Get Massage Therapist Insurance: Georgia Verification Guide

Aspiring massage therapists in Georgia need to complete a few crucial steps to obtain their license and become insurance-verified. The journey begins with enrolling in an approved massage therapy program, which requires a minimum of 500 in-person supervised clock hours of education. After gaining this foundational knowledge, individuals must apply to take the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), a national standardized test that assesses competency in essential massage therapy concepts. Passing the MBLEx is a non-negotiable requirement in Georgia. Once the exam is successfully passed, future massage therapists can proceed with the official application process, which involves submitting proof of education, MBLEx scores, and application fees to the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy. However, the process doesn't end there; applicants must also undergo a background check and fingerprinting, ensuring they meet the state's eligibility standards. Obtaining liability insurance is highly recommended, even though it's not a legal mandate in Georgia. This insurance provides financial protection and peace of mind in case of potential lawsuits or client claims. With these steps completed, aspiring massage therapists in Georgia can look forward to receiving their license and starting their rewarding careers.

Complete 500 hours of approved training

To become a licensed massage therapist in Georgia, you must complete an approved massage therapy training program with a minimum of 500 in-person supervised clock hours. No online or distance learning is acceptable for massage therapists' entry-level training in Georgia.

The Oconee School of Therapeutic Massage offers a 600-hour Therapeutic Massage Program that can be completed in 15 weeks full-time or 9 months part-time. The tuition for this program is $10,000, with an additional $800 in student fees. The program includes training in myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and more.

Another option is the Atlanta School of Massage, which is recognised by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy. Their website does not specify the number of training hours required, but you can find more information on their website.

It is important to choose a program that is approved by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy to ensure that you meet the requirements for licensure. You can find a list of recognised programs on the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy website.

Once you have completed an approved massage therapy training program with the required 500 hours of training, you will be one step closer to becoming a licensed massage therapist in Georgia. However, there are additional steps you will need to take, including passing the MBLEx exam and applying for licensure with the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy.

Pass the MBLEx exam

To pass the MBLEx exam, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have received education and training from an approved massage therapy education program or graduated from such a program.
• Your school must verify your education with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
• If you apprenticed, you must have your mentor submit your education records.
• If your massage education took place outside the United States, you must undergo an independent equivalency evaluation.

The MBLEx exam consists of 100 computer-adaptive questions, and you will be given 110 minutes to complete it. The exam costs $265 and is administered via Pearson VUE. It is important to note that if you do not complete all 100 questions within the time limit, you will fail the exam. The questions cover seven content categories: Anatomy and Physiology; Kinesiology; Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, and Special Populations; Benefits, Physiological Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation Techniques; Client Assessment, Reassessment, and Treatment Planning; Boundaries, Ethics, Laws, and Regulations; and Professional Practice Guidelines.

To prepare for the MBLEx exam, you can take practice tests, create flashcards, and develop effective study strategies. It is also important to manage your time effectively during the exam and to arrive at the testing center no later than 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time.

Apply for malpractice and liability insurance

To become a licensed massage therapist in Georgia, you must obtain malpractice and liability insurance. This insurance, also known as massage therapist malpractice insurance, protects your career and financial future.

You will typically have student insurance through AMTA, and you may take advantage of their introductory offer of $89 for the first year after graduation. Alternatively, you can obtain insurance through another provider such as ABMP or CM&F. CM&F offers affordable, comprehensive massage liability insurance policies, which include coverage for all methods of client care delivery within your scope of practice. They also offer direct lines of contact with their customer support centre, and you can receive a no-obligation quote in as little as five minutes.

When applying for your massage therapist license, you must submit a certificate of insurance with your application.

Submit an application to the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy

To become a licensed massage therapist in Georgia, you must apply to the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to submit your application:

Step 1: Attend an Approved Massage Therapy Training Program

Before applying for a massage therapist license in Georgia, you must complete a minimum of 500 in-person supervised clock hours at an approved massage therapy training program. Online or distance learning is not acceptable for entry-level massage therapist training in Georgia.

Step 2: Apply for and Pass the MBLEx

Next, you must apply to take the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination), which is the national licensing exam for massage therapists. The exam costs $265 and is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions. After submitting your application, your massage school will need to verify that you are qualified to take the exam.

Step 3: Apply for Malpractice and Liability Insurance

Once you have passed the MBLEx, you need to apply for malpractice and liability insurance. You may be covered by student insurance through AMTA, which offers an introductory rate of $89 for the first year after graduation. Alternatively, you can obtain insurance through another provider such as ABMP.

Step 4: Prepare Your Application Documents

To apply for your massage therapist license, you will need to submit the following documents:

• A completed, signed, and notarized application form
• A photo ID
• A sealed original transcript from your recognized massage therapy program
• A certificate of insurance
• An affidavit of citizenship
• Immigration documents (if applicable)

Step 5: Submit Your Application

You can submit your application to the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy either by mail or online. The cost of submitting a paper application is $125, plus a $10 processing fee, totalling $135. If you apply online, you will be charged a $5 processing fee.

Please note that your application must be notarized before it is sent in, so do not sign your application and affidavit of citizenship until you are in front of a notary. Many UPS locations and banks have notaries available.

Step 6: Register for a Background Check

After the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy has received and processed your application, you must apply for a background check via FieldPrint (https://www.fieldprintusa.com). The cost of fingerprinting is around $75.

Get a background check

To become a licensed massage therapist in Georgia, you will need to pass a background check. This is a mandatory requirement for licensure in the state.

You will need to apply for a background check via the GAPS Applicant Processing Service (gemalto.com). The Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS) is a simple and easy-to-use platform that facilitates the process of obtaining a background check.

The background check involves fingerprinting, which can be done electronically through Fieldprint (https://www.fieldprintusa.com). The cost of fingerprinting is approximately $75. It is important to note that the fingerprinting process must be completed after the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy has received and processed your application to become a massage therapist.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has awarded Fieldprint the contract to provide this electronic fingerprint submission service for Georgia applicants.

To guide you through the process, you can access a downloadable set of instructions for the GAPS-Fieldprint process on the Georgia Secretary of State website. Additionally, there is a training video available to help you navigate the steps.

Frequently asked questions