Oregon Massage Licensing

Oregon Massage Licensing in handled by the Oregon State Board of Massage and requires 500 hours of massage classes in the following categories:

The 500 hours must include the knowledge and skills identified in OAR 334-010-0047 “competencies” and shall be comprised of:
(a) A minimum of 200 hours of Anatomy & Physiology, Pathology, and Kinesiology; and
(b) A minimum of 300 hours of Massage Theory and Practical Application, Clinical Practice, Business Development, Communication and Ethics, Sanitation, and Hydrotherapy.

You must also take and pass a Board approved written exam and the Oregon practical examination, which includes a written test on Oregon statutes and administrative rules.

Massage is defined by the Oregon State Board as follows:

Massage” or “massage therapy” means the use on the human body of pressure, friction, stroking, tapping or kneading, vibration or stretching by manual or mechanical means or gymnastics, with or without appliances such as vibrators, infrared heat, sun lamps and external baths, and with or without lubricants such as salts, powders, liquids or creams for the purpose of, but not limited to, maintaining good health and establishing and maintaining good physical condition.

Reflexologists are exempt from Oregon massage licensing."Practitioners of reflexology who do not claim expressly or implicitly to be massage therapists and who limit their work to the practice of reflexology through the application of pressure with the thumbs to reflex points on the feet, hands and ears for the purpose of bringing the body into balance, thereby promoting the well-being of clients."

Effective July 1, 2008, the only Board approved written exam is the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). Continuing education is required:

Each licensee shall complete 25 hours of continuing education in the competencies each renewal period. At renewal time, each licensee shall sign and submit a Board supplied CE form indicating they have completed 25 hours of continuing education.
(a) At least 12 hours must be contact hours defined as instruction involving other massage and bodywork practitioners.
(b) The remaining 13 hours may be contact hours or in areas as defined on the Board supplied CE form
Continuing education must be in areas related to the practice of massage or bodywork including theory, research, technique or business development.

See also the Oregon Massage Licensingsection on the Oregon State Board Website for more details on rules,laws and policies.