People who give massage for compensation must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Massage therapists are at least 18 years old and of good moral character and pass a background check. Registered sex offenders, prostitutes and rapists are not allowed to become massage therapists. Massage therapists in IL get a minimum of 600 hours of instruction and must pass an examination and background check. Licensed massage therapists will include their license number on advertisements. You can look up a license to verify that the person giving massage is indeed trained and licensed .
“Massage” or “massage therapy” means a system of structured palpation or movement of the soft tissue of the body. The system may include, but is not limited to, techniques such as effleurage or stroking and gliding, petrissage or kneading, tapotement or percussion, friction, vibration, compression, and stretching activities as they pertain to massage therapy. These techniques may be applied by a licensed massage therapist with or without the aid of lubricants, salt or herbal preparations, hydromassage, thermal massage, or a massage device that mimics or enhances the actions possible by human hands. The purpose of the practice of massage, as licensed under this Act, is to enhance the general health and well-being of the mind and body of the recipient. “Massage” does not include the diagnosis of a specific pathology. “Massage” does not include those acts of physical therapy or therapeutic or corrective measures that are outside the scope of massage therapy practice as defined in this Section.
“Massage therapist” means a person who is licensed by the Department and administers massage for compensation. PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
(225 ILCS 57/) Massage Licensing Act.
Practitioners that do not involve intentional soft tissue manipulation, including but not limited to Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch do not have to obtain a massage licenses. Other types of bodywork such as Rolfing, Trager Approach, Polarity Therapy, and Orthobionomy, are exempt from the Massage Act as well as members of the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia are exempt from licensure under this Act (Until January 1, 2024, members of the) . Practitioners of other forms of bodywork who restrict manipulation of soft tissue to the feet, hands, and ears, and who do not have the client disrobe, such as reflexology, are exempt from this Act.
Financial & Professional Regulation
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