Massage/Resort Spa need information please (Phoenix, Tucson: relocating, work, health)

[Prila0519]

I am a massage therapist in Michigan and I am planning on relocating to Phoenix/Scottsdale/Tempe area. I wanted to know if anyone is familiar with the laws for hiring a massage therapist. Is national certification required to work in the resort spas, how many hours of schooling required? What resort spas and in which area are top notch? I am eager to move to that area and would love some feedback. Thank you.

[smallvillefan]

Hi there! You need to visit the massage board website here: AZ Massage Therapy

This will give you answers as far as hours of schooling (which looks like they upped it to 700) and how to go about getting your license. And yes, a license is a requirement in the state of AZ.

I can't help you as far as resorts go because I just moved here 3 months ago. If you have any questions regarding the website I listed call the board...when I spoke to them awhile back they were very helpful and kind

[Phoenix lady]

Try a massage association of arizona organization. I would imagine they'd have info. Also, I think there are definitely licensing laws (not all states, but here yes). If you grad. from a nat'l program, they'd accept your Michigan license--you'd probably, like other health professions, have to do paperwork and pay a fee.
Look on-line in the Arizona Republic newspaper for ads. Maybe Tucson, too.

[sablebaby]

Be aware that there are thousands of massage therapists here. We have a lot of schools for it that graduate a lot. I think it's over saturated myself.

[smallvillefan]

No kidding sablebaby! I am a LMT and I don't have any plans of practicing here. I am actually a little shocked at the prices people are charging here for a 1 hour massage considering that the market is over saturated. New Mexico is also over saturated, but the therapists there charge considerably less than here.