When looking at potential massage therapy schools, two terms you might encounter are certification and licensing. The two are not interchangeable and you should keep in mind the distinctions in their meanings.

Certification is the process by which a third-party agency reviews a massage therapy institution and then provides accreditation if the school follows certain industry standards. These standards ensure that graduates who pursue massage therapy careers possess an adequate amount of both formal education and work experience. The agency that provides the accreditation sets its own standards and is not mandated by the Department of Labor.

Accreditation provides a massage school with several benefits. But first, it must be stressed that a certified school is not necessarily better than one that isn’t accredited; it just means that the former has taken the time to take part in a review process. However, potential massage clients may place greater value on individuals from certified schools. In a way, it is a shorthand way of knowing that a massage therapist is familiar with industry guidelines set by a specialty agency. Certified schools may also employ teachers who are well-versed in more specialized massage techniques. And lastly, if the certification comes from a federal agency (such as COMTA), the school may be able to provide financial aid to prospective students. Here is a list of selected agencies:

• Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP)
  
• The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
  
• The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
  
• The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
  

Licensing, on the other hand, is an issue of labor qualification. At least 35 states require an individual to pass the National Certification Exam in order to legally practice massage therapy. The standards are generally set by the state government.

There does exist some overlap between accreditation and licensing. Since the NCBTMB is a nationally recognized agency, its certification is accepted by the Department of Health and/or Labor in 33 states.

Laws and statutes governing massage therapy careers may vary from state to state, so it is important to research the legal prerequisites of the state in which you plan to practice. It is recommended that you check the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) website for state-specific licensing requirements.