To practice massage therapy in Illinois, licensure is required. Following the completion of two semesters, graduates of this program will have received over 560 hours of instruction and clinical experience. Exceeding the required 500 hours of instruction required by Illinois, students will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Massage, recognized by 36 states, including Illinois. . A.S.I.S. graduates have a 90 percent pass rate, well over the national average. Cost of the exam is $225. The examination fee is in addition to the program costs.

Graduates must pass the exam before becoming eligible to apply to the Illinois Massage Board to become licensed therapists in this state. There is an additional $175 fee to become licensed in Illinois and licensed massage therapists will have to take 24 hours of continuing education courses every other year to maintain their licensure status.

The Illinois Massage Board mandates criminal background investigations of candidates for licensure. Contact the Illinois Massage Board at 217-785-0800 for more information. In general, a positive finding related to felony convictions may severely limit clinical placements and/or job opportunities in the field.

Note: Applicants for licensure in the State of Illinois must be 18 years of age and of good moral character and be able to pass a criminal background check.