Pennsylvania Massage Schools

As a prospective student please be sure to ask each school you are looking into what is their pass/fail rates for the last 2 years. It is required in PA that massage schools require this. See § 20.12. Information that must be provided to prospective students. While this does not guarantee the quality of the education, it is a good indicator of such.

 Massage licensing laws in Pennsylvania require 600 hours of education in the following subjects:

§ 20.11. Minimum hour requirements for massage therapy programs.

(a)  Massage therapy programs must provide at least 600 hours of in-class, postsecondary education instruction, including:

(1)  At least 175 contact hours of instruction in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology and pathology, including training in the human immunodeficiency virus and related risks.

(2)  At least 250 contact hours in massage therapy and bodywork assessment, theory and practice including sanitation, safety and hygiene.

(3)  At least 25 contact hours in professional ethics, and business and law related to a massage therapy business.

(4)  At least 150 contact hours in related courses appropriate to a massage therapy curriculum as set forth in §  20.13 (related to required knowledge base), including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(b)  Massage therapy programs may meet the 600-hour requirement through both didactic and clinical courses.

(c)  Externship hours may not be included in the 600-hour minimum education instruction. For purposes of this section, an externship is an offsite practical technique learning experience where the student’s supervision is provided by a licensed massage therapist, supervisor or other appropriate licensed health professional.

(d)  Hours for practicing assigned techniques under indirect supervision may not be included in the 600-hour minimum education instruction.