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Attend Massage Therapy School with Your VA Benefits

Attend Massage Therapy School with Your VA Benefits

The College of Lake County describes its Massage Therapy program as blending book learning with hands-on experience. "After you complete this program, you are prepared to sit for the national Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).

This exam is a requirement for licensure in most states, including Illinois and Wisconsin." Learning massage therapy in an academic setting typically combines theory and practice.

A degree or certification in Massage Therapy is also an option for higher education in related fields such as Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy.

Massage Therapy Requirements

Most states regulate massage therapy and require massage therapists to have a license or certification. Currently most states (and the District of Columbia) have regulations concerning massage therapy. Regulations at the local levels may also apply.

Regulations typically require graduation from an approved massage therapy program and passing an exam. The most popular exam process is the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) licensure exam, offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

Massage therapists may also need to pass a background check, have liability insurance, and be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Continuing education credits to periodically renew licensure is also common.

What Do Massage Therapists Do?

Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. Yet, massage therapy is much more than a Swedish or Shiatsu massage when on vacation. Massage therapists work in a wide variety of settings including:
  • Physicians’ Offices
  • Rehab Clinics
  • Spas
  • Wellness Clinics
  • Hotels
  • Fitness Centers
  • Client’s Homes

Education and Training for Massage Therapy

Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary education program of 500 or more hours of study and experience. Programs include both classroom study and hands-on practice of massage techniques. Programs cover subjects such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, business management, and ethics. Students may also choose to specialize in a particular area of treatment.

Massage Therapy can span a variety of specialties including:
  • Injury Therapy
  • Headache Treatment
  • TMJ Treatment
  • Manual Lymph Drainage Therapy (MLD)
  • Craniosacral Therapy
  • Prenatal Massage

Can I Use the GI Bill to Pay for Massage Therapy School?

The short answer is yes.  The GI Bill can pay for massage therapy school, including certificate or degree programs.  You can find GI Bill-approved schools with massage therapy programs below.  However, you will always need to check with the school to ensure that your VA benefits actually covers your program of choice.

Ready to Become a Massage Therapist?

Many massage therapists do not work a typical 9-5 job. Because therapists typically work by appointment, their schedules and the number of hours worked each week can vary considerably. Many massage therapists choose to work part-time, while others may opt for a busier schedule driven by seasonal, vacation, and tourist demand.

Successful massage therapists benefit from the following skills and attributes:

Ready to Earn Your Certificate or Degree in Massage Therapy?

Arizona School of Integrative Studies (ASIS) Certificate in Massage Therapy

Offers a Certificate Program in Massage Therapy. ASIS is a private vocational school with 4 locations in Arizona. Certificate programs run for 7 months to 1.5 years. ASIS is a GI Bill-approved school. Students should check with the school to ensure their preferred program is covered by the GI Bill. Students at ASIS can enroll in a certificate program to earn their Arizona License and prepare them to sit the MBLEx.



National Holistic Institute | A College of Massage Therapy

Offers an in-person and hybrid (in-person and online) Certificate Program in Massage Therapy and programs in Aromatherapy, Asian Bodywork, and Ayurvedic medicine.