A massage license is required in Wisconsin to practice massage therapy and bodywork. No one can call themselves a massage therapist or bodywork therapist or masseur or masseuse, or use or assume the title “massage therapist and bodywork therapist” or “massage therapist” or “bodywork therapist” or “masseur” or “masseuse” or any title that includes “massage therapist,” “bodywork therapist,” or “bodyworker,” or append to the person’s name the letters “M.T.,”“R.M.T.,” “L.M.T.,” “C.M.T.,” “B.T.,” “B.W.,” “L.B.W.,” “R.B.W.,” or “C.B.W.,” or use any other title or designation that represents or may tend to represent that he or she is licensed under this chapter, unless the person is licensed under this chapter460.02 (PDF) License required. Except as provided in s. 460.03. You will find the massage therapists licensing hanging on the wall of their office or you can double check online to verify their massage license.
“Massage therapy or bodywork therapy” in Wisconsin, means the science and healing art that uses manual actions and adjunctive therapies to palpate and manipulate the soft tissue of the human body, in order to improve circulation, reduce tension, relieve soft tissue pain, or increase flexibility. Massage therapy or bodywork therapy includes determining whether manual actions and adjunctive therapies are appropriate. Massage therapy or bodywork therapy does not include making a medical, physical therapy, or chiropractic diagnosis.
Your massage therapist will attend massage school, pass an exam and obtain a massage license. They also will provide a document for you to sign informing you of the risks and benefits of receiving a massage therapy session from them. You can at any time withdraw your consent before your massage is completed. (If you feel unsafe or that they are not listening to you.)
Department of Safety and Professional Services
Board of Massage Therapy
4822 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI 53705
