Louisiana Massage Licensing

Louisiana Massage Licensing is regulated by the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy.

There are approximately 1,950 massage therapists in Louisiana. Massage Therapy is defined as

"Massage therapy" means the manipulation of soft tissue for the purpose of maintaining good health and establishing and maintaining good physical condition. The term shall include effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), compression, vibration, friction, (active/passive range of motion), Shiatsu, and acupressure, either by hand, forearm, elbow, foot, or with mechanical appliances for the purpose of body massage. Massage therapy may include the use of lubricants such as salts, powders, liquids, creams, (with the exception of prescriptive or medicinal creams), heat lamps, whirlpool, hot and cold pack, salt glow, or steam cabinet baths. It shall not include electrotherapy, laser therapy, microwave, colonic therapy, injection therapy, or manipulation of the joints. Equivalent terms for massage therapy are massage, therapeutic massage, massage technology, Shiatsu, body work, or any derivation of those terms. As used in this Chapter, the terms "therapy" and "therapeutic" shall not include diagnosis, the treatment of illness or disease, or any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, or podiatry is required by law."

As outlined in their laws "A licensed massage therapist shall not be directly employed by a person licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy pursuant to R.S.37:1261 et seq."They require 500 hrs of education and the written (NCETMB) and an oral exam.