Professional training in massage therapy can involve many levels of competency. The American Massage Association (AMA) recommends that massage therapists be trained at a massage training institution that has been accredited by the Commission of Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) or is a member of the AMTA Council of Schools. The therapist should be a member of a professional association with high standards for membership and/or be Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB).

COMTA-accredited massage training programs require at least 500 hours of classroom instruction in anatomy and physiology, massage and technique, relationships with clients, and related subjects. AMTA professional membership is limited to massage therapists who have demonstrated a level of skill and expertise through testing and/or education. In addition, all AMTA-member therapists must agree to abide by the AMTA Code of Ethics.

Thirty states and the District of Columbia currently regulate massage therapy.The specifics of regulation, titling, practices, and scopes of practice vary widely. Check with your local state or community: In some states that do not regulate massage therapists at the state level, municipalities have local ordinances that affect massage therapists.