The State of Idaho Massage Therapist Requirements
Throughout the 83,642 square miles of the Gem State, approximately 1,172 massage therapists work to help the more than 1.7 million people in their state find relief from pain, rehabilitation from injuries, and comfort in the midst of stress and anxiety.
With 226,115 people in Boise, 93,952 people in Nampa, and 101,905 people in Meridian, massage therapists who work in Idaho can find an engaged environment to open, continue, or join a massage therapy business.
How Do I Become A Massage Therapist in Idaho?
If you’re ready to move into your career as a massage therapist in Idaho, you must register with the Idaho Board of Massage Therapy. The registration fee is $125. Once you are registered, you must receive licensure by the Board. If you do not register, you will be working illegally and can receive a fine.
In order to receive this license, you must complete a minimum of 500 hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction from an approved massage therapy program and be certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
You can find application request forms on their website.
Where Can I Study?
The Idaho Board of Massage Therapy approves massage programs which are registered with the Idaho State Board of Education or with a comparable authority in another state.
Below are two approved schools in Idaho to help you get started on what you may be looking for in a massage therapy education
- Idaho School of Massage Therapy: This program is tailored to new students and existing massage therapists who seek to add or obtain their educational hours to meet State Board Massage Licensing requirements. Registered with the Idaho State Board of Education, the school’s mission is to “provide a consistent educational environment that facilitates the development of massage therapists who are well versed in both western and eastern models of manual therapy and clinical bodywork.”
- Carrington College: Students at this school will receive a combination of classroom, lab and externship experience in areas of study such as anatomy, physiology, professionalism, massage modalities and techniques, and body mechanics.
Other education options include Idaho State University and College of Massage Therapy at Birmingham.
How Much Will I Earn?
The average annual wage of a massage therapist in Idaho was $50,232 in 2021. This is on the lower side of state earnings, with the average national salary at $53,222. Massage therapists who work in Idaho Falls earn a similar salary, with the average for this city at $48,382 annually.