Here in the District of Columbia, the practice of massage therapy is licensed by the District government.  Massage therapists must have graduated from an approved massage therapy school that provides at least 500 hours of training in anatomy, physiology, and practical application. Only a nationally certified massage therapist may become licensed in DC. A licensed massage therapist is required to take continuing education classes, including classes in first aid, CPR, and ethics. In order to maintain licensure, every two years, they must prove that they meet these requirements. My license number is MT67.

National certification is granted by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork after graduation from an approved massage therapy school, and the passing of an examination to prove one’s knowledge of anatomy, physiology, ethics, and manual techniques. In order to continue being a certified massage therapist, every four years one must pass a rigorous recertification process including proof of adequate work experience, continuing education, and ethics training.

The premier professional association for this field is the American Massage Therapy Association. It’s requirements for professional membership are similar to those for certification and licensure. I have served on the Board of the DC chapter of the AMTA for five years.

The professional association for Trager practitioners is the United States Trager Association. Besides the extensive training to become a practitioner, continued professional membership requires that we receive Trager sessions, as well as significant continuing education, and supervision.

I meet and exceed all these professional and legal requirements.