So you want to become a massage therapist?

Find out how.

Here are the steps fo becoming a licensed massage therapist in Georgia. For more details, please visit our blog post here:

1. Attend an approved massage therapy training with a minimum of 500 in-person supervised clock hours. In Georgia, no online or distance learning is acceptable for massage therapists’ entry-level training.

2. Apply to take the MBLEx, which is the national licensing exam for massage therapists. The cost for this exam is $265, which needs to be paid with the application. Your massage school will need to verify that you are qualified to take the MBLEx after you submit your application.

3. Pass your exam! The exam is 100 questions, multiple choice, taken at a Pearson Vue testing center. The exam content can be found here. It includes material on Anatomy & Physiology; Kinesiology; Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations; Benefits & Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation; Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning; Ethics, Boundaries & Laws; and Guidelines for Professional Practice.

4. Apply for malpractice and liability insurance. Normally, you will have student insurance through AMTA. You may take advantage of their introductory offer of $89 for the first year after graduation or obtain insurance through another provider such as ABMP.

5. Apply to the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy for a massage therapist license. The cost of submitting a paper applications $125 + an additional $10 processing fee, totaling $135. You must submit a photo ID, sealed original transcript from your recognized massage therapy program, and a certificate of insurance. The application MUST be notarized before it is sent in, so don’t sign your application and affidavit of citizenship until you are at the notary. UPS has notaries available in most locations. You bank may also notarize documents for you.

6. Get a background check. You will need to apply for a background check via FieldPrint (https://www.fieldprintusa.com). The cost of fingerprinting is around $75, and must be done after the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy has received and processed your application to become a massage therapist.

Our 600-hour Therapeutic Massage Program is unique in several ways:

• Our program is the quickest and least expensive massage therapy training in Georgia

• Our program is high-quality training focused on training you to become an effective and skilled massage therapist. You will learn how to treat a variety of common orthopedic conditions (injuries) which you will see in your practice.

• We train you to work both in clinical or medical settings as well spa and wellness settings.

• We are a small school which is focused on massage therapy training. We don’t have a variety of specialties, we are focused on providing the highest-quality massage therapy training possible.

• Our staff is experienced. All of our staff are highly qualified with over 10 years of experience and advanced-level training in orthopedic treatment and a variety of modalities.

• We offer an integrated learning experience, emphasizing competency rather than test-taking or grades. We aim to accommodate all learning styles and to personalize the learning experience help each student succeed.

Our curriculum is intended to give you mastery of the skills and information we think a massage therapist needs. We have also included plenty of review time near the end of the program to allow you to broaden your knowledge. You’ll have access to plenty of test prep materials, games, exercises, and time to experience them. However, the MBLEx is composed of 100 multiple choice questions completed on a computer. While it is important that you pass the MBLEx, we have decided not to focus on preparing you for multiple choice tests—that’s not what life as a massage therapist is like. That being said, our MBLEx pass rate is one of the best in the state of Georgia. Our focus is on making you a skilled massage therapist and being ready to answer questions for the test follows that goal.

When classes are in session, there will be a Student Clinic held on Thursday afternoons. A 60-minute student-massage is $35. Please check out our “Book a Treatment” page to schedule your appointment. Student treatments are held in our classroom and take place in curtained rooms within the main classroom. Students will try to tailor their treatment to you, but they will also experiment with new techniques they are learning each week. Clients at the student clinic will be required to fill out an intake form as well as feedback forms after each treatment.

The full-time program will run 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday.

Start by submitting an online application here, and paying the $50 application fee. Applicants must fulfill the following entrance requirements before they can be admitted to OSTM:

• Submit a formal application packet by the applicable due date

• Receive a professional massage from an LMT and bring the Professional Massage Evaluation Assignment to the entrance interview for discussion

• Complete an informational interview

• Pass a reading comprehension test, administered during entrance interview (Reading will be silent, questions will be asked and answered orally)

• Pass a physical administered by a licensed physician and obtain a doctor’s signature

• Provide proof of a high school diploma or the equivalent

• Provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID

We have some Tuition Assistance options and limited scholarship opportunities. Please click here to see the details.

The school is partnered with Fynn Credit to provide private student loans for our students. We also have an extended payment plan which will allow you to pay for some of the tuition after you graduate. Please see the Tuition page for more information. Apply for a student loan here.

Students can improve their experience during the program by preparing ahead of time financially, physically, and mentally for the work they will undertake to become licensed massage therapists. 

Preparing for the Program Financially

For the full-time program,, students should plan and save to be able to pay the tuition and fees without working during the program if possible. The program is full-time and intensive. Students will spend 40 hours in class during the week, and will be expected to practice and do written assignments outside of class time. Students will benefit from focused time free from other commitments during the program. 

For the part-time program, students who are working should be prepared to dedicate time for schoolwork and practice outside of school hours. Working full time and attending the part-time program will be exacting. Students should be prepared to take time and attention away from social concerns so that they can gain as much as possible from their educational experience.

Preparing for the Program Physically

Students can prepare for the physical aspect of the program by engaging in activities such as tai chi, qigong, and yoga. These practices not only help develop a mindful awareness of the body and breath, but also help to develop coordination between the upper and lower body, and the core and limbs of the body. These practices can help students perform massage techniques well from the very start.

Preparing for the Program Mentally

Students can prepare for the mental work of the program by beginning to think about how the body heals itself. The primary book used in the program is Job’s Body, by Deane Juhan. Motivated students can gain a deeper understanding of the material by reading some or all of this book ahead of time. This is not a requirement, but can enhance a student’s understanding. This book is included in the Supplies Fee. Students can email the Director at admin@oconeemassageschool.com if they wish to arrange for an advance copy. Other popular books about the body’s healing capacity can help broaden student understanding and approach to treatment. These include “The Body Keeps the Score,” “The Brain That Changes Itself,” and “When the Body Says No,” among others. These books are available in print and audio form. Students will gain an appreciation for their work by exploring titles relating to healing and bodywork that peak their interest.

Living books are usually written by one author who is knowledgable and passionate about the subject matter. Living books are meant to be read and enjoyed. Living books present ideas that take root in the reader’s mind: they spur interest and further thought about the subject. They present facts in context so they are easier to understand and remember. A good book on the subject is “On Writing Well” by William Zinsser. The idea of living books is taken from the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason.