Colorado Massage Licensing
In 2008 Colorado implemented Senate Bill 219, which provided for the state registration of massage therapists. The intention of the law is to benefit the Colorado massage therapy community in three primary ways:
1. Minimum training requirements and scope of practice are defined.
2. An avenue for the consumer complaint is established.
3. Local regulations are pre-empted, meaning massage therapists register with the state and no longer have to become licensed in their city.
In 2013 Colorado changed its designation for massage therapists from "registered" to "licensed," which was simply a shift in terminology, effectively changing the designation from "Registered Massage Therapist" (RMT) to "Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT).
The following is taken from the Colorado Massage Therapists Practice Act:
"On July 1, 2014, each active massage therapy registration becomes an active massage therapy license by operation of law. The conversion from registration to licensure does not affect any prior discipline, limitation, or condition imposed by the director on a massage therapist's registration; limit the director's authority over any registrant; or affect any pending investigation or administrative proceeding. The director shall treat any application for a massage therapist registration pending as of July 1, 2014, as an application for licensure, which application is subject to the requirements established by the director."
1. Minimum training requirements and scope of practice are defined.
2. An avenue for the consumer complaint is established.
3. Local regulations are pre-empted, meaning massage therapists register with the state and no longer have to become licensed in their city.
In 2013 Colorado changed its designation for massage therapists from "registered" to "licensed," which was simply a shift in terminology, effectively changing the designation from "Registered Massage Therapist" (RMT) to "Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT).
The following is taken from the Colorado Massage Therapists Practice Act:
"On July 1, 2014, each active massage therapy registration becomes an active massage therapy license by operation of law. The conversion from registration to licensure does not affect any prior discipline, limitation, or condition imposed by the director on a massage therapist's registration; limit the director's authority over any registrant; or affect any pending investigation or administrative proceeding. The director shall treat any application for a massage therapist registration pending as of July 1, 2014, as an application for licensure, which application is subject to the requirements established by the director."
Steps to Becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist in Colorado
1. Complete your 500 hour Massage Therapy training at an approved school (either licensed by the State of Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools or a community college.)
2. Sign up for and take the Mblex Exam.
3. Once you have passed the Mblex you will apply for your Colorado State Massage License.
Go to:
www.colorado.gov/dora
Divisions
Professions and Occupations
Apply for a New License
Massage Therapy
Office of Massage Therapy Licensure: Applications and Forms
Apply Online for an MT License by Endorsement or Examination
Notes of interest:
*There is an $80.00 application processing fee with a credit card or electronic check as part of completing the application process.
*You must provide Primary Source verification that you passed the Mblex (when you apply for the mblex you will be asked if/where you would like fsmbt to send your test results directly)
*Please be prepared to request that your school send to the Division your original transcript in a sealed envelope. Your application cannot be processed until your transcript is received.
*Background Check: You must submit fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in order to conduct a state and national background check. The results of your background check from CBI are only available to DPOS Licensing for a period of 90 days AFTER your MT application is received online; therefore, in the interest of timing, you should complete your online application within one week of submitting your fingerprints to CBI for your background check. You should also TAKE AND PASS your test before having your fingerprints taken. You CANNOT use a previous background check or a background check from another state or jurisdiction. You must submit to a background check specifically for your massage therapy license.
*Liability Insurance: You must attest that you individually carry or will carry and maintain upon commencement of practice, professional liability insurance in an amount of not less than $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars) per claim with an aggregate liability limit for all claims during the year of $300,000 (three hundred thousand dollars) as required by § 12-35.5-116, C.R.S.
*Affidavit of Eligibility: You will be asked to attest to and provide information that you are lawfully present in the United States or otherwise eligible to work here.
2. Sign up for and take the Mblex Exam.
3. Once you have passed the Mblex you will apply for your Colorado State Massage License.
Go to:
www.colorado.gov/dora
Divisions
Professions and Occupations
Apply for a New License
Massage Therapy
Office of Massage Therapy Licensure: Applications and Forms
Apply Online for an MT License by Endorsement or Examination
Notes of interest:
*There is an $80.00 application processing fee with a credit card or electronic check as part of completing the application process.
*You must provide Primary Source verification that you passed the Mblex (when you apply for the mblex you will be asked if/where you would like fsmbt to send your test results directly)
*Please be prepared to request that your school send to the Division your original transcript in a sealed envelope. Your application cannot be processed until your transcript is received.
*Background Check: You must submit fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in order to conduct a state and national background check. The results of your background check from CBI are only available to DPOS Licensing for a period of 90 days AFTER your MT application is received online; therefore, in the interest of timing, you should complete your online application within one week of submitting your fingerprints to CBI for your background check. You should also TAKE AND PASS your test before having your fingerprints taken. You CANNOT use a previous background check or a background check from another state or jurisdiction. You must submit to a background check specifically for your massage therapy license.
*Liability Insurance: You must attest that you individually carry or will carry and maintain upon commencement of practice, professional liability insurance in an amount of not less than $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars) per claim with an aggregate liability limit for all claims during the year of $300,000 (three hundred thousand dollars) as required by § 12-35.5-116, C.R.S.
*Affidavit of Eligibility: You will be asked to attest to and provide information that you are lawfully present in the United States or otherwise eligible to work here.
A few basic guidelines for Colorado Massage Licensure:
1. After initial licensing there are no further educational requirements.
2. A signed affidavit of holding professional liability insurance is required.
3. Licensed Massage Therapists are required to renew every two years.
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and the MBLEx Exam
The FSMTB is a non profit board that offers the MBLEx Exam. The mission of the FSMTB is "to support its member boards in their work to ensure that the practice of massage therapy is provided to the public in a safe and effective manner." For more on the history of FSMTB and their overall role in Massage Therapy please visit FSMTB.
The MBLEx Candidate Handbook contains all relevant information for taking the MBLEx exam, including the Content Outline, Exam Bibliography, and Step by Step Instructions on how to sign up for and take the exam.
Additional MBLEx Exam Resources:
Free mblex practice exams:
http://mblexstudyguide.com
http://www.proprofs.com
https://hapiland.net/40-free-mblex-practice-test-2015-questions-and-answers
The MBLEx Candidate Handbook contains all relevant information for taking the MBLEx exam, including the Content Outline, Exam Bibliography, and Step by Step Instructions on how to sign up for and take the exam.
Additional MBLEx Exam Resources:
Free mblex practice exams:
http://mblexstudyguide.com
http://www.proprofs.com
https://hapiland.net/40-free-mblex-practice-test-2015-questions-and-answers