Here are answers to the most common questions we receive. Please feel free to contact us directly with additional questions regarding the massage therapy program at Sarasota School of Massage Therapy.
Yes, SSMT has been committed exclusively to massage therapy education since its founding in 1978.
Yes, SSMT has been continuously accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) since 1994, and was the first dedicated massage therapy school to be so. National accreditation indicates that a school has met standards in every area of its operation, including curriculum, student services, finances, and many others.
Yes, students from outside Florida can attend the program. The training prepares graduates for Florida licensure, and additional requirements may apply if students plan to practice in another state.
Yes, because SSMT is nationally accredited and approved by the US Department of Education, students who qualify may receive federal grants and or loans. In addition, SSMT makes several other forms of aid available to students, including the SSMT need-based scholarship.
A Massage Therapy License issued by the Florida Department of Health is required to practice massage therapy for compensation in Florida. Applicants for licensure must graduate from a Board Approved School and pass a licensing exam. Most states have similar education requirements and utilize the same exam.
The massage therapy program at Sarasota School of Massage Therapy is designed to be completed in approximately 7 months, depending on the student’s schedule
The state of Florida requires completion of a massage therapy program of at least 500 hours as a requirement for licensure, as evidence that a candidate has the minimum competency required to practice massage therapy without causing harm. At SSMT our goal is not minimum competency, but excellence. We aim to graduate people prepared to succeed as professionals, and have crafted a program carefully designed to provide the training necessary for success.
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork requires at least 750 hours of training to confer it’s voluntary credential of Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Graduates of the 750 hour program are more than qualified for this credential as well.
Yes, the program includes preparation for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), which is required for licensure as a massage therapist in Florida.
SSMT graduates have an extremely high pass rate on the exam. SSMT graduates have an extremely high pass rate on the exam. For past 13 years the rate has been between 91% and 100% every year.
Yes, the cost of the licensing exam and the $155 Florida licensure fee are included in the program tuition, as outlined on the program page.
There is currently a strong need for massage therapists both locally and nationally. Employers are concerned that there are not enough LMT’s to meet demand. The US Department of Labor Statistics predicts that the job market for massage therapists will continue to grow much faster than most jobs through at least 2028.
Yes, SSMT offers ongoing job placement assistance. We have relationships with many employers, who look to SSMT for their staffing needs.
What makes a great massage therapy school is the same thing that makes a great massage therapist. The secret is simple: we pay attention. Our faculty collectively has more than 500 years experience practicing massage therapy, and we have identified the skills and knowledge that distinguish the most successful bodyworkers.
We operate a single program at a single location and provide the personal attention needed to succeed. We love our work, both as bodyworkers and educators and our students tell us it shows.
A tour is the best way to get a feel for the school to decide if it’s right for you. An admissions guide can show you around the facility, with its cork floors, high ceilings and skylights. We can also help you with applying for federal student aid so that you’ll know if you qualify for grants and/or loans, and you can sit in on a class to get a feel for what it would be like to be a student here.
The school periodically holds open houses and other discovery events which are great opportunities to hear the answers to all the questions other people have and visit with staff, graduates, and students.
Walk-ins are welcome but it’s helpful to call ahead to ensure that an admissions guide will be available with time to answer all your questions.
Call 941-957-0577 to schedule a tour.
SSMT operates three massage therapy clinics. In the Swedish Massage Student Clinic you can receive a 50 minute full body massage for relaxation and wellness. In the Advanced Student Clinic you can receive a series of sessions over several weeks with the same student, with a focus on a particular physical issue. In the SSMT Professional Clinic you can receive massage from a licensed graduate or instructor. You can call 941-957-0577 to get more information or book an appointment.
SSMT transcripts are available without charge to all graduates. Click here to request a copy of your transcript.
SSMT students practice on each other in class, and on friends and family at home. The only place to receive massage by a student is in the SSMT Student Clinic.
