GRAD FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

I want to set up my practice and cannot remember what to do first.  HELP!

            Contact your local government, likely the city in which you live, and ask what, if   any regulations they have for your type of work.  Setting up a massage practice is typically quite easy but be sure they know the nature of the business and where you want to open the business at.  There may be requirements for home offices you need to be aware of, there may be restrictions or permits needed in the city, the city may require signage, they may disallow certain signage. Every city is different and YOU must do the research to know the answers and how you need to proceed.  Do not skip this step as it can be a costly mistake!   

OK I am ready to name my business.  How do I do it?

            If you are naming your business your name and you are going to be a Sole Proprietor, you need to do nothing.  I could name my business Christina Rider, Licensed Massage Therapist and do nothing else.  If I wanted to name my business Professional Touch it would require that I register it with the county.  This is also known as registering a Doing Business As (DBA).  Typically there is a small fee and if the name is available you can then register it.  To register you usually go to the county administration building in your area to fill out the paperwork and pay the fee.  I would call the county administration office ahead    and openly share what you want to do and ask if they can access the database to see if the name you are hoping for is available and confirm where you need to go to register.        

What continuing education am I responsible for as a licensed massage therapist? 

For your Iowa License you are required to:

    *Complete 24 hours of CE classes every two years

    *Prove CPR certification every renewal.  Your FIRST renewal it is not necessary to have CE hours. 

Specific info on rules for Iowa Massage Therapists can be found online at www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/continuing_education.asp?board=mt.  Once on this page, you will need to click on the link of Iowa Administrative Rules.

Still confused?  Consult the AMTA Iowa Chapter website for a breakdown at www.amtaiowa.org and click on the Hot Topics link for a summary of the Iowa requirments. Still not getting it?  Give us a call and we can help!   

If you are an AMTA member the Professional requirements are found at www.amtamassage.org  You will have to log on the site using your AMTA number and last name.  The required hours for Professional Members are 48 hours every 4 years or proof of NCBTMB certification. 

If you are NCTMB or NCBTMB (Nationally Certified) the requirements can be found at www.ncbtmb.org  You are required to submit 48 hours of continuing education every four years and 200 hours of work experience.  Six (6) hours must be in Ethics (two hours must be Standard V).  ***Generally if a class meets IOWA CE requirements it will meet the requirements of AMTA and NCBTMB.  The reverse is NOT true however.  IOWA is a much stricter on what meets the CE requirements. 

Where do I go to get Professional Liability Insurance (AKA Malpractice Insurance)?

Your two best options are to go to one of the two listed websites and join a professional association.  Insurance is just one member benefit but it is definitely the most affordable, comprehensive liability insurance option out there.  The American Massage Therapy Association site is www.amtamassage.org.   Associated Bodywork and Massage Professional is www.abmp.com

Do I HAVE to stay certified by NCBTMB to keep my license? 

No, this is not a requirement by the state of Iowa.  The National Certification exam is one approved licensing exam in Iowa.  There is nothing in Iowa law that  states a LMT must be certified by NCBTMB.  NCBTMB is a credential to demonstrate a level of expertise.  It may allow for better portability if you chose  to move out of state.   It is NOT however a guarantee, as nothing is, that you are licensed in other states in our country.  If you move out of state you must check the licensing laws and meet their requirements.  If you need supporting materials (transcripts, syllabi, etc) from Carlson College of Massage Therapy we are happy to help.  Call the office to make this request.     

What do I do if I have let my license lapse and now I want to start practicing again? 

Consult the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy website,  http://idph.state.ia.us/licensure/laws.asp?board=mt and click on the link for Licensure of Massage Therapists.  This is a pdf document.  Approximately ¾ down the page is the area outlining the procedure for reactivation of a license.  If you need supporting materials (transcripts, syllabi, etc) from Carlson College of Massage Therapy we are happy to help.  Call the office to make this request.