Dreaming of life as a traveling massage therapist?
Covid changed our world- how we work, travel, and really live each day. In many ways, people are less tied to their homes and offices than ever before. Lots of people found they could work remotely long term and find more time for travel.
And many massage therapists tend to be “free spirits” or start the profession near retirement. You may want to combine your love of traveling with your passion for your massage career. Massage tables are portable for a reason, right?
The Reality of Red Tape, Reciprocity, and Licenses
You likely have heard about traveling nurses, and may be thinking if you could do the same as a massage professional. Today, nurses can travel to needed locations, get sign-on bonuses, work for a few months, and return home. Honestly, this isn’t something that exists in massage therapy right now. And nurses are far ahead of us in their license portability with their Nurse Licensure Pact (NLP) that allows them to work in other compact states.
But that does not mean there are no opportunities out there for traveling massage therapists that want to travel and work.
Maybe you have dreams of:
- Traveling back and forth between your current home and your snowbird home in Texas, Florida, or Arizona.
- Living in your RV and calling your campground home for the next two weeks.
- Backpacking through Europe and living out of an Air BnB or hostel.
Let’s address a few questions you may have about this adventure. There are lots of misconceptions and things I think you should know before you begin. I have written about license reciprocity for years. Here are a few:
What Happens to Your Massage License When You Cross State Lines?
How to “Transfer” Your Massage License to Florida
Tips About Having Multiple Massage Licenses in Multiple States
Does “National Certification” Exist in Massage Therapy?
Working As a Massage Therapist Part-Time
I am NCBTMB, or Nationally Certified. Can’t I work anywhere?
As I mentioned above, true reciprocity does not exist in massage therapy. We do not have a compact like nurses. The NCETMB was never a “national certification” that allowed you to work anywhere without obtaining a license. You certainly can use your NCETMB scores to get a license (as they do not expire – even if your certification does). If the state you want to practice massage in requires a license, you need to get a license in that state.
If I am in a state for less than two weeks, do I really need a license?
I am not aware of any states that have short-term massage licenses for traveling massage therapists. It is usually an all or none type of deal. Some have temporary licenses that allow you to work while you are waiting for your license to be issued. But this really is not all that common.
You can and should always read the laws and rules of any state you plan to practice massage therapy in. All of them are different and you need to comply with the laws and rules of the state where you practice.
Board websites often are the best source of information on applications, laws, and current rules. Do not hesitate to call or email them if you have questions.
If I barter for massage, do I even need a massage license?
Many states do not limit the definition of “compensation” to just money. If you are being compensated for massage, you likely need to have a license.
Again, check with the laws and rules, state boards, and a lawyer when you have any doubts or legal questions.
I want to work abroad as a massage therapist. What do I need to do?
I am not going to lie. Navigating each country’s laws and rules, language barriers, work visas, and government requirements is going to be tricky. But it can be done.
You will find some countries that have bare minimum requirements for massage therapists, like England. In that case, I suggest looking into ITEC training if you do not have previous massage training. You may find other countries that use ITEC or VTCT for massage therapy qualifications.
Here is a table with massage regulations in European countries.
Attention: Military Families
Thankfully, many massage therapy boards have made license reciprocity easier for those in the military or military spouses. If you are a military family moving around, be sure to contact the state board about military or military spouse applications. Some boards will waive CE requirements as well as application and renewal fees.
What else do I need to consider?
I cannot stress knowing the laws and rules in your state, or where you plan to open up shop (temporarily or permanently) enough. Remember, the purpose of massage boards and licensing is to protect the public from unqualified practitioners.
This means, when necessary, get the background check, massage establishment license, or anything else you need to get a license. You are a professional.
Tell me about your traveling massage therapist plans!
Do you plan to live out of your vintage Airstream full time, spend a few months each year visiting friends and family, or work as a massage therapist in the Philippines for a year or two? I really want to hear about it. Also, it will help other massage therapists thinking of doing the same.
Thank you for this info. I have a license in two states and I keep them both current as I go visit family in one state and live in another. My plan is to travel around my home state and see what I can and also make income on the road. Then when I visit family I can work in that state as well.
I would love to hear how others travel within their state and get clients for massage!
Thank you,
Deanna Joy
I am a. Recently licensed massage therapist and am in a serious relationship with my boyfriend who works in an a creative industry where moving is common. We’re landing in NV for the foreseeable future. I am already licensed in OR and SC, and completing my application for NV today. I’m still just getting started I. My career, and believe I’ll have a bit of time to focus on this in NV. My strategy has been to acquire licenses for any state we’re living in.. but we also travel and I have a mind to get licensed in every state we may travel through so can work legally ‘anywhere’ and then maintain these licensures and their ceu requirements as needed. I also understand that we can pause many state licensures without allowing them to lapse if we aren’t in the area for a little while and then reinstate them when the time comes more quickly and easily than getting the original license.
I want to be entrepreneurially free and creative (and I’m also interested in holding employment/contracting for the experience and stability and community of those positions)
So the next layer beyond massage licensure is business licensure as a sole proprietor who’s curious about creating an LLC and legally traveling around… even in one state, districts can be different in terms of business licensure… do you have any thoughts, wisdom, insight, recommendations?
Thank you!
I love this! And kudos to you for being such an professional. So many travelers go into this not realizing how much time and organization it takes to get licensed in multiple states. It is not something you can do just on a whim and get licensed the next week.
As far as multistate businesses. Generally, you have a home state with your business structure. Here is a little more about it -https://www.incfile.com/blog/post/business-multiple-states
Thank you for this post. I have no problem getting licensed in states where I’ll be performing massage on a regular basis. The issue I’m having is being asked to come to a retreat to massage for a few hours out of 1 day of the retreat. The locations will vary. I see a lot of traveling massage therapists online but most haven’t been very friendly about how I go about it. The opportunities would be very beneficial for exposure as the attendees will be from all over. Any suggestions?
Hi!
Any time you are practicing massage in a state, you need to follow the rules in that state. I would contact the state boards and see what they recommend. Some may have temporary licenses or require you to apply for a license.
I’m an Arizona native living in the UK. I am looking to start splitting my time between here and AZ, but unsure of the process to become certified or having my UK qualification be recognized in AZ.
Any advice?
I do! I would start with this page – it mentions out of country licenses – https://massagetherapy.az.gov/node/384
I would contact their board office as out of country education transfers can be different from country to country. You may need to take the MBLEx or go before the board and have you education evaluated.