5 Steps to Become a Massage Therapist in Alberta

Massage therapy is a great, in-demand career. So how do you become a massage therapist? What are the massage therapist requirements in Alberta, CA? How do you obtain an RMT license?

The process of becoming a massage therapist is similar to that of a nurse, physical therapist, or a dental hygienist. That is to say, to practice in Alberta, you need training, practice, and graduate from a recognized post-secondary institution such as MaKami College.

There are five specific steps along your path to becoming a registered massage therapist.

While there are no set requirements to become a massage therapist, students will need to attend a massage therapy program that offers at least 2,200 hours of training if they want to join the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta (MTAA) or bill health insurance. Alberta does not require an RMT license, however some cities such as Calgary require a municipal license.

There are five specific steps along your path to becoming become a registered massage therapist in Alberta.

1. Check Your Eligibility

   First, start with this short survey below to find out if you’re eligible. Massage therapy schools like ours can accommodate different backgrounds, languages and previous experiences. We’ll ask you a few questions about your background so we know if you’re a good fit for the massage therapy program.

 

2. Apply and Take a Tour

   Once you’ve checked your eligibility, the next step is the application! Now, applying to a massage therapy school is a big decision, and at MaKami College, we want you to experience the college as part of your application.

   We ask that all applicants come for a tour of the college at the start of their application. On a campus tour, you get to learn more about the course work, in our massage therapy program, see the facility, meet some of the teachers and staff, see massage therapy students in action, and even get a massage yourself!

3. Take Your Massage Therapy Coursework

   After you’re accepted into the MaKami College, it’s time to hit the books and take some classes. The Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy program takes two years. In the first year, your classes will teach you anatomy, physiology, pathology, and different massage techniques. Year two dives deeper into advanced techniques and knowledge of the human body. MaKami College is currently the only licensed massage therapy college in Alberta to provide a two-year, 3,000-hour diploma program in Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy to help you advance your career to its full potential.

   Additionally, course work at MaKami prepares you to be a successful employee or business owner. You’ll learn how to market your skills, communicate with clients, and understand the different environments where you can use your massage therapy abilities.

4. Complete Your Practicum

   After the first year of coursework, we’ll help you land a practicum placement in your city. We have relationships with massage therapy employers all across Alberta, particularly in and around Calgary and Edmonton, to aid you with finding placement to gain valuable hands-on experience. Think of this as an internship where you get to practice your skills and see what the real world of massage therapy work is like. This practicum can lead to full-time employment, though that’s not guaranteed. Some employers have asked students to stay on during their second year and even beyond that.

5. Get Your 3,000 Hours to Graduate!

   Finally, to complete your advanced clinical massage therapy program, you need 3,000 hours of practice. All of this will come throughout your program and practicum. As you can imagine, this means you’re getting a LOT of hands-on experience during the program. Massage therapy courses at MaKami combine book smarts and clinical hours where you work with actual clients!

If you’re still considering whether becoming a massage therapist is right for you, check out What are the Pros and Cons of Becoming a Registered Massage Therapist?

Ready to get started take that first step to become a massage therapist? Fill out theat eligibility form above to start the process!