How to Transfer Your Massage Therapy License to New York State

Are you a massage therapist planning on moving to New York State? Inviting, action-packed, and beautiful all year-round, New York State also offers many career opportunities for massage therapists. From spas to resorts, working in a clinical setting, or setting up a private practice, massage therapists can find a job quickly once licensed in New York State. 

Although your driver’s license is valid when you are in a different state, your massage license is not. Your state license does not allow you to practice massage freely outside of the state where it was issued, even if you are board–certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). If you are planning on moving and becoming a licensed massage therapist in New York, there are a few required steps to start practicing. 

How to Transfer Your Massage License to New York State 

Submit an Application 

The first step toward transferring your massage therapy license to New York State is submitting a completed application for licensure, along with the required fee. This application goes to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and includes your transcripts, documentation of any massage licenses you currently hold, and other requested information. 

Once you have submitted this, New York State will issue what is called a deficiency letter.  

What is a Deficiency Letter? 

A deficiency letter explains exactly what you are missing from your previous massage therapy education. Since New York requires 1,000 hours of instruction, most applicants from out of state are asked to complete additional hours before they are eligible to take the licensing exam. 

These requirements vary depending on your background, but often include courses in: 

• Anatomy and physiology 
• Neurology or kinesiology 
• Pathology 
• Massage techniques (Eastern and/or Western) 
• Business practices and ethics 
• Supervised clinical hours 

The good news is that once you receive your deficiency letter, you will have a clear roadmap of what you need to complete. At The Institute for Holistic Health, we can help you get there. 

Choose Your NYS Massage Therapy Program 

Now it is time to find a program that can accommodate the needs of a transfer student. Here is what sets The Institute for Holistic Health apart: 

• We regularly work with students holding out-of-state licenses.
• Our curriculum is highly customizable and designed to help students complete only what is needed. No extra classes, no unnecessary delays.

Take New York State’s Massage Therapy Licensing Exam 

After completing the required hours, you are then eligible to sit for the New York State massage therapy licensing exam. This exam is offered twice a year and covers a range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, massage techniques, ethics, and business practices. Once you pass, you will be fully licensed to practice massage therapy anywhere in New York State. 

The massage program at The Institute for Holistic Health is registered with the New York State Education Department and is excited to guide you through this process. Welcome to New York! 

About The Institute for Holistic Health 

Our massage therapy program provides students extensive hands-on training in Swedish and Eastern massage therapy, encompassing a scientific background and a holistic approach to preserving and restoring human health. If you are interested in applying to the Institute or inquire about transferring your massage license to New York State, contact us at hello@massageschoolny.com

To apply for a New York State Professional license and more information about New York State massage therapy licensing requirements, visit, http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/mt/mtforms.htm