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How to Become a Massage Therapist in Illinois - IL

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February 15th, 2010

In the state of Illinois, it is required that an individual becomes licensed by the state in order to practice massage therapy legally.

To become licensed in Illinois, the following requirements must be met:

• Individual must be at least 18 years of age and of good moral values
• The Department of Professional Regulations may look into any crimes the individual has been convicted of before granting Illinois massage therapy certification for licensure. This will not prevent the individual from obtaining a massage therapy license from the Board, unless the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony involving prostitution, rape, or sexual misconduct; or the individual is a registered sex offender.

• Individual has submitted the application form and the non-refundable application fee of $175 (check or money order only) to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations

  Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations
  ATTN: Division of Professional Regulations
  P.O. Box 7007
  Springfield, IL 62791
  

• Applicant has successfully completed the required education curriculum and 500 hours from an approved massage therapy school or program
• Individual has passed the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork’s (NCBTMB) examination with a score of at least 300. This exam costs $225.
  Illinois massage therapy certification requires that the individual has submitted a request for a background check and fingerprints. These typically cost around $50.

The Board will also allow licensure for the following circumstances:

• The individual has been an active member of a nationally known professional massage therapy organization for at least one year. The organization must have offered professional liability insurance coverage, and a code of professional ethics.
• The individual has passed the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork’s examination, and has kept licensure current and updated
• Individual has practiced massage therapy for a minimum average of 10 hours a week for 10 years
• Individual has practiced massage therapy for an average of at least 10 hours a week for a minimum of one year and has completed at least 100 hours of formal training and education.  The Illinois State Board of Education or Illinois Board of Higher Education must approve the curriculum offered by the massage therapy program in order to grant Illinois massage therapy certifciation.