AMTA Mission and Core Values

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Our Mission

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is the largest non-profit, professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and massage schools, with more than 56,000 members.

AMTA provides our members with the strongest benefits in the profession. We promote massage to the public, the healthcare community, and other important groups. We work for fair licensing of massage in all states, and actively support research. Your voice is heard in AMTA as we are governed by massage therapists. And, we provide a wealth of local and national networking and continuing education opportunities.

Mission Statement: To serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy.

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Core Values

  • We are a diverse, inclusive and nurturing community working with integrity, respect and dignity.

  • We are a nonprofit member-driven organization of ethical professionals.

  • We embrace consistency in education.

  • We endorse professional standards.

  • We affirm and promote the benefits of massage therapy as validated by research.

A group of five women standing close together, smiling, in front of a blue backdrop with yellow text and logos for the American Massage Therapy Association Wisconsin Chapter.

Chapter Leadership

Meet the Wisconsin Chapter Leadership Team

Find them here

History of AMTA-WI

AMTA began in August 1943 with 29 Charter members. AMTA Wisconsin Chapter began May 1, 1955 with 14 charter members.

Requirements To Become a Massage Therapist

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Requirements To Become a Massage Therapist *

    • Complete an approved, minimum 600-hour massage therapy or bodywork therapy program.

    • Complete the application form 2960 at this link: http://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/Credentialing%20Forms/Health%20Application%20Forms/fm2960.pdf

    • Pay the fee

    • Demonstrate proof of professional liability insurance (which is included in your AMTA membership).

    • Become CPR certified

    • Pass a nationally administered, entry-level competency exam accepted by the board.

    • Pass a state exam on massage and bodywork laws and regulations.

  • Yes, if you reside in the State of Wisconsin you automatically become a Wisconsin Chapter member.

  • Yes. Wisconsin law includes practice protection for massage therapy and bodywork therapy. Individuals who provide massage or bodywork services must hold a valid license, regardless of the title they use to describe their work. If the services being provided fall within the scope of massage therapy or bodywork therapy as defined by state law, a license is required.

  • Licensed Massage Therapists and Bodywork Therapists in Wisconsin are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. Of those 24 hours, at least 2 hours must be in ethics. These requirements do not apply during the initial licensure period or the first license renewal.

    Acceptable continuing education must relate to the scope of practice of massage therapy and bodywork therapy or to professional business practices. Approved CE activities may include in-person classes, online courses, distance learning, audiovisual programs, audio recordings, and professional literature review, provided they are offered or approved by an accepted CE provider.

    AMTA National and AMTA-Wisconsin Chapter continuing education programs qualify toward Wisconsin's CE requirements. Other approved providers include accredited massage therapy schools, institutions of higher education, and recognized professional organizations such as NCBTMB and FSMTB.

    For complete details on Wisconsin continuing education requirements and approved providers, review Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter MTBT 7 and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) continuing education information.

  • It can be any course from the APPROVED provider list below that certifies you in CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator. Note that many of these providers offer blended learning, meaning that you can do part of the course online and then have your hands-on skills tested by a certified instructor.

    An important detail about the CPR requirement: you do not need a course that is specifically for healthcare professionals, just one that gives you certification in the use of an AED.

    Here is the official language from the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, also available at: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/License_certification/CPR.htm

    The following are the department-approved providers:

    • American Heart Association

    • American Red Cross

    • American Safety and Health Institute (includes Medic First Aid)

    • Emergency Care and Safety Institute – (AAOS)

    • Emergency University – (CPR Pro Course)

    • EMS Safety Services

    • National Safety Council

    • ProTrainings, LLC

    • T-E-A-M CPR & AED

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.