Find a school, see what it teaches, and understand what its qualification is worth where you intend to practise. Every school and programme here is checked against the school’s own published information and its state’s.
In the United States a programme is measured against the licensing requirement of the state you intend to practise in, and a school approved in one state may not satisfy another. Start with the state you want to work in.
Schools
22
Programme hours, schedules and costs as each school publishes them. Not every school is here.
State directories
32
Each state’s own list of approved schools, linked and dated — the place to look beyond the schools listed here.
States covered
32
32 states have a school, a state directory, or both. Every state has a guide and a licensing record.
Programme hours
500–920
Reported across 18 programmes in 6 states. Each state sets its own minimum for a license.
Appearing in a state directory does not mean a programme will meet the license requirement for your situation — check that against the state’s licensing record.
These are separate questions everywhere, and a country that answers one clearly may not answer the others at all.
A qualification
What a course awards you. Its worth is set by whoever recognises it, which is rarely the school.
Recognition
Whether a register, regulator or employer accepts that qualification. This is the question that decides whether the training carries.
Permission to practise
Separate again, and often local: premises rules, protected titles and registration can each apply independently of training.
Canada
massage therapist
massothérapeute
Profile reviewed
Training for the province where you plan to work starts with that province's registration route. CMTCA evaluates massage-therapy education programs across Canada; its accreditation is distinct from the provincial authority that grants a practitioner credential. [1][2]
For overseas study, an immigration Educational Credential Assessment does not automatically establish recognition for professional practice. Ask the destination regulator what education evidence it needs, and consult CMTCA for program-accreditation information. [2][1]
Where qualification is recognised
Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation [1]
Massage therapy, sports massage and shiatsu have education routes recognized by CNHC's voluntary register. Its entry standards refer to the discipline's National Occupational Standards and core curriculum, with a separate assessed-experience route. Entirely distance-learning training does not meet CNHC's entry requirements. [1]
Use the register's eligibility guidance when comparing training for that pathway. CNHC registration, local premises requirements and the protected physiotherapy professions answer different questions; a massage qualification does not establish permission to use a protected health-profession title. [2][3][4]
Where qualification is recognised
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council [2][1]
QQI's qualification register helps identify an award's level and size. Body Massage and Figure Analysis (5N3465), for example, is a 15-credit minor award at NFQ Level 5 that can contribute to Beauty Therapy. A minor award is not a complete professional licence or a physiotherapy qualification. [1]
When comparing courses, ask for the full award title, awarding body and module record. For education gained abroad, QQI's NARIC Ireland offers advisory academic comparisons; institutions, employers and competent professional authorities make their own recognition decisions. [2]
Where qualification is recognised
Quality and Qualifications Ireland information [1][2]
Start by distinguishing massage bien-être study from the masseur-kinésithérapeute health-profession route. The French diplôme d'État and eligible foreign professional qualifications belong to the latter; a wellbeing course is not a substitute for that professional education. [1][2][3]
The Ordre explains professional diplomas and recognition. Applicants with eligible European physiotherapy qualifications should identify the competent regional authorization office; the Pays de la Loire DREETS page is a regional example, not a national school directory. [1][4]
Where qualification is recognised
Haute Autorité de Santé — DPC methods and modalities [5][6]
Ordre des masseurs-kinésithérapeutes qualification information [1]
Order guidance and official DPC search destination [7]
Medical massage and wellness training should be compared within their intended professional pathway. Bern's medical-massage requirements name the federal professional certificate and specified recognized equivalents. A private wellness certificate is not automatically equivalent. [1]
The Swiss Red Cross assesses foreign medical-massage qualifications through PreCheck and a recognition application, with additional measures possible. Its published language standard is B2 German, French or Italian. Consult the intended canton as well: diploma recognition does not settle every local practice condition. [2][1][3]
Where qualification is recognised
Federal Office of Public Health health-profession FAQ [4]
Canton of practice and professional register [1][3]
Therapeutic massage education connects to AHPCSA professional registration. SAQA's Registered Therapeutic Massage Therapist designation identifies an underlying NQF Level 6 therapeutic-massage qualification and allows recognition of prior learning. SAQA records the designation; AHPCSA makes the registration decision. [1][2]
Applicants trained abroad should obtain AHPCSA's current application guidance. Its published foreign-qualification policy describes qualification documentation, SAQA evaluation, professional-board review and further examinations for eligible applicants; an overseas certificate does not transfer automatically. [3]
The national training register describes the HLT52021 Diploma of Remedial Massage, including at least 200 hours of work in a simulated clinical environment. Those are a component of this qualification, not its total duration and not CE hours. Use the qualification requirements to ask a provider how its curriculum and clinic work are delivered. [1]
For overseas complementary-health study, VETASSESS provides a non-migration assessment for applicants referred by an association or private health fund. Education, association membership and fund recognition remain separate from state or territory practice rules. [2][3]
Where qualification is recognised
Ahpra CPD standards and registered professions [4]
VETASSESS massage-therapy occupation information [2]
NZQA's New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6) is a 120-credit qualification building on Level 5 Wellness and Relaxation Massage. The register describes its graduate profile and education pathways; credits are not presented here as clock hours. [1]
Use the NZQA record to explore further study and compare a provider's program with the award it says it delivers. Chinese massage (tuina) belongs to a separate regulated Chinese medicine scope; a general wellness or remedial qualification does not establish entry to that scope. [1][2]
For nonmedical TCM wellness institutions covered by the 2023 中医养生保健服务规范（试行）, staff need a relevant TCM background or specialized training, including procedures, risk control and first aid. This learning pathway is tied to the nonmedical service setting; the specification does not authorize medical diagnosis or treatment. [1]
Medical practice follows a different route under the Physicians Law, with professional qualification and practice registration treated separately. Check the professional category and institution with the competent health authority. This mainland source scope should not be extended to other Chinese territories or treated as recognition of a particular school. [2]
Where qualification is recognised
National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine continuing-education information [3]
National/provincial TCM CE project and certificate framework [4]
全国人民代表大会常务委员会 — Standing Committee of the National People's Congress · National statute used for mainland China; Beijing Municipal Health Commission republication. Not extended to Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan.
About this page. Inclusion is not an endorsement, ranking or partnership, and no list here is complete. Recognition and training requirements change — confirm them with the authority that recognises the qualification and with the programme itself before enrolling. This is educational material, not enrollment or legal advice.