Massage therapy aims to work with patients to enhance their physical well-being and general quality of life.
Oregon massage schools offer a route to a rewarding profession that is gaining popularity and recognition.Â
Oregon massage colleges offer top-notch instruction to meet the state’s license standards and help students develop their technical and personal abilities.
While training for a vocation that provides several specialty opportunities, such as sports, prenatal, or geriatric massage, take in the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Also, Oregon has many cities known for their diverse recreational and cultural offerings where you can find massage therapy schools.
Are you interested in learning more about Oregon’s best massage therapy schools? Keep reading!
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Are there Massage Therapy Schools in Oregon?
There are very few massage therapy schools in Oregon. These massage therapy schools are listed below:
- Central Oregon Community College
- Rogue Community College
- Carrington College-Portland
- Sage School of Massage & Esthetics
- University of Western States
- East West College of the Healing Arts
- Oregon School of Massage
- IBS School of Cosmetology and Massage
- Gorge Academy of Cosmetology and Massage
How Does One Become A Massage Therapist in Oregon?
Obtaining a high school diploma or a GED is the first requirement to practice massage therapy in Oregon.
The next step is for the student to enroll in a state-approved MT program at a recognized postsecondary institution.
The minimum amount of teaching and training required by curricula is 624 hours, according to the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists.
This is equivalent to 15.74-semester credits or 25 quarter credits. Two hundred hours (eight quarter credits or 5.34-semester credits) of anatomy and physiology, pathology, and kinesiology-related health sciences coursework are required.
An additional 300 hours (12 quarter credits or eight-semester credits) must be spent on clinical practice, business development, sanitation, communication, and ethics, in addition to massage theory and practical application.
Furthermore, any required topic areas may be used for the remaining 125 hours (five quarter credits or 2.4 semester credits). The kinds of massage techniques and other therapeutic practices that programs teach differ.
After graduating, a potential practitioner must pass either the Certification Examination for Structural Integration (CESI) or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) (CESI). Most states’ required test, the MBLEx, is typically the students’ choice.
They submit an online $200 application fee to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing facility.
Also, the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam, a written test of Oregon laws that students can take at home and submit to the state board, is another requirement for graduation.
When renewing their licenses, practitioners must complete 25 hours of continuing education. The school board has a list of approved course topics.
What are the Best Massage Therapy Schools in Oregon?
Below are the best massage therapy schools in Oregon and some information about them:
1. Central Oregon Community College
Students studying massage therapy at this public institution in Bend can pursue a certificate program or an associate in applied science degree.
The certificate program’s 830 credit hours include all required curriculum and courses in managing a massage practice, hydrotherapy, English composition, pre-algebra, rhetoric/critical thinking, and academic composition.
The daytime or evening AAS program includes math and communication requirements, Executive Office Decisions, Applied Accounting, and Computer Concepts.
Also, an introduction to the massage career, Movement for Massage, the Spirit of Massage, and Aromatherapy are prerequisites. The faculty have been teaching for more than 150 years.
2. Rogue Community College
Two certificates in massage therapy are available from this Grants Pass public school.
Classes in college reading, composition or academic literacy, hydrotherapy and massage for cancer patients, myofascial release, and craniosacral therapy are offered in the four-semester, one-year curriculum, and the three-semester, entry-level program.
Furthermore, Swedish, Asian, prenatal/infant/child, sports, trigger point, and deep tissue massage techniques are taught to students.
College Success and Survival, as well as a pre-algebra or other math course, are prerequisite courses.
In addition to Expository Writing, students in the one-year program must take a psychology or human relations course. A placement test determines the need for further general education courses.
Read More: 15 Best Massage Therapy Schools in North Carolina|Ranking
3. Carrington College-Portland
Carrington, established in 1967, has campuses in eight Western states, including one at Portland’s Lloyd Center on the third floor.
Those who complete the massage therapy program are awarded certificates of completion. The curriculum takes 660 clock hours (35 credit hours), or roughly nine months, to complete.
The program covers the required courses and sports, deep tissue, and chair massage techniques. Students study Shiatsu as well.
Also, an online career development seminar and an externship mark the program’s conclusion. Job-search tactics, résumé writing, and interviewing procedures are all part of career services.
4. Sage School of Massage & Esthetics
This private institute in Bend provides a 740-clock-hour MT certificate program that takes seven months to complete through day classes.
The program includes 230 hours of state-mandated science courses and 104 hours of professional development and health classes like Communications & Ethics, Career Success, Nutrition for Health, and Self-Care.
Additionally, massage and associated disciplines take up 406 hours of a student’s time. Swedish Foundations, Soft Tissue Techniques, Introduction to Assessment & Treatment, Myofascia, Interactive Body Balancing, Integrating Techniques, and Hydrotherapy & Spa Techniques are among the courses offered.
The curriculum is completed with a clinical practicum and community service.
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5. University of Western States
This private, nonprofit university founded in 1904 is another excellent option. The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation recognizes the school’s MT program, which has campuses in Portland and Salem.
Part-time students can work up to 18 hours per week on a flexible schedule. Swedish, deep tissue, sports/orthopedics/rehabilitation, and medical massage techniques are taught to students.
They have full access to the university’s award-winning anatomical sciences building and library. In hands-on classes, the student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1.
In addition, graduates may utilize the certificate toward a bachelor’s degree in applied science at Chemeketa Community College.
6. East West College of the Healing Arts
EWCHA, a private school in Portland, has an MT program recognized by the prestigious Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.
The 800-hour curriculum is divided into four 12-week terms that last one year (full-time) or 15 months (part-time). There are schedules available in the morning, afternoon, and evening/weekend.
Massage techniques, as well as hydrotherapy and myofascial procedures, are taught to students. Craniosacral Therapy, Thai Massage, Spa Therapies, and Chinese Massage are the elective classes available.
However, programs begin each year in January, April, July, and October. In massage classes, the student-to-teacher ratio is typically 14:1. The institution offers workshops and continuing education courses.
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7. Oregon School of Massage
The Oregon School of Massage, established in 1984 and licensed by the Oregon Department of Education, is a private, professional school specializing in massage and allied health education.
Massage therapy courses are available for aspiring massage therapists, licensed professionals, and the general public.
They believe that a therapist’s touch, paired with their knowledge of the body and presence, can create the difference between an essential massage and a profoundly healing encounter.
Oregon School of Massage is dedicated to providing holistic education and training that integrates the body, mind, heart, and spirit.
However, as practitioners, you must know what you transmit with your touch. With this in mind, they have focused on merging the psycho-spiritual components of treatment with human body research.
8. IBS School of Cosmetology and Massage
IBS was a forerunner in competency-based education. As competency programs, hair, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology are available. They prepare the students to excel in every topic of study given by the institution.
Currently, the institution provides a three-day or two-day massage curriculum. It is possible to complete the curriculum and the hours required to sit for the state and national exams in about six months.
There is also a busy massage clinic that provides essential experience with applying theory in a clinical setting.
Also, the program’s goal is to give students hands-on exposure to massage techniques and clinical practices that will prepare them for jobs.
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9. Gorge Academy of Cosmetology and Massage
This school’s massage therapy program is 650 hours long.
Gorge Academy is expanding its Massage Therapy Program to a larger and more focused facility on the demands of the Massage Therapy Experience.
The Benefits of a Career as a Massage Therapist in the Columbia Gorge:
- The excellent earning potential with a high hourly rate and opportunities for gratuities.
- A flexible and rewarding career that allows you to set your hours and schedule.
- Ability to Find Work Immediately, Either in a Local Salon or Spa or as an Independent Business Owner
- Get Licensed and Ready to Start Your Career in 6 Months with Only Three Days a Week.
- Small, charming class sizes and local connections help you build your clientele while in school.
- Excellent work/life balance in a less stressful and more passionate industry.
- For networking and camaraderie, classmates might be converted into local colleagues.
- Continued Ergonomic Movement and Activity keep you fit and active.
- Your work speaks for itself, and you have a fantastic opportunity to gain referral clients.
- Passion for the Health & Wellness Industry with a Chance to Give Back and Help Others
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How Long are Massage Therapy Schools in Oregon?
The Oregon Board of Massage Therapists regulates the profession of massage therapy in this state.
To become a licensed massage therapist in Oregon, applicants must finish at least 500 hours of training at an accredited massage therapy school.
This qualification includes 200 hours in health sciences such as anatomy and physiology, pathology, and kinesiology, and 300 hours in massage theory and application, business development, ethics, sanitation, and hands-on practice.
However, applicants must then pass the Oregon Practical Exam and a national certification written exam offered by the Board.
Also, the MBLEx, NCETM, and FSMTMB exams are accepted by the Board. Also taken is the CESI-Certification Examination for Structural Integration.
A 25-question open-book written jurisprudence test covering the rules and regulations governing massage is also required.
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How Much Massage Therapy Schools in Oregon?
Tuition for massage therapy schools can be less expensive than a four-year degree, though rates vary widely depending on the curriculum.
To become a licensed massage therapist, students typically must complete 500 to 1,000 hours of training. However, more intensive programs with a broader range of courses cost more.
Be prepared with reliable guidance on paying for your education as you weigh alternatives for a degree or program.
The price of tuition at massage therapy schools varies substantially. As little as $5,000 to $7,000 per year can be paid for some community college programs. For a one-year curriculum, you may be charged up to $20,000.
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How Much Do Massage Therapists Make in Oregon?
The average Oregon practitioner earns a yearly salary of roughly $62,800, or about $30.20 per hour. Over $41,400 per year, or about $20 per hour, is the national median income, substantially higher than that.
The top 10% of massage therapists in the state earn more than $95,500, or $46, compared to roughly $78,300, or $37.65, nationally.
In Oregon, the bottom 10% receive about $34,000, or about $16.30, and across the US, they receive more than $21,300, or approximately $10.25.
However, in 2016, there were 3,290 massage therapists in this state. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates four thousand sixty positions by 2026.
That would be a 23 percent increase in employment, compared to the predicted 26 percent nationwide increase.
Conclusion
You can be able to make a living by helping people reduce stress and suffering and by enhancing their sense of health and well-being by becoming a licensed massage therapist in Oregon.
You can obtain the fundamental skills, information, attitudes, and ethical direction you need to successfully perform massage therapy in various professional settings.
Additionally, you can pick up in-depth expertise to broaden your understanding and employ specialist massage techniques on your clients.
If you’re interested in pursuing a profession as a massage therapist, look into enrolling in one of these schools in Oregon.
FAQs
How do I renew my massage license in Oregon?
According to what we understand, to renew their licenses, massage therapists in Oregon must complete 25 CE hours, including 4 CE hours in ethics, every two years. 15 of the 25 hours, including the 4 hours of ethics, must be completed in a real classroom.
Can you give massages without a license in Oregon?
A person may not practice or pretend to perform massage unless they have a massage therapist license issued by the Oregon State Board of Massage Therapists.
Is massage draping required in Oregon?
Yes. The massage therapist must utilize safe and functional coverage and draping techniques when the client is undressed.
Reference
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