Certification is the other option.The founder of elements therapeutic massage offers advise on how to enter the profession.

Highlands Ranch, CO (EMWNews) July 29, 2008 — elements therapeutic massage has 56 therapeutic massage franchise locations, each employing approximately ten professional massage therapists. Providing a career for hundreds of qualified massage therapists worldwide, elements therapeutic massage reported therapists regulations in order to dispel confusion in the marketplace.

Founded in 2000 by professional massage therapist and occupational therapist Michele Merhib, elements therapeutic massage has build a solid brand in the franchising world by being the best at providing massage services.

“Most states regulate the massage therapy profession and depending on the state this is usually in the form of a license or certification,” Merhib said. “Cities, counties or other local governments may also regulate massage.”

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is one of two associations that serve the massage industry. The AMTA suggest that licensing is the strictest form of professional regulation, making it illegal for anyone to work as a massage therapist unless he or she has a license. To obtain a license, a massage therapist will usually have to complete a minimum number of hours training, at an accredited or accepted school or training center and have paid the fee to legally practice massage in the appropriate city, county and/or state.

“At elements therapeutic massage all massage therapists are required to follow the state or municipality rules to operate as a massage therapist within any elements therapeutic massage location,” Merhib said.

If the state or municipality does not require your massage therapist to obtain a license, most reputable massage therapy locations will require a therapist to take a nationally recognized test to become certified. Certification means that the therapist has successfully passed a specific course or test and has been granted a certificate to bear out that fact. Proof of therapist certification is typically provided upon customer request.

To enter the profession, Merhib suggests first reviewing the state requirements in your area by going to the Associated Bodyworks and Massage Professionals (ABMP) resource located here:
http://www.massagetherapy.com/careers/stateboards.php

For more information about Michele, or about elements therapeutic massage, visit online at www.touchofelements.com or call 877-663-0880×24.

About elements therapeutic massage:

elements therapeutic massage is headquarted in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and is part of Fitness Together Franchise Corporation. In 1996, Fitness Together Franchise Corporation began franchising to bring professional and affordable personal training services to every major city. Today there are over 425 Fitness Together personal training franchise locations throughout the world and 600 scheduled to open. elements therapeutic massage is following the same model, and was created in 2000 by founder, Michele Merhib. The company started franchising in 2006 under the Fitness Together Franchise Corporation.