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The Oregon Board of Massage Therapists has jurisdiction over the professionals in this field.
They need to meet some requirements and pass an exam to get a license in order to work in the field.
If a person already has a license in a different healthcare field, they’ll have to meet other requirements.
Article Table of Contents
Education
Future massage therapy needs to study for at least 500 hours before they can qualify for the exam and get their license.
Popular Programs
This is a breakdown of what they should study, and for how long:
- 200 hours -health sciences: kinesiology, anatomy and physiology, pathology
- 300 hours – combined areas of massage therapy practice, sanitation, ethics, business development, and communication
Those with a license in a qualifying healthcare field need to complete just 300 hours of massage therapy coursework.
They don’t need the health sciences coursework, and they can use the “health endorsement” option for getting licensed.
“Credentialing review” is the process through which experienced professionals coming from out of state can get their Oregon license.
Prior to education from out-of-state in the field can be used as follows:
- up to 80 hours for the health science classes
- up to 120 hours for the massage therapy instructional hours
- The Board can credit up to 40 practice hours for this section.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ashland Institute of Massage | 280 East Hersey St. #A-8 Ashland, OR 97520 |
| Central Oregon Community College | 2600 NW College Way Bend, OR 97701 |
| East West College | 525 NE Oregon St. #350 Portland, OR 97232 |
| Everest Institute | 9600 SW Oak St. 4th Floor Tigard, OR 97223 |
| Oregon School of Massage | 9500 SW Barbur Blvd. #100 Portland, OR 97219 |
| Oregon School of Massage | 2111 Front St. NE Bldg #3 Salem, OR 97301 |
| Rogue Community College | 3345 REdwood Hwy Grants Pass, OR |
| Sage School of Massage & Healing Arts | 369 NE Revere Ave. Bend, OR 97701 |
| The Wellspring School for Healing Arts | 2440 MLK Jr. Blvd., #202 Portland, OR 97212 |
| University of Western States | 2900 NE 132nd Ave Portland, OR 97230 |
| University of Western States Chemeketa Salem Campus | Building 8- Office 113Z Salem |
Examination
Future Oregon massage therapists must pass three exams:
- a written exam, the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) – administered at a national level
- a practical examination – taken only after they completed their education
- an open-book jurisprudence examination.
The last two exams are administered at the state level.
MBLEx
Those interested in the MBLEx can apply online, and if they’re approved they have a window of 90 days to schedule their exam.
IASI
Those who seek very specific training can take the IASI exam, offered by the Certification Board for Structural Integration, but they have to ensure their program was IASI-recognized.
Those who didn’t attend such a program can present their portfolio in order to be accepted for the exam.
Practical Exam
This exam costs $150.
The candidates can choose the preferred massage/ bodywork modality to demonstrate their skills and knowledge of communication and assessment, massage and bodywork, and kinesiology.
The Board schedules the candidates for exams, but in rare situations, candidates can request dates.
The results are ready within 30 days, and those who fail must remit an additional fee.
Jurisprudence Exam
This exam can be completed at home and then mailed or hand-delivered to the Board.
State Endorsement
Those who obtained their license is a different state must ensure they met similar requirements to those in Oregon.
Additionally, they must have passed an exam as well.
It’s possible that those coming from New Hampshire or Washington State already met the requirements.
Those coming from Newfoundland, Labrador, Ontario, or British Columbia in Canada, may also qualify.
CPR Training and Criminal Background Checks
A CPR certification is also needed by a future massage therapist.
Passing a background check based on fingerprints taken at Fieldprint is also mandatory.
The background check costs:
- $12.50 for the fingerprints
- $43 for the actual check
Application
This process costs $50.
The application form can be found on the Board’s website.
The candidates will have to include a series of documents along the application form they filled out:
- official transcripts or a certificate of completion if the school closed
- a passport-sized photograph
- copy of a valid ID
- copies of the CPR certification – both sides
Those trying the endorsement method for the license will have to provide:
- license verification forms
- an extra fee of $250
- copies of their licenses
- translation into English of the documents, if they’re in a different language, accompanied by affidavits
All applicants must receive notifications if their files are complete or if they must provide additional documents.
Extra Info
The license has to be renewed every 2 years.
The Board can be contacted for any other details.
The salary depends on various factors, including location.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $53,612 |
| Salem | $51,750 |
| Eugene | $50,278 |
| Gresham | $53,543 |
| Hillsboro | $53,441 |
| Beaverton | $53,612 |
| Bend | $49,580 |
| Medford | $48,056 |
| Springfield | $49,908 |
| Corvallis | $50,544 |
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 30 | $71,860 | $34.55 | $83,200 | $48,710 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 90 | $72,730 | $34.97 | $96,410 | $30,170 |
| Eugene, OR | 150 | $71,560 | $34.4 | $96,410 | $43,640 |
| Medford, OR | 150 | $67,080 | $32.25 | $82,350 | $26,990 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,190 | $73,410 | $35.3 | $93,600 | $45,140 |
| Salem, OR | 140 | $74,600 | $35.87 | $94,140 | $52,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy by State