Montana Massage Therapists are licensed by the board of massage after attending massage school, passing a test and call themselves “Massage therapist”, “licensed massage therapist”, “L.M.T.”, “masseur”, or “masseuse”. When they are working with you, they must obtain informed consent (written or verbal) and must provide adequate draping to ensure comfort and safety. Massage therapists in MT will also have their massage license displayed on the wall of their office. The Montana Dept of Labor and Industries website provides a massage license look up feature.
Massage therapy includes: Massage therapy” when provided by a massage therapist means the application of a system of structured touch, pressure, positioning, or holding to soft tissues of the body, Swedish massage, effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, percussion, friction, vibration, compression, passive and active stretching or movement within the normal anatomical range of motion, the external application of water, heat, cold, lubricants, salts, skin brushing, or other topical preparations not classified as prescription drugs, providing information for self-care stress management, and the determination of whether massage is contraindicated and whether referral to another health care practitioner is recommended.
People who practice movement awareness therapists such as Feldenkrais, Trager Approach and movement education are exempt from massage licensing. Other energy based therapies are also exempt from massage licesning. This includes Asian Bodywork Therapy, accupressure, jin shin do, qigong, reiki, shiatsu and tui na. This large loophole allows Asians spas/clinics to use massage as a disguise for their brothels. Legitimate Asian Therapists will inform you of their methods and training.
Also exempt from massage licensing is Structural Integration, Rolfing and Hellerwork. You should make sure that they are certified by the Structural integration certification board. Reflexology is excluded as well which also allows more unlicensed practice of massage and brothels disguising themselves as massage businesses.
37-33-501. License required — enjoining unlawful practice. (1) A person may not practice or purport to practice massage therapy without first obtaining a license under the provisions of 37-33-502.
(2) A person who is not licensed as a massage therapist, whose license has been suspended or revoked, or whose license has lapsed and has not been revived may not use the words or letters “massage therapist”, “licensed massage therapist”, “L.M.T.”, “masseur”, or “masseuse” or any other letters, words, or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a licensed massage therapist or in any way, orally, in writing, or in print or by sign, directly or by implication, purport to be a massage therapist.
(3) A person who knowingly violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor as provided in 37-33-504.
Board of Massage Therapy
PO Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620-0513
Physical Address
Board of Massage Therapy
301 S. Park Avenue
4th Floor
Helena, MT 59620
