Contact your state government online or by phone to find out what government agency regulates massage teaching certification. For example, in Florida, three entities control this process: the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Board of massage. Therefore, to obtain a teaching certificate in Florida, the applicant must comply with all three requirements.
Although national teaching certificates are available, you have to comply with your state's requirements.
In most states, the process of obtaining a massage instructor certification begins with the applicant obtaining a temporary teaching certification and employment. The temporary teaching certification application is usually available on the state website or at the school of employment. There is a fee for this application.
While you are working with a temporary certification, you must certain requirements before you receive your full-time teaching certification. These requirements usually involve a certain amount of student teaching and completion of four technical teaching courses. You will be given a certain amount of time to complete these requirements, which could be up to three years. However, if you do not meet these requirements, you will lose your temporary certification. Most states require that you wait as much as a year before reapplying.
After all the requirements have been met, you need to file another application, and send in another fee, for your full-time teaching certification. Along with this application, you will be required to mail in proof that they have met all the necessary criteria.
After you receive your full-time teaching certificate, you are still required to comply to state laws regarding maintaining your certificate. These requirements usually include, but are not limited to, maintaining an excellent standing with your massage license/certification, meet all requirements for continuing education units and completing more educational courses.