Learn how to become a massage therapist in Connecticut
If you’re thinking about starting a massage therapy career in Connecticut, it’s important to understand the educational requirements, relevant exams you need to pass and the legal requirements that must be fulfilled in order to become a licensed massage therapist.
With strong job growth projections over the next decade and a median annual salary that surpasses the national median, working as a massage therapist in Connecticut could be a stable career with a strong earning potential.
“The sky’s the limit for massage therapists right now,” said Sandra Cook, the campus director for the Cortiva Institute’s campus in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Requirements for becoming a massage therapist in Connecticut
Becoming a licensed massage therapist in Connecticut involves a few pivotal steps. Connecticut’s Department of Public Health states that in order to qualify for a massage therapist license, you must complete the following:
Graduate from an accredited massage therapy program of at least 750 classroom hours
Complete 60 hours of unpaid clinical internship experience
Pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) formerly administered by the NCBTMB.
Submit an online application and pay the appropriate fee
Massage therapy education in Connecticut
The journey to becoming a licensed massage therapist begins with the proper education and training. In Connecticut, this means you must complete at least 750 hours of class instruction (online courses don’t count towards your total) covering subjects like anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and massage theory, along with 60 hours of an unpaid clinical internship experience, for a total of 810 hours.
“In Connecticut they have gone from a 720-hour program up to an 810-hour state requirement, which allowed us to bring in additional modalities,” Cook said. “At our campus it’s not just the basic massage program that you get anymore. We have different modalities like reflexology, lymphatic massage, sports massage and orthopedic massage. There are so many other modalities that we were able to include so that when our students leave to go into the field, they can offer more services to these people which allows for so much potential. And the more you know, the more you can get paid.”
Furthermore, the program(s) you attend must be accredited by either:
An agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or by a state board of postsecondary technical trade and business schools
“Definitely go to a massage school and take a tour. See how that school feels to you and see what that school has to offer. Does that school offer additional certificates other than just a certification from the school? With our school, they leave with a certification in reflexology, they leave with a certification in craniosacral [massage]. So really look at what they have to offer as far as the different modalities,” Cook said.
Exams and licensing
Once the required educational hours are completed, candidates must then pass a licensing examination. Connecticut accepts both the MBLEx and NCETMB examinations, which evaluate the theoretical knowledge and practical abilities of prospective massage therapists. The NCETMB exam no longer exists, however, which means all new massage therapists must take and pass the MBLEx. Nowadays, the NCETMB exam really only applies to people who may have taken this as their licensing examination in the past for a different state and now wish to get a license in Connecticut.
Today, the NCBTMB now offers Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB®). This is a separate, national credential which many massage therapists choose to pursue, but it is not required by the state of Connecticut for licensure.
Continuing education and license renewal
Once licensed, Connecticut massage therapists must renew their massage license every two years and complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every four years. Some of these education hours can be accomplished online—but no more than 18—enabling massage therapists to keep their skills updated and maintain their license. The Connecticut Department of Public Health also states that no more than 12 CE hours can be obtained from programs which are not approved by the NCBTMB. Massage therapists must keep a record of all their CE hours for a minimum of six years.
The cost for renewing a massage therapy license in Connecticut is $255.00.
Legal considerations for massage therapists in Connecticut
Transferability: Out-of-state endorsements
If you’re a licensed massage therapist from another state seeking to practice in Connecticut, you’ll need a Connecticut license before you can start working. Luckily, the process is fairly simple. You may qualify for a license provided that you:
Have been a practicing massage therapist for at least one year
Have passed either the MBLEx or NCETMB exams
Submit proof of your current massage therapy license(s)
Submit an application and pay the $379.75 fee
You don’t have submit proof of any prior education to get a license by endorsement in Connecticut. The biggest thing is that you’ve been working as a massage therapist for at least a year and that you’ve passed the MBLEx or NCETMB exam in the past.
Professional conduct and ethical guidelines
Following ethical guidelines and conducting oneself professionally are integral to maintaining a successful massage therapy practice. Information regarding what actions are considered grounds for the denial, suspension or revocation of licensure is located in Chapter 384a of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Scope of practice
The scope of practice defines the services a massage therapist can legally provide in Connecticut.
In chapter 384a of the Connecticut General Statutes, massage therapy is defined as “the systematic and scientific manipulation and treatment of the soft tissues of the body, by use of pressure, friction, stroking, percussion, kneading, vibration by manual or mechanical means, range of motion and nonspecific stretching. Massage therapy may include the use of oil, ice, hot and cold packs, tub, shower, steam, dry heat or cabinet baths, for the purpose of, but not limited to, maintaining good health and establishing and maintaining good physical and mental condition.”
It goes on to say that massage therapy does not include the following:
“Diagnosis, the prescribing of drugs or medicines, spinal or other joint manipulations.”
“Any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic, naturopathy, physical therapy, or podiatry is required by law.”
“Thai yoga practiced by a person who is registered as a yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance Registry and has completed two hundred hours of training in Thai yoga.”
Breaching these constraints could lead to the denial or revocation of licensure.
Insurance and liability
Liability insurance is important for the protection of both massage therapists and their clients. In Connecticut, massage therapists must acquire professional liability insurance before providing direct patient care services. The Department of Public Health states the following regarding how much the insurance should include:
“The amount of insurance that each person shall carry as insurance or indemnity against claims for injury or death for professional malpractice shall be not less than $250,000 for one person, per occurrence, with an aggregate of not less than one million dollars.”
Numerous insurance options are accessible, including Beauty & Bodywork Insurance (BBI) and massage therapy liability insurance through the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) or the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP).
Working as a massage therapist in Connecticut
Salaries of Connecticut massage therapists
According to the 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for massage therapists in Connecticut is $59,890. This is higher than the median for all states, which is $55,310.
Several factors such as local market demand, hours worked, local cost of living, education and additional skills all influence the salary of any massage therapist. Location can play a particularly significant role.
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that salary and employment data from the BLS may be somewhat incomplete for massage therapists. Their data indicated only 1,770 massage therapists working in the state in 2023, but Connecticut’s Department of Public Health states that there were 5,915 active massage therapist licenses at the end of the 2021 calendar year. This may be because many massage therapists are self-employed, which is data not usually fully captured by the BLS.
Massage Therapists
10%$31,200
25%$41,600
50%$59,890Median
75%$74,990
90%$89,730
Median Hourly Wage$29
Job growth18.3%
Total Employment1,170
Metro area
Median Salary
Bottom 10%
Top 10%
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
$61,290
$43,550
$97,400
Danbury, CT
$60,200
$30,950
$158,630
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI
$56,220
$30,160
$88,370
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
$49,610
$31,200
$77,320
New Haven, CT
$48,870
$31,370
$90,850
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Job outlook and finding employment opportunities
The job outlook for massage therapists in Connecticut is bright with the BLS projecting a growth of 18.3% through 2032, reflecting an increasing demand for massage therapy services. This is much faster than the 3% average across all occupations over the same time frame.
“I’ve been in the health, beauty and wellness industry for 43 years. I have seen so much growth, especially in the massage industry,” Cook said.
Massage therapists in Connecticut can work in numerous different settings. These include spas, health clubs, chiropractic offices, wellness centers, and even hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. Additionally, therapists can explore opportunities in corporate settings, such as offering chair massages to employees as part of workplace wellness programs.
Setting up a private massage practice in Connecticut
For those interested in self-employment, starting a private practice is another viable option. This allows therapists to have more control over their schedule, clientele and services offered.
Cook said she highly recommends that massage therapists work for someone first to get experience before striking out on their own.
“When they go out to be on their own, I would recommend that they really find out who their target market is,” Cook said. “Find out what city or town is going to provide you that target market and then I would visit the town to see what their bylaws are for the massage therapy offices. Do the research. And then once they have their research and they’re sure about their target market, then they’re going to want to reach out to the state health department to find out the guidelines for the massage field.”
After that, Cook suggested that a massage therapist contact the appropriate authority to obtain an LLC (if you want your business to be an LLC) and even consider hiring an accountant.
When you get to that point of starting your own business, Cook recommends that massage therapists diversify the types of services they offer. This not only could lead to higher earnings, but it can also make the job less physically taxing.
“For example, if you are a deep tissue worker, alternate between a deep tissue modality and a less strenuous modality. So maybe at nine o’clock you book your deep tissue, at 10 o’clock you book your Swedish massage, and then you book an energy session.” By switching up the types of massage you’re offering throughout a given day, Cook said it can make the job much easier on your own body and more sustainable in the long term.
Resources for staying up to date on industry developments and trends
Given the rapidly evolving field of massage therapy, keeping abreast with the latest trends, regulations and best practices is paramount. Consider the following organizations and how they can help your massage career in Connecticut:
Refer to the Connecticut Department of Public Health for any and all information regarding the license of massage therapists in the state.
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is a national membership network of massage therapists around the country. By joining the Connecticut chapter, you can get access to numerous resources including networking events, career advice, liability insurance and continuing education opportunities.
Qualified massage therapists can get Board Certified by the NCBTMB to take their career to the next level. While this is not required by the state of Connecticut, getting their Board Certification can be beneficial for many massage professionals.
Final thoughts
Becoming a successful massage therapist in Connecticut involves more than just mastering massage techniques. From understanding the educational and licensing requirements to staying updated on industry trends, each aspect plays a vital role. Whether you’re seeking employment or planning to set up a private practice, success lies in continuous learning and adaptation. Start researching massage programs today to take the first step towards your massage therapy career in the state of Connecticut.
