The profession of massage therapy is growing rapidly, with a projected employment increase of 26% between 2016 to 2026. World Services for the Blind’s Licensed Massage Therapist Certification Program is designed to meet that demand. By training certified massage therapists, the program will address the industry’s need for professionals while helping people who are blind or visual impaired gain meaningful employment. While massage therapists work in a variety of environments, solo practitioners account for the largest percentage of practicing therapists (67 percent). Sixty percent work at least part of their time at a client’s home/business/corporate setting, 23 percent in a healthcare setting, 29 percent in a spa setting, and 38 percent at a home practice. 

Students will learn a variety of methods and theories of body therapy. Each type of massage is considered a “tool” to be used by the practitioner for the benefit of the client.

To ensure program participants are well-rounded in both skills and abilities—and ready to work upon completion of the program—students will also receive adaptive technology support, orientation & mobility, customer-service training and small-business training. Students must be 18 years of age or older and possess either a high school diploma, GED or college transcripts, and be physically able to perform and receive various massage techniques taught by our program. 

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY SYSTEM AND KINESIOLOGY (175 HOURS)

Students will learn the functions and activities performed by the systems of the body as a whole. Students will learn how massage can affect the systems of the body, and how the physiology of the eleven systems relate to massage. Students will also learn indications and contraindications for massage.

TECHNIQUE (225 HOURS)

Students will learn hands-on techniques for practicing massage. In addition to Swedish massage, students will gain a basic understanding of several other modalities including sports massage, soft tissue release, deep tissue, active isolated stretching, sports massage, Fibromyalgia massage, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, aromatherapy, spa services and many more.

MINI-COURSES (100 HOURS)

In this class students will cover a variety of short subjects including hydrotherapy, heliotherapy, electrotherapy, state law, hygiene and infection control, business management, and ethics.

SUPERVISED CLINICAL PRACTICE

Each student is required to give and receive a massage everyday with fellow massage students. At 200 hours and with the approval of the instructors, the student will begin doing clinical massage on the public.

**Additional licensing fees may be incurred based upon the state in which each individual will work. Applying for licensure by endorsement or reciprocity varies by individual state.

LICENSING & RECIPROCITY

In order to practice massage in the state of Arkansas, students are required to obtain a license and register with the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy. Applying for licensure by endorsement or reciprocity varies by individual state. This means that if you are already a licensed massage therapist in one state and are moving to another state, you must obtain a massage license from their state board in order to practice in that state. In some states, you can get licensed by reciprocity, endorsement or credentials.

STATES WITH RECIPROCITY

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, North Dakota, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

STATES WITHOUT RECIPROCITY

Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Utah.

New York and Nebraska require 1,000 hours, whereas Arkansas is 500 hours.

Spa

Cruise Ships, hotels, & resorts

Healthcare Settings

Gyms & Sports Centers

Self-Employed Private Practice

High school diploma or GED 

Keyboarding speed of 35 wpm

12th-grade spelling level 

Reading speed of 100 wpm with 75% comprehension

Excellent ZoomText or JAWS skills 

Strong orientation and mobility skills

CPR Certified *Course provided upon student’s arrival

Workforce Development Services are offered at WSB to provide individuals with visual impairments with the tools needed to enhance and sustain their employability. Through our prevocational and vocational training programs, we provide the education and skills training to jobseekers that employers are looking to hire long term. By producing qualified workers, it helps the individual become more marketable and benefits the employer by reducing their cost of on-the-job training and improving turnover rates for their company. WSB’s focus is to provide services of employment assistance for jobseekers with visual impairments which will assist them in getting competitive integrated employment. Through job preparation and job coaching, certain tools and resources will be provided for the client to be successful in their job search, such as assistance in locating local job fairs, employment workshops, and/or participation in online or virtual job fairs.

In the first 30 days, an extensive assessment is completed in order for WSB to meet the client’s needs where they are. An extensive Interpretive Career Report will be provided to the client and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor on the assessment of their career interests, career training potentials, job satisfaction indicators, career exploration and career recommendations completed with the assistance of our qualified workforce staff and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. Each client’s program will be individualized based on their needs and level of employability. During the skills evaluation period, students will work on a career readiness program tailored to their personal needs in areas such as, their academic skills in areas they may need improvement, assistive technology and computer literacy, daily living skills, and orientation and mobility skills training. Each individual will learn how to complete a resume or update their current resume, interviewing skills, “dress for success” skills, participate in mock interviews, learn soft skills, independent living skills and essential workplace skills. This will assist in the client’s preparation and future choices of a Pre-Vocational or Vocational program, or their area of interest for employment.