Lakewood

 School

of

Therapeutic

Massage

News and Events

Massage Therapist Licensure Information

To view updated Licensure information; Click Here

Michigan Board of Massage Therapy Has Been Established

 Wednesday, July 1, 2009

To view the list of Board Members; Click Here

Michigan Licensing Bill Signed by Governor Granholm

Friday, January 9, 2009

On Friday, January 9, 2009, HB 5651 was passed to provide for the state licensing of massage therapists. While the law is effective immediately, it will take some time to implement. It will likely take several months before applications become available. Check the website for updated information.

The law will benefit the massage therapy community in three primary ways:

Existing practitioners

For approximately the first year license applications are available, existing practitioners will be able qualify for state license by meeting one of these five criteria:

1. Provide evidence that you have been an active member, as a massage therapist, of a professional massage therapy association (such as ABMP) for at least one year; or
2. Establish by affidavit that you have practiced massage therapy for an average of at least 10 hours per week for five or more years; or
3. Establish by affidavit that you have practiced massage therapy for at least 3 years and provide evidence from the school you attended that you also completed at least 300 hours of formal training; or
4. You have passed am exam approved by the board*; or
5. You have completed at least 500 hours of classroom instruction in massage.                 

Once a massage therapist becomes state licensed, you will be required to complete 18 hours of continuing education and renew your state license every 3 years.

After the initial year of licensing, new candidates for state license will have to complete a 500-hour minimum massage therapy program AND pass an exam (to be) approved by the Michigan Massage Board.*

An eleven member board, consisting of seven massage therapists and four public members, will be created to implement the law. The board will be responsible for writing rules and regulations to implement the law and determining an approved exam or exams.

Professions exempt from obtaining state registration, as long as practitioners do not practice or advertise that they practice massage therapy, include: reflexologists, movement educators (Feldenkrais, Trager), energy workers (Reiki, Shiatsu, Asian Bodywork, Polarity), structural integrators (Rolfing and Hellerwork)

To view the entire law, go to: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007- 2008/billenrolled/House/pdf/2008-HNB-5651.pdf

      Federal Financial Aid now Available

We now have Federal Financial Aid for those who qualify. Students can access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Informational Visit

When choosing a school for your Massage Therapy education, there are several things to consider. We would like to offer you an opportunity for an Informational Visit. We would like you to see the school, and get the information you need to make an informed choice about your education. call the school today to schedule your informational visit. We look forward to meeting you. 

Articulation Agreement with Community College and Siena Heights

 Through an articulation agreement between Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage and St. Clair County Community College (SC4), you can apply your Massage Therapy program completion  at Lakewood School toward an Associates Degree in Applied Arts and Sciences.

We have a similar agreement with Siena Heights University whereby a student who successfully completes our program can apply their course work toward a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Massage Therapy. Siena Heights offers classes at SC4 making this a very attractive option for our graduates.

As the field of Massage Therapy continues to grow and receive recognition as a valuable component of Complementary Health Care, this is an opportunity to combine your technical training with academic advancement.  For further information, contact Lakewood School or

St. Clair County Community College.

Send mail to lakewoodschool@sbcglobal.net with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2005 Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage, Inc.