements.
  • This exam requires you to understand anatomy and physiology, bony landmarks, ethics and strokes and includes several essay-style questions as well.

Licensure Qualifying Programs

In the state of Indiana, there are several massage therapy schools and institutions that offer approved programs for you to attend.

Below is a brief description, along with contact information for some of the leading schools in the state for massage therapy.

If you would like a more comprehensive list of all the surrounding schools, you can click this link.

Midwest Academy of Healing Arts
44 West Main Street
Brownsburg, IN 46112
Email: info@midwestacademymassage.com
Phone: 317-293-8076

Carmel School of Massage & Healing Arts
240 S. Rangeline Road #4
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: 317-414-8660

Alternatives for Health
1260 Jackson Street
Columbus, IN
Email: afhinc@tls.net
Phone: 812-376-9194

American College Massage School
100 South Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Email: gmiller@netnitco.net
Phone: 888-662-2585

Bodyworks Massage Institute
2112 Maxwell Avenue
Evansville, IN 47711
Phone: 812-490-9009

Licensing/Certification Requirements

To apply for your massage therapy license in Indiana, you must meet certain requirements and submit specific documents for the Board’s consideration.

After you have completed your 500-hour coursework and successfully taken and passed one of the above-mentioned examinations, then you are ready to continue applying and pursuing your massage therapy license.

Below is a list of some of the information and instructions for submitting your massage therapist application.

For additional information, you may visit this website as well.

  • A Criminal Background Check is an action that you MUST take before you can complete your massage therapy application.
  • As of July 1, 2011, the State Board of Massage Therapy declared that all applicants must complete a Criminal Background Check.
  • To begin your check you can visit this site. However, please take note that a Criminal Background Check completed prior to submitting your application is not considered valid.
  • Fill out and submit your completed application.
  • Be sure that you include your Social Security number as it is the state’s requirement.
  • With your application, you must also send in the $100 application fee.
  • This application fee is nonrefundable and must be made out as a check or money order payable to “Indiana Professional Licensing Agency”.
  • A recent passport size photograph must accompany your application.
  • The exact measurements must be 2X2” in size.
  • The official transcripts of your grades from the massage therapy program or school that you attended must be sent directly from the school to the Board.
  • If you are a graduate from a foreign program, then you must submit an official translation if the transcript is not made out in English.
  • Foreign graduates must also submit a credentials evaluation.
  • This credentials evaluation must be prepared only for the State of Indiana by the following service:
            International Education Research Foundation, INC
            P.O. Box 3665
            Culver City, CA 90231
            Phone: 310-258-9451
            Fax: 310-342-7086
            www.ierf.org
  • Proof that you took and passed one of the approved massage therapy examinations and the results must be sent directly from one of the organizations.
  • A notarized copy of your professional liability insurance must accompany your application.
  • If you hold or have any additional licensures or certifications from any other state, including Indiana, to practice any profession then a verified copy will need to be submitted as well.
  • If your name has changed at any time, a notarized copy of a marriage certificate or an official affidavit must be submitted if your name is different from any other submitted documents.

Key Agencies/Boards involved and their contact information

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency is the governing organization overall professionally licensed professions. Underneath Indiana, Professional Licensing Agency is the State Board of Massage Therapy, which houses several representatives responsible for creating and mandating rules and regulations for licensed massage therapists in the state of Indiana.

If you would like to contact the Board, please consider the following information:

Professional Licensing Agency
Attn: State Board of Massage Therapy
402 W Washington St, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Staff Phone Number: 317-234-3009
Staff Email: pla9@pla.in.gov

Requirements to Start A Massage Business in Indiana (Massage Establishment License)

In the state of Indiana, starting and owning your own massage therapy business can be an exciting, exhilarating and lengthy process.

However daunting the task may seem, the < href=”http://www.in.gov/sos/business/2428.htm”>Business Division of the Indiana government website offers you an abundance of information for getting your foot in the door.

Some of the considerations you will need to address in starting your massage business include:

  • Choosing a structure and forming your business – are you a sole proprietor? A partnership? Or a corporation? The associated tax information is included in the business guide on the Indiana website.
  • Officially form your business – This includes filing for your taxes, paying a filing fee, submitting your name and street address and signing important documents at the courthouse.
  • Select a name for your business – Perform a name availability check for your business name prior to submitting it for the state’s records.
  • You can do this by visiting the linked website here.
  • After you have decided on a name, you may either file an application or file documents to organize the business under that name.

Massage License Renewal Process

Renewing your massage license in the state of Indiana is a rather simple process.

In many states, you would be required to take a certain amount of continuing education hours, but Indiana does not require this. However, you must keep up to date information on the Board and submit a renewal application every year that your renewal is due.

All massage therapist certificates and licenses expire on May 15th every 4 years.

When you are up for renewal, the Board will send you a notification email asking you to fill out the renewal application and submit the $150 renewal fee.

Checks or money orders must be made payable to “Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.”

Any late renewals must pay an additional $50 late fee.

If you have any questions regarding the renewal process, you may email the Massage Therapy Board at pla6@pla.in.gov.

Massage License Reciprocity

As per the Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy, there are no reciprocity guidelines set for massage therapists.

Note: Specific personal information, office addresses, fees, payments etc.

May change over time.

Although we do our best to keep this site up to date, please ensure you contact the state board to obtain the most recent information at the time of your application.

Here is a list of the top massage therapy schools near you.

We have an arrangement with all of them that allow you to request information for FREE.

Please do so and take that first step toward a better future.

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Link to video lesson.

Learn how to become a massage school teacher in Indiana here.

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+

22 comments on “Indiana Massage Schools & License Requirements
  1. To whom it may concern
    The Alexandria School of Scientific Therapeutics Inc is not listed also it shows 50 hours of study to get a certification in the state of Indiana but it should read 500 hours.
    Thank you
    Herbert L Hobbs CEO/Administrator

    • Neal Lyons says:

      Absolutely Herbert. This was a typo on our part. It has been fixed. Thank you for providing your valuable feedback. We will be releasing a more comprehensive directory for each State. Please stay tuned for a broader listing of schools.

  2. MW says:

    In the state of California, the national exam is waved if you exceed the 500 hour requirement. And only the basic application process is required. I was waived because of 1,000 hours of massage education from NY state. Does Indiana provide the same waiver?

    • Neal Lyons says:

      Every State is unique specifically when it comes to exemption from a National exam. Because these rules are fluid and change frequently, only the State board will be able to accurately answer as of a point in time. To our knowledge, the answer is no unfortunately.

  3. Joe Tewell says:

    Do you NEED to be licensed in the state of Indiana to provide or charged for massage therapy services or is the license only to say you are a LMT or CMT?
    Thanks
    Joe Tewell

    • Neal Lyons says:

      Joe – technically you need the appropriate credentials to practice massage in exchange for monetary exchange. You cannot call yourself an LMT or CMT without the actual credential.

    • Jessica says:

      The Indiana massage law states that unless a person holds the state-issued massage therapy certification, he or she cannot:

      (1) profess to be a certified massage therapist; or

      (2) use:

      (A) the title “Certified Massage Therapist” or “MassageTherapist”; or

      (B) the abbreviation “CMT” or “MT” to imply the person is a certified massage therapist

      However, there is a bill in the state legilstaure right now roposing to change the law to mandatory licesnure, meaning you would have to have a license to practice massage therapy, no matter what you’re calling yourself. The bill has a good chance of passing and becoming law.

      Nancy Potter

      Government Relations Coordinator

      Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

      Phone: (303) 679-2171

      Toll free: (800) 458-2267 ext. 671

      My hours: Mon, Tues, Fri 8:30am-2:00pm MT and Thurs 9am-1pm MT

      So, after communicating with Nancy through email I was informed I can practice massage but I cannot refer to myself as a CMT or use the initials.

      • Neal Lyons says:

        Jessica – this is excellent information and thank you for sharing it with the community. we always encourage folks to contact the boards and get first hand information. while our information is a good starting point and provides general background, it does not get into specifics because the rules/laws and regulations can change from time to time. it is best to get the most current information before spending time or resources on any initiative. appreciate you sharing this as many can benefit from it. hopefully it encourages others to do the same and pay the way forward by sharing useful information. all the best ahead and please keep us posted on what you are doing and the experience you are going through.

  4. Diane Rangele says:

    Where can I find a comprehensive list of “approved” schools in Indiana?

  5. Midwest Academy of Healing Arts went out of business several years ago. Just thought you should know. And I didn’t see the Indiana Therapeutic Massage School. How often is this updated?

    • Neal Lyons says:

      hi Lesley

      can you send an email through the website/blog? we will make sure your feedback is incorporated. we do a mass update once a year and periodically as well as information trickles in such as feedback from readers like yourself.

  6. Lynn Leabo says:

    I am a licensed massage therapist in Michigan for the last 19 yrs. Could I use my license in Indiana and if not what would I have to do to get a Indiana license. Thanks for your help

    • Neal Lyons says:

      Lynn, you will have to contact the Indiana massage state board and transfer your MI license to IN. they will help you determine whether your background and experience is sufficient to do an easy reciprocity transfer. if not, they will tell you what you need to do. all states have different requirements.

  7. Jama Reynolds says:

    Hello, I am seriously considering going to school in Indiana to get licensed in massage therapy but I do have a few drug charges/felonies on my background. Will this stop me from getting a job in the field in Indiana? I don’t have any violent crime charges on my record, only drug charges. A
    (I’m now sober for over 1 year!!)
    🙂 thanks for your help!

    • Neal Lyons says:

      Jama – it is possible to get your massage license. have you contacted the state board? what did they say? why don’t you go ahead and apply for school? the background issues may surface later when you apply for work, however with enough time behind you this may go away. you can also consider practicing independently.

    • Jama,
      Congratulations on staying sober for 1 year! I’ve spoken to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and this was there response.

      “You can let her know that the Board considers charges on an individual basis and that she must disclose all charges on her application and provide the board with a notarized personal statement/summary of all charges along with all court documents.

      She may review the following Indiana Code regarding convictions.

      IC 25-1-1.1-2 Suspensions, Denial, Revocation of a license or certificate for specified convictions. The link is below.”

      http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2014/ic/titles/025/articles/001/

      Although it may be difficult to obtain a job with a Massage Therapy business, you could always go into business for yourself. At the Alexandria School of Scientific Therapeutics, we would be happy to have you as a Massage Therapy Student and be glad to help you through the Certification and Licensing processes.

      Thanks!
      Amanda S. Miller
      ASSTI – Administrative Assistant

  8. Tracy says:

    I am a licensed and board certified MT in IN and have moved to CA…. in applying for the new license, they need to verify my education and the school i attended closed… i have not been successful in contacting the owner…. how can I give the CA folks the info they require on a closed school?

    • Neal Lyons says:

      personal records you have kept is the only way, or getting in touch with folks who used to work at the school and having them write you a letter or attestation. always keep your records~

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