The State of Oklahoma Massage Therapist Requirements
Throughout the 69,898 square miles of the Sooner State, massage therapists work to help the more than 3.9 million people in their state find relief from pain, rehabilitation from injuries, and comfort in the midst of stress and anxiety.
With 643,692 people in Oklahoma City, 402,324 people in Tulsa, and 122,837 people in Norman, massage therapists who work in Oklahoma can find an engaged environment to open, continue, or join a massage therapy business.
How Do I Become A Massage Therapist in Oklahoma?
If you’re ready to move into your career as a massage therapist in Oklahoma, you must apply for a license with the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
The application fee is $50. You must also supply an affidavit proving you are either a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, legal permanent resident alien or qualified alien. If you do not obtain a license, 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 have passed the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).
You can find application request forms on the state licensing website.
Where Can I Study?
Below are two approved schools in Oklahoma to help you get started on what you may be looking for in a massage therapy education.
- Integrated Massage Therapy College: With their 5 step massage program, students can build a career in massage in as little as five months. The program is 1300 hours, and can be enrolled for the entire thing or split to one program at a time. This school works with students’ flexibility needs, hoping their classes will fit everyone’s lifestyle.
- Clary Sage College: Students in this program will engage in supervised, hands-on training in traditional Swedish massage as well as a variety of other modalities. At the end of the program, students will perform an internship at the on-site massage clinic, allowing students to see clients and put the theories they learned in class to work under the supervision of a professional.
Other education options include Platt College and Community Care College.
How Much Will I Earn?
The average annual wage of a massage therapist in Oklahoma was $50,029 in 2021. This is on the lower side of state earnings, with the average national salary at $53,222. However, massage therapists who work in the non-metropolitan areas of northwestern Oklahoma have the opportunity to earn a higher salary, with the average for this area at $57,470 annually.