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Feb 12 2013

Obstacle or Opportunity?

If you were to ask me what is the question I am most often asked regarding certification in reflexology, I would have to say that my response to that question is sometimes viewed as the biggest obstacle to working as a reflexologist. It needn’t be.

The issue has to do with the legalities surrounding the professional practice of reflexology in the United States. In this context, the word “professional” refers to anyone who accepts compensation for his or her work. “Compensation” is defined to include cash, barter, trade, tithe, love offering, donations; i.e. something with monetary value.

Many US states require professionals to hold a state-issued license before accepting any form of compensation for their services. Some jurisdictions exempt reflexology from any licensing laws; some license reflexology as a separate practice. Some allow an individual with a cosmetology license to offer reflexology as part of those services. Since states have different (or no) laws governing the professional practice of reflexology, it is always in your best interest to familiarize yourself with the requirements of your state if you are thinking of practicing reflexology. You don’t want someone from your state Attorney General’s office knocking on your door!

In Florida, where I live and offer the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification, a license is required. One of the government’s primary mandates is to protect the public; therefore, the state tests anyone whose services involve touching the human body (healthcare practitioners, cosmetologists, morticians, etc.) to determine if the applicant’s knowledge and skill level is such to safely operate a business; i.e. to do no harm. The preferred license to practice reflexology in Florida is a massage therapy license.

Florida does allow someone with a cosmetology or nail tech license to offer reflexology. These practitioners are allowed to do that because the scope of their license includes massage of the hands and feet. It’s important to note that in these situations, reflexology can only be offered in conjunction with the nail tech services, not as a stand-alone service. For that, a massage therapy license is required.

The above information – my answer to this frequently asked question – can feel like an obstacle to some people who want to practice just reflexology. I can understand that, and I can add, from personal experience, that certifications in more than one area can work to one’s advantage. Employers love it when they see multiple skills on a resume. The more education you have, the more attractive you are to clients and to a business looking to hire.

I practiced reflexology in Toronto, Ontario without a provincial license. (Canada does not require licensing for reflexology.) When I moved to Florida, I was required to obtain a massage therapy license before I could hang my shingle. Attending the Florida School of Massage was one of the best decisions of my life; both in terms of the knowledge I acquired and the personal growth experience. Without a doubt, everything I learned in my massage and hydrotherapy training supported, and continues to support my reflexology practice.

Some people choose to complete massage training first and then take the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification as advanced training. An equal number do it the other way around, choosing to ease into the field of bodywork by first completing reflexology training (less time commitment, money and complexity). Either way is fine.

Like the local woman who called last week (and the inspiration for this article): someone retired from an unrelated career, but with a lifelong interest in reflexology. Rather than see the requirement for licensure as an obstacle, she got excited. Like me, she has most times been a little less than satisfied with the massage aspect of pedicures, and immediately saw the niche she could create for herself as the nail tech that includes reflexology. Yes! Sign me up! I’ll be her first regular client!

The 2013 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification begins March 21st. Join us!

The Reflexology Association of America posts the most current list of laws for each state on its site.

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Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Foot Reflexology, Hand Reflexology · Tagged: Certification, Business

Comments

  1. John Guinta says

    February 13, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    Great story Karen…I, like the friend you write about, came into reflexology after a career change. And I started with your Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification, which was a great way to come into bodywork. Unlike your friend, I went on to massage school. I found my niche in the yoga community.
    I am really enjoying the challenge of building a clientele.. and steadily my goal comes closer. I wish you new students well and I look forward to class with you again in March in Orange Park.
    Peace,
    John

    Reply
  2. Lesli Ayn says

    January 12, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    I live and am a LMT in Florida. Do the reflexology courses need to be hands on for me to be certified or will an online reflexology course be sufficient? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Karen Ball says

      January 12, 2014 at 4:10 pm

      You’re half way there Lesli, as you must have a massage license in Florida in order to practice reflexology. There is no black and white answer to your question though. The 315-hour credit Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification that I offer is not an online program, although some of the hours are accrued outside the classroom. In total, we spend 25 days in the classroom, meeting five times/year for five days each time. The rest of the hours accumulate from outside assignments. There are schools that do teach their entire program through distance learning, if that’s your choice. When you are selecting a school, keep in mind that should you decide to sit for national certification (become board-certified) or join the national reflexology membership association, you will be required to have earned the majority of your classroom credit in a live setting and to have fulfilled a certain number of hours in certain subject areas. You can learn more about the Academy’s program here. Feel free to call me if you have further questions. I’m happy to help out.

      Reply
  3. Bryan says

    February 17, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    Hello, great site. I will be attending a physical therapy assistant program at seminole state college. It’s a 2 year program, not too sure how many hours that accounts for, but I was just curious where I would stand if I would like to try and get certified in reflexology. I know it’s not a massage therapy certification but I feel the curriculum is similar.

    Thank you in advance for your help,

    Bryan

    Reply
    • Karen Ball says

      February 23, 2014 at 5:37 pm

      Bryan – my apologies for the delay in answering. I only just now saw your post. I’m going to give you the link to the information on the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification. I offer it once every year in Saint Augustine. In Florida, physical therapists can offer reflexology as part of their PT services; not sure about assistants. Are you planning to practice in Florida? http://www.academyofancientreflexology.com/hand-foot-reflexology-certification-program-1.html

      Reply
  4. Bryan says

    February 23, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    Thanks for all the info and yes I do plan to practice in Florida, central florida to be exact.

    Thanks again!

    Reply
  5. teresa says

    July 19, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Ok. I’m from UK, certified in reflexology since 2006/07. I live in Florida I’m a CNA. What would you suggest? I want to get back into reflexology .

    Reply
    • Karen Ball says

      July 19, 2014 at 6:48 pm

      Hi Teresa. You have two options:
      1. If you want to just do reflexology, you will need to get a massage therapy license in order to practice in Florida. That’s a minimum of 500 hours training; takes 6 months if you go to school full-time, 12 if you go evenings. Once you pass your massage license exams, you can practice legally in the state (ie. be compensated for your work).
      2. With your CNA license you can offer reflexology IF IT IS PART OF YOUR CNA SERVICES. You wouldn’t need an additional license to do that. If you want to just offer reflexology as a reflexologist then you need the massage license.

      Reply

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