OMTA - The Oregon Massage Therapists Association
Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become certified to offer continuing education in Oregon?
There is no certification process for continuing education instructors in Oregon. For further information, please contact the Oregon Board of Massage Therapy (OBMT) at (503) 365-8657.

Is OMTA the Oregon chapter of AMTA?
No. The Oregon Massage Therapists Association (OMTA) is a separate organization from AMTA and the Oregon chapter of AMTA (known as AMTA-OR). OMTA was formed as a separate entity in 1985 (see our History for more details) and is still an independent, grassroots organization not affiliated with or responsible to a national organization.

I'm licensed to practice massage in another state. Is it like a driver's license where I can automatically practice in Oregon too?
No, massage therapy licensing does not automatically transfer from state to state. For specific details on how to become licensed in Oregon, please contact the Oregon Board of Massage Therapy (OBMT) at (503) 365-8657.

Frequently Asked Questions: Choosing Your Massage Therapist (LMT)

What should I look for in a massage therapist?
In the state of Oregon, and in most other states, massage therapists are required by state law to be licensed. Licensing ensures that the LMT you visit has had a basic education in massage techniques, has passed a nationally-recognized written exam to ensure technical knowledge competency, and must comply with all sanitation requirements, communicable disease control requirements, and ethical standards of practice. In the state of Oregon, LMTs must also pass a practical exam. Make sure the therapist you choose is licensed. OMTA requires that member therapists be current and licensed. You can access our Directory to search for a member LMT near you.

How do I know if someone is licensed in Oregon?
Please visit the Verification page for the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. For other states, you will need to contact their individual boards or regulatory agencies.

How do I know what kind of massage I need?
There are many different "modalities" of massage therapy. Most people are somewhat familiar with "Swedish" techniques, which typically use lotion or oil and the muscle tissue is gently kneaded and stretched. There are many different varieties of touch therapies, ranging from extremely light techniques like lymph drainage (excellent for reducing edema) to much more intense work, like Rolfing (which can address postural issues). Some techniques require additional training or certification, which you want to make sure your LMT has. Talk to your massage therapist about your needs and goals and about which technique(s) are right for you.

Do I have to be naked?
Many people, especially first-time massage clients are nervous about the level of undress required for a massage treatment. This does vary by the technique, however, the level of undress should be left up to the client's comfort level. As some are more "comfortable" with different levels of undress, regardless of your personal comfort level, the state of Oregon requires draping by law. This means that you must be covered, except for the area being worked on, at all times. At no time shall the gluteal cleft, breast tissue, or genitals be exposed (there are a few exceptions to this for LMTs with specialized training, see more under "What parts of the body can LMTs work on" below. You will undress and get on the table as well as get off the table and dress in privacy. Some techniques do not require any undress and prefer you wear loose-fitting or yoga-type clothing (Thai massage, for example). Check with your practitioner to see what the specifics are for your treatment if you are unsure.

What if I'm not comfortable with something?
Keep the lines of communication open with your LMT. It is critical that you inform your practitioner if you are uncomfortable in any way (hot/cold, pressure too much/not enough, or if the draping sheet/towel feels as if it has slipped, etc.) While most LMTs are very intuitive about where a body needs work, it is still helpful to receive feedback if something isn't quite right for you. The better your communication with your LMT, the better your massage will be!

What parts of the body can LMTs work on?
In the state of Oregon, LMTs have a very wide scope of practice, allowing treatment work on the whole body. However, the very few appropriate techniques that access breast tissue, the gluteal cleft, and genitals require specialized training, clinical cause for treatment, informed and voluntary consent (in writing and prior to getting undressed or on the table), appropriate draping and communication, and the right to stop treatment at any time. If ANY of these aspects are missing, the treatment is inappropriate. If you do have concerns about a technique used, please contact the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists.

Continuing Education: Frequently Asked Questions

How many CEs do I need?
Oregon requires 25 hours of continuing education every two years, due with your renewal. Of the 25 hours, at least 15 must be contact hours of continuing education training or Board approved activities. At least four contact hours must be in Professional Ethics, Boundaries and/or Communication. The remaining 10 of 25 hours may be contact or noncontact hours. If you are licensed in another state, please check with the licensing agency of that state for specific details. At least one contact hour must be CPR.

What is the difference between "contact" hours and "noncontact" hours?
For exact details, please visit the OBMT web site. Contact hours are essentially classes (that show a demonstrable relationship to the practice of massage) taught by and in the presence of an instructor, or online with an interactive instructor. Noncontact hours can be met through a variety of sources, including books, DVDs, attending board meetings, research, and other types of study related to massage. Again, for specifics as to what can be accepted, please contact the OBMT. You can also review Oregon Administrative Rule (Chapter 334) regarding requirements. Definitions are in 334-001-0060 (14) and requirements are in 334-010-0050 as of January 1, 2017.

How many hours of Ethics are required?
Currently, four contact hours in ethics, boundaries and/or communication are required by the State of Oregon each two-year renewal period. If you choose to maintain certification with or membership in an organization that requires ethics classes, these can also be used towards your continuing education hours for Oregon as long as they also meet Oregon criteria. Robert Bike, OMTA's former president, is now teaching a four-hour ethics class nearly every month at Lane Community College in downtown Eugene. See his website for details.

Why is continuing education so expensive?
Not all CE classes have to be expensive to be of quality. Our licensing board recognizes that many LMTs cannot afford several hundred dollars each renewal period for continuing education and offers a variety of flexible options that you can utilize to fulfill your requirements. Classes in Oregon generally cost between $15 and $30 per CE hour. Instructors should be well-versed in their topic, spend a lot of time in preparation, and deserve to be paid for their expertise and time.

You can still get contact hours at reasonable prices if you know where to look and what to do. OBMT board meetings provide you with up-to-date information on what is occurring with state regulation, are free to attend, provide you with one contact hour of CE and are held every other month in Salem, with one traveling meeting a year to outlying areas of the state (for specific details, visit www.oregon.gov/obmt)

If you are in or near Lane County, OMTA co-sponsors a monthly meeting at Lane Community College where OMTA members can attend a 2 CE hour meeting for $5 per month. The meetings are held usually on the first Monday of the month (except holidays) from 6:30-8:30 pm at the LCC downtown campus, usually in room 230. Non-OMTA members can receive two CEs for $10.

How do I become a certified provider for continuing education for massage therapists in Oregon?
There is currently no such thing as a certified provider for continuing education for massage therapists in Oregon, however the OAR 334-010-0050 on Continuing Education lists 13 topics that are currently accepted. If you have a class that you feel is of value to massage therapists, check the Oregon Administrative Rules, and if you are still not sure, contact the OBMT.

How long do I have to keep my continuing education records?
LMTs in Oregon are responsible for tracking and maintaining records of their CE hours for five years. It is helpful, if you do offer a course, that you provide attendees of your classes with a certificate that has the following information on it: Class title (and brief description if the title does not fully describe the coursework), instructor name, date, and time(s) of the class, instructor phone number, and the number of hours of the class. You also must give the attendees a syllabus showing that the class material is in the 13 topics referred to above.

Do classes at colleges or by professional organizations count?
Continuing education provided by a certified college or a professional massage organization, such as OMTA, are accepted by the OBMT as long as they fit into the 13 categories the OBMT recognize. If you teach a class on your own, contact the OBMT for more information.

What classes can I take for Oregon that are also good for my national license?
1) There is no such thing at this time as a "national license" for massage therapy. Each state has its own licensing requirements. National certifications, such as the NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork), are simply continuing education organizations, and provide no licensing.
2) If you are certified through an organization or association that has specific requirements for continuing education, any contact hours (see Oregon definitions) can be used for your Oregon requirements as well.

Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

What is liability insurance and is it required in Oregon?
Liability insurance is insurance that LMTs purchase to protect themselves in case of a lawsuit being filed against them. This could arise from a client slipping as they walked through your entryway into your place of business or from harm caused through a massage. Sexual boundary violations of the LMT are not covered through liability insurance. While liability insurance is NOT required for LMTs in Oregon, it is highly recommended, and OMTA requests that all LMTs attending OMTA events (where hands-on work is done) have liability insurance. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) offers OMTA members a $24.00 discount annually on liability insurance with proof of membership.

How do you bill insurance?
Insurance billing for massage therapists is rapidly becoming a profitable practice. However, it is recommended that LMTs exercise caution and have appropriate training as the board has seen a recent increase in fraud complaints stemming from inappropriate insurance billing practices. There are several types of insurance billing: PIP (Personal Injury Protection, usually through auto accident claims), WC (Worker's compensation), and Health Insurance. OMTA encourages any LMT who wants to utilize insurance billing to take classes and do their research. It is not a simple process that can be explained quickly for "just one client." Choosing to be a provider who bills insurance carries additional responsibilities that affect the rest of your practice, including pricing practices and recordkeeping. The OBMT has seen a significant increase in recent years of complaints of billing fraud against LMTs, with those complaints stemming from clients, insurance companies, and even other LMTs. In addition, LMTs who thought they were "appropriately" billing insurance because they "were told to handle it that way in a billing class" were investigated for inappropriate practices. Before you sign up for a billing course, make sure you do your own research on the course, school, and instructor. Regardless, YOU are responsible, so it is important you familiarize yourself with insurance billing law.

How can I get health insurance?
Unless you (or a significant other) have a job with benefits, finding health insurance that is affordable can be a challenge. OMTA does not offer regular health insurance, although ABMP does offer some group rates (these may still not be reasonable enough for many who are self-employed).

Regulation and Licensing for Massage Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a license to practice massage in Oregon?
For complete details on what education, testing requirements, and other specifics needed for licensure in Oregon, please contact the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT) at (503) 365-8657. If you're moving to Oregon from another state where you had a license, you will still need to go through the application process and will most likely need to take the jurisprudence exam.

Do I have I take the MBLEx or one of the FSMTB exams?
The MBLEx is the only validated exam for entry-level licensure and is accepted by Oregon as a member state of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). Oregon has played an ongoing role in the development and revision of the MBLEx as an appropriate examination for entry-level licensure in this state. However, Oregon may accept an NCBTMB exam.

I have to take the practical exam. What do I need to know (and where can I go for help)?
Oregon no longer requires a practical exam.

Do I have to keep my NCBTMB certification current to renew my license?
At no time do you need to have NCBTMB certification to have an Oregon license for massage therapy. While Oregon may accept the NCBTMB written exam as part of the requirements for licensure, you do not need to be certified to become an LMT or renew as an LMT in Oregon. If you choose to maintain certification through NCBTMB, you might be able to use the CE hours you earn for NCBTMB towards your Oregon CE requirements as well, but they must be in a category that the OBMT recognizes.

Massage Therapy Legislation: Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to know what is going on in the Legislature?
The Oregon legislature determines what information is in massage statutes (laws). The scope of practice, structure of the board, authorities and responsibilities of the board, who is subject to those statutes, and the requirements for licensure are determined by these laws.

When the legislature is in session, there is the possibility that these statutes can be revised. Revisions can affect everything from the number of hours or other requirements for initial licensure, who is subject to those requirements, requirements of the board (which may involve cost that is then passed on to licensees), and the regulatory structure for touch therapies in oregon.

How can I find out what is going on in the legislature?
The most up-to-date information is available on the Oregon legislature's web site, http://www.leg.state.or.us

You can do a search of bills and laws for the word "massage" to find applicable bills.

Contact Your Representatives
Don't know who your legislators are? Visit the state of Oregon Legislature web site to find your legislators.

Proposed Legislation
There are a number of groups who are seeking exemption from massage statutes to avoid licensure and regulation in Oregon. The Multiple Discipline Task Force (MDTF) was formed by the OBMT to address the concerns of members of those groups. Some chose to send representatives; others refused. Please visit the OBMT Notices page for information on upcoming MDTF meetings.