Florida Massage Licensing

Florida State Board of Massage states the requirements on their website:

Florida Department of Health

Florida Dept of Health Has a Massage Therapist and a Massage Establishment licensing.

Minimum Qualification for licensure as a MASSAGE THERAPIST
*Must be at least 18 years of age or has received a high school diploma or graduate equivalency diploma (G.E.D.);
*Completed a course of study at a Board of Massage Therapy Approved School or completed a Board-approved apprenticeship program;
*Must pass the National Certification Examination; and
*Must have completed a 2-hour course on the prevention of medical errors. NOTE - if this was not a part of the curriculum at the Board of Massage Therapy Approved School, it can be obtained through a Board Approved Continuing Education Provider.
*Must submit an application and fee for licensure as a massage therapist. Some applicants may be required to appear before the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting for determination of licensure therefore it is imperative that all application deadlines are adhered to.
The 2006 Florida Statutes REGULATION OF PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS Chapter 480 MASSAGE PRACTICE Defines Massage as ""Massage" means the manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body with the hand, foot, arm, or elbow, whether or not such manipulation is aided by hydrotherapy, including colonic irrigation, or thermal therapy; any electrical or mechanical device; or the application to the human body of a chemical or herbal preparation."

List of Approved Massage Schools from the Dept of Health: Florida Massage Schools

Massage Therapists in Florida are able to bill HMO's and PPO's for massage services if it is a part of the clients plan.

In 1992, the FL lawmakers passed a law that basically said that if an insurance company covers the procedure of massage (reimburse chiropractors, reimburse physical therapists) then they must pay for services of a licensed massage therapist (rationale: massage therapists are the experts when it comes to providing massage).

Florida Statutes 627.6407 Massage.--Any policy of health insurance that provides coverage for massage shall also cover the services of persons licensed to practice massage pursuant to chapter 480, where the massage, as defined in chapter 480, has been prescribed by a physician licensed under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter 460, or chapter 461, as being medically necessary and the prescription specifies the number of treatments.

For more information on becoming a massage therapist and how to find/choose a massage therapist, please see the Massage Career Guide -The Truth About Becoming a Massage Therapist