Moving your Massage Therapy License to Tennessee

             Reciprocity Licensure – Massage Therapy                                                        

 

Navigate the process of moving your Massage Therapy license to Tennessee. This page provides essential information and detailed steps for massage therapists seeking to transfer their massage license to Tennessee, ensuring a smooth transition and compliance with state rules and regulations for Massage Therapists and Establishments.

 

In the state of TN, you are required to have a Massage Therapy license from this state in order to perform any massage therapy services (soft tissue manipulation) or an establishment license to own a massage therapy establishment.

 

Our educational advisor can walk you through the process of reciprocity and ensure that you have the proper documentation prepared and in order to apply for licensure.  Reach out to our Program Director, Secret Doss –  secret@nashvilleschoolofmassagetherapy.com for more information or to set up a professional consultation to discuss your particular reciprocity journey.

 

Educational Requirements for Massage Therapy Reciprocity Tennessee

 

You are required to have an official transcript from a massage therapy school. sent directly from that school to the board. Tennessee Requires a minimum of 650 clock hours divided into separate categories notated below in this section.Your transcript must clearly reflect the following hours specifically in the following subjects. Your transcript will be evaluated by a board member or board consultant to ensure compliance with the educational requirements.  Any missing hours from your transcript in any of the following subject areas will have to be completed at an approved massage therapy school in accordance with the board’s requirements.  **The board will not accept CE certificates as educational hours**

 

Our program director can also run a preliminary audit of your school transcript to check for missing requirements as a part of the consultation process. **Disclosure – This is an unofficial audit and the board has the authority and final say in what hours they will or will not accept or approve once your transcripts are submitted for evaluation**

 

TN Educational Requirements completed by an approved school are as follows:

 

200 hrs Sciences – including, but not limited to, anatomy, physiology-Western and/or Eastern, kinesiology, pathology, HIV/AIDS and blood-borne pathogens, and hygiene (including standard precautions). Other sciences related to the human body may be included with Board approval.  

300 hrs Basic Massage Theory and Practice – including, but not limited to, history, benefits, indications, contraindications, demonstration and supervised practice, client assessment/evaluation, soft tissue manipulations including: gliding, kneading, friction, compression, vibration, percussion, stretching, joint movements, draping, positioning, turning, feedback, charting/documentation, proper body mechanics, and self-care. Intern Clinic  

125 hrs Related Subjects – including, but not limited to, business standards of practice, communication skills, CPR/First Aid,
the Americans with Disabilities Act, referral methods, specialized populations, and specialized and adjunct therapies/massage modalities such as eastern theory, lymphatic, prenatal, infant, sports, craniosacral, and hydrotherapy. This also may include Spa modalities

20 hrs Ethics Instruction – Must be clearly outlined separately on a transcript or course outline from official program handbook

5 hrs Tennessee Massage Statutes and Regulation – Must be completed in a live format and by an approved TN Massage Therapy School

 

Classes we offer at Nashville School of Massage Therapy

• We strongly recommend that you start with the 5 hr law class to get the overview of the rules and laws and then complete any additional hours needed. 

We teach the 5 hour Tennessee Massage Statutes and Regulations Class twice a month via live zoom on Fridays from 9am-2pm CST with a cost of $150 (flat fee) https://www.eventbrite.com/o/nashville-school-of-massage-therapy-16070548859

We also teach all additional class hours that you may need to qualify for licensure.  This can include: Sciences, Massage Theory and Massage Practice, Related Subjects (adjunct modalities) and Ethics. These classes are charged at a rate per hour. Once you have completed the class hours you need and have paid your balance in full. We send an official transcript to the TN massage board on your behalf.

**You are only required to pay for the hours needed to complete your requirements with the state of TN**

** Reach out for more information on how to enroll in these specific individual subjects, payment plans and scholarships that may be available.**

 **Day and evening classes are available Monday through Thursday to work around your schedule**

 

Information about online licensure process – Massage Therapy Reciprocity Tennessee

Checklist for licensure application (The board prefers the online application, it has a much faster turn around) 

   Visit: https://lars.tn.gov/datamart/mainMenu.do;jsessionid=P-aBTCyfQRy1LF3BUWOZHtKW  Create an Account → Use drop down menu to select the application for massage therapist. Fill out an application in full answering every question in every section.

You will need the following information/documents:

Documents you will upload to the online application:

• • • Birth Certificate or Equivalent (upload to application)
    • Drivers license (upload to application)
    • Declaration of Citizenship document (printed off, filled out, notarized and signed, upload to application)
    • 2 letters of recommendation from healthcare professionals (must be in correct format, see format options below, upload each to application) 

                      From outside sources sent directly to the board from the source: 

• • • Massage School Transcript (or NCBTMB board certification for the immediately preceding 5 years) Sent directly from the school to the TN Massage Board
    • Verification of Examination (MBLEx or NCBTMB) Sent directly from the organization to the TN Massage Board – https://fsmtb.org/exam-result-transfers/ or https://ncbtmb.org/faqs/board-certification-faqs/#faq-item-how-do-i-get-my-scores-from-testing-sent-to-a-state
    • Certificate of Fitness/Licensure Verification of any health license held by any state. Sent directly from that board to the TN Massage Board
    • Result of a background check from Identigo ( https://www.identogo.com/ )  using the OCA code #2680
      

 

After you complete your application:

Log back into your account (LARS) where you started the application and find the “Practitioner Profile” Document on the drop down menu and fill that out and submit it. (This should be your last step in the licensure process)

 

Remember for Letters of Reference:

                           This is the exact format you MUST use or the board could reject the letter:

• • • Must be from a healthcare professional (with credentials)
    • Must be on letterhead (can be a self made letterhead or school letterhead/logo)
    • Must include the date (must be within the last 12 months)
    • Body of letter should talk about your personal character and professional ethics
    • Originally signed (physical “wet” handwritten signature, not stamped or computerized)
    • Include the professionals licensing credentials (ex. LMT, RN, DO, MD, DC, PT, OT etc.) and their license number
    • Include the writers contact information