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Tennessee requires its massage therapists to be 18 years of age, hold a high school diploma and finish a training program.
Let’s find out more about the criteria for this job below.
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Training Requirements
You must finish a 500-hour program in a program accredited by y the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the Tennessee Board of Regents or a similar one in another state.
The education must cover:
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- 200 hours in science
- 200 hours in massage theory and practice
- 10 hours in ethics
- 5 hours of rules and regulations
- 85 hours in CPR practice, communication, business, hydrotherapy, ADA, and referral methods
You cannot get online training in this state, and candidates from other states must complete at least the mandatory hours before being able to apply.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Appalachin Training Center for Healing Arts | 117 West Hwy 25-70 Dandridge, TN 37725 |
| Arbor Institute School of Massage | 6500 Papermill Dr. #214 Knoxville, TN 37919 |
| Bodyworks School of Massage, Inc. | 2752 B North Highland Avenue Jackson, TN 38305 |
| Chattanooga Massage Institute Inc. | 6401 Hixson Pike, Suite E Hixson, TN 37343 |
| Concord Career College | 5100 Poplar Ave. #132 Memphis, TN 38137 |
| Cumberland Institute | 500 Wilson Pike Circle #121 Brentwood, TN 37027 |
| Massage Institute of Memphis | 2076 Union Ave. #202 Memphis, TN 38104 |
| Miller-Motte Technical Institute | 6020 Shallowford Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37421 |
| Miller-Motte Technical College | 1820 Business Park Dr. Clarksville, TN 37040 |
| Miller-Motte Technical Institute- Nashville | 1515 Gallatin Pike North Madison, TN 37115 |
| Mind Body Institute, LLC | 2416 Music Valley Drive, Suite 119 Nashville, TN 37214 |
| Reflections of Health School of Massage | 1604 Lamons Lane #207A Johnson City, TN 37604 |
| Roane State Community College | 701 Briarcliff Ave. Oak Ridge, TN 37830 |
| Tennessee School of Therapeutic Massage | 4702-B Western Ave. Knoxville, TN 37921 |
| Tennessee School of Massage | 1083 West Rex Road, Suite 202 Memphis, TN 38119 |
Testing Requirements
The MBLEx is used for licensing in Tennessee, and requires a $195 fee and reading the candidate bulletin.
The exam is computer-based and the results are typically available right away.
You can also get extra score reports for $20.
Another available exam is the NCBTMB, that cannot be used for the license but attests the candidate has specific knowledge in some areas.
Backgrounds Check
You must get a background check with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the FBI.
IdentoGo by Morphotrust is the main background check service in Tennessee.
You will have to get your fingerprints taken and then sent to the service for processing if you come from another state.
Becoming a member of IdentoGo is also required.
The background check fee is $38, and other fees may apply to candidates from other states.
How to Apply
You need to download the form, send in official transcripts from your school and 2 reference letters that attest to your character.
You also need to pay a $280 fee, submit a birth certificate copy and detail your answers to questions related to competency.
Your application should be submitted to the Massage Licensure Board in Nashville, where it will be processed within 6 weeks.
Candidates From Other States
If you practiced in another state, you need to prove you completed a 500 hours course approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
You also need to show you have worked as a massage therapist for the past 5 years.
However, you will be asked to study the rules and regulations in Tennessee for an additional 5 hours.
It is also required to show you studied 10 hours of ethics.
Other Info
If you need more info, visit the Tennessee Department of Health or Tennessee Massage Therapy Association.
For instance, massage therapists have to renew their license every other year.
The salary varies depending on many things.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nashville | $47,566 |
| Memphis | $47,533 |
| Knoxville | $47,421 |
| Chattanooga | $46,245 |
| Clarksville | $46,107 |
| Murfreesboro | $47,207 |
| Franklin | $47,399 |
| Jackson | $47,174 |
| Johnson City | $44,642 |
| Hendersonville | $47,494 |
Regional Salary in Tennessee
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 170 | $51,860 | $24.93 | $64,090 | $36,980 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 130 | $52,900 | $25.43 | $74,000 | $38,550 |
| Knoxville, TN | 220 | $49,530 | $23.81 | $62,570 | $15,350 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 220 | $47,260 | $22.72 | $73,710 | $18,830 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 810 | $50,070 | $24.07 | $65,450 | $19,310 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Massage Therapist
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