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How to Become a Massage Therapist in Hawaii - HI

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January 7th, 2010

To obtain Hawaii Massage Therapy certification for licensure, the massage therapy candidate must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien authorized to work in the United States.
2. Complete 50 hours of classroom courses in physiology, human anatomy and structural kinesiology.
3. Receive a total of 100 course hours training related to proper massage procedures, keeping of records, massage theory, hygiene, techniques to address various physical conditions, evaluating clients’ conditions, patient draping, and treatment modalities.
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4. Finish 420 hours of school-supervised practical massage training leading to Hawaii massage therapy certification. Alternatively, this training can be accomplished through a special Board-regulated apprenticeship program that must be fulfilled within the State of Hawaii.
5. Have a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification for both adults and infants. This credential must be issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. If issued by another organization, Hawaii PVL Board approval is required.
6. Pass Hawaii’s State Licensing Exam. Unlike many other U.S. states that require successful completion of a national certification test such as the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) as a prerequisite for obtaining a license to operate, the State of Hawaii has its own test. Details for required documents, the license application form, fees and the state exam schedule can be found on the Hawaii PVL website.

Of course, it is strongly recommended that you take and pass a national certification test (for example, the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage, or NCETM). Obtaining this important national certification and earning the credential of Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB) will serve you well in your Massage Therapy career, should you someday opt to practice in a U.S. state other than Hawaii.

Regardless of when it is issued, a Hawaii Massage Therapy licensure expires on the 30th day of June in even-numbered years. For example, if your license was issued in September of 2009, it must be renewed by June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2012.