Illinois Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements
State of Illinois Massage Therapist Requirements
Massage Therapy Licensure and Renewal in Illinois
If you’re at least 18 years of age and ready to move into your career as a massage therapist in Illinois, you must obtain a massage license. The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation regulates the licensing of massage therapists and massage schools.
Massage therapists must successfully complete 600 hours of an approved massage therapy program and pass the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork's (NCBTMB) examination or the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
You will also be required complete a verification fingerprint processing from the Illinois Department of State Police (ISP) or an Illinois approved fingerprint vendor agency.
Massage therapists are required to complete 24 hours of Illinois approved continuing education from an approved sponsor every 2 years.
As an Illinois Approved Continuing Education Sponsor (#9115234) Jumozy Continuing Education offers massage therapy CE courses for your Illinois license renewal.
Massage Therapy Program
The 600 hours of supervised classroom and supervised hands-on instruction massage therapy program at an Illinois approved massage school must include:
- Human anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology.
- Massage therapy theory, technique and practice.
- Contraindications, benefits, precautions, history, client data collection, and documentation.
- Ethics, business and legalities of massage and professional standards.
Massage Instructor Educational Requirement and Licensure
Individual schools are required to submit the qualifications of its instructors (teachers) and a plan to ensure that they are qualified by training and experience to provide effective instruction to teach in the massage subject that they are teaching.
The State of Illinois requires massage schools to have a faculty demonstrate competence in their areas of teaching as evidenced by a minimum of 2 years or 2000 hours of experience in their field or by appropriate degrees/certificates from approved colleges, schools, institutions and programs.
Most schools would require that the instructor hold a valid Illinois massage license and be a member in good standing with the Illinois Board of Massage.
Renewal Time Period
Your massage therapy license expires on December 31 of each even numbered year (every 2 years). You may renew the license during the month preceding the expiration date by paying the required fee and completing continuing education (CE).
With many approved massage continuing education programs in Illinois, it can be difficult to choose the right massage CE courses and CE provider.
As a leading NCBTMB approved massage CE provider Jumozy offers many courses for Illinois massage license renewal. Jumozy is an approved CE provider for licensed Illinois massage therapists. See our CE Courses
Late Renewal
It is your responsibility to notify the Illinois Massage Division of any change of address. You must renew your massage license and pay the renewal fee, even if you did not receive a renewal form from the Massage Division.
If you are practicing on a license that has expired, which is considered unlicensed activity, you will be disciplined and can receive a fine.
Expired License Renewal and Inactive Status
Massage therapy, while a rewarding career, can be physically demanding on the massage therapist because of many hours of hands-on work. After several years in the field, a massage therapist may want to give their hands a break, take an extended leave after the birth of a child, or participate in active military service. If you are in this situation, you may place your massage license on inactive status and you will be excused from paying renewal fees until you notify the Massage Division in writing of your intention to resume active status.
Restoring an expired license and inactive status for less than 5 years
If you seek to renew your massage license after it has expired or has been placed on inactive status for less than 5 years you must file an application with the Massage Division, pay a fee of $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $470. You must also show proof of completing 24 hours of continuing education.
Restoring an expired license and inactive status for 5 years or more
If you seek to renew your massage license after it has expired or has been placed on inactive status for 5 years or more the process is more involved. You must file an application with the Massage Division; pay a fee of $50 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $470. You must also show proof of completing 24 hours of continuing education.
In addition, you need to submit the following:
- Certification of current licensure from the appropriate state board or licensing authority in another jurisdiction in which you were authorized to practice and proof of active practice. Proof of current active practice shall include a verification of employment completed by the applicant's supervisor or, if self-employed, by a peer or colleague who is familiar with your work.
- Proof of successful completion of an exam approved by the Massage Division within 2 years prior to the restoration application.
Massage Therapy Continuing Education Approved Provider - Illinois
Jumozy’s massage courses are valid for Illinois CE requirements as we are an Illinois Board of Massage approved continuing education sponsor (#9115234).
Additionally, courses approved by the NCBTMB are accepted for meeting the license renewal for Illinois. Jumozy Continuing Education is approved by the NCBTMB (Provider #452024-12).
Jumozy offers the following Illinois massage CE courses for your license renewal:
- Cellulite Massage (3 CE Hrs)
- Comprehensive Reflexology for the Foot (7.5 CE Hrs)
- Comprehensive Reflexology for the Hand (7.5 CE Hrs)
- Craniosacral Therapy (5 CE Hrs)
- Deep Tissue Massage Therapy: Extremities (4 CE Hrs)
- Deep Tissue Massage Therapy: Pelvic Girdle (2.5 CE Hrs)
- Deep Tissue Massage Therapy: Shoulder Girdle (3 CE Hrs)
- Full Body Chair Massage (5.5 CE Hrs)
- Full Body Stone Massage (3 CE Hrs) & (7 CE Hrs)
- Lymphatic Massage for the Body (4.5 CE Hrs) & (9.5 CE Hrs)
- Lymphatic Massage for the Face & Neck (2.5 CE Hrs)
- Myofascial Release (4 CE Hrs)
- Nurturing Pregnancy Massage (4.75 CE Hrs)
- Reflexology for Allergies & Asthma (2 CE Hrs)
- Reflexology for Anemia, Cardiovascular Disease, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, & Poor Blood Circulation (2 CE Hrs)
- Reflexology for Headaches & Migraines (2 CE Hrs)
- Reflexology for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) & Menopause (2 CE Hrs)
- Reflexology for Stomach Upset, Constipation & Diarrhea (2 CE Hrs)
- Reflexology for Stress, Anxiety, & Depression (2 CE Hrs)
- Reflexology for Urinary Tract Infection, Kidney Stones, Kidney Failure & Incontinence (1.5 CE Hrs)
- Reiki Healing (5 CE Hrs)
More courses on the way. See our CE Courses
Continuing Education Hours and Approved Continuing Education (CE)
When you renew your Illinois massage license, every 2 years, you are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education, including at least 2 hours of ethics. A pre-renewal period is the 24 months preceding December 31 of each even-numbered year.
Courses that are part of the curriculum of a university, college or other educational institution may be applied to fulfill the CE requirements of the State of Illinois.
CE hours shall be earned by verified attendance at (e.g., certificate of attendance or certificate of completion) or participation in a program or course (program) that is offered or sponsored by an approved continuing education sponsor.
Online, Correspondence and Self-Study Courses (12 Hours of CE Credits)
Up to 12 hours of CE credits per renewal may be earned for the following:
- For completion of a self-study course that is offered by an Illinois approved sponsor. Each self-study course must include an examination.
- Credit may be earned for papers prepared and delivered before recognized massage therapy organizations; papers published in nationally recognized massage therapy journals; or a chapter published in a book on massage therapy.
- First time presentation of an academic course or workshop, seminar, in-service, electronic or Web-based course.
All Jumozy massage CE courses are online self-study courses that you may use to fulfill the 12 hours CE credits to meet the Illinois CE requirements. Jumozy is an Illinois approved CE sponsor and NCBTMB approved provider.
Reporting Completed Courses
When you renew your massage license you must certify, on the renewal application, that you fully comply with the CE requirements. It is your responsibility to retain or otherwise produce evidence of compliance, in case you are required to demonstrate compliance with the CE requirements during the Massage Division’s random audit.
Complete your State of Illinois Massage CE in 3 Easy Steps
1. Find your course
2. Pass your Exam
3. Print your certificate
Find Your Illinois Approved Massage CE Course Now! See Course catalog
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Other Things Massage Therapists Need to Know About Licensure
Illinois Massage Application and License Renewal Fees
The fee for application for a license as a massage therapist is $175. The cost to renew your massage license every 2 years is $175, based on rate of $87.50 per year.
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Massage therapists often become experts in several massage modalities, all of which require unique techniques. These different modalities allow the massage therapists to attract more clients, customize therapy to clients' needs, and keep their day-to-day practice interesting.
