Massage Therapist’s Complete Guide to Massage CEUs - Section 9: Cost and Value Massage Therapy CEU Questions

Section 9: Cost and Value Massage Therapy CEU Questions

How much do massage therapy CEUs cost?

The cost of massage therapy CEUs varies depending on the number of hours, course topic, format, provider, and whether the course includes additional materials.

Online self-paced CE courses are often less expensive than attending an in-person seminar because there are no travel, hotel, or classroom expenses.

You may find:

Short 1–3 hour courses at relatively low prices
3–6 hour courses for moderate prices
Larger 10–20+ hour courses or packages at higher prices
State-specific CE packages that combine multiple courses

For example, we offer online massage therapy CE courses in a variety of subjects and hour amounts.

When comparing prices, don't look at the course price alone. Consider the cost per CE hour, provider approval, state acceptance, course quality, certificate, testing requirements, and whether the course satisfies a mandatory requirement.

How much should I expect to pay for massage CEUs?

There is no standard price that every massage therapist should expect to pay.

A better way to compare CEU costs is to look at the price per qualifying CE hour. For example, a $38 course providing 3 CE hours costs roughly $12.66 per CE hour, while a $114 course providing 10 CE hours costs $11.40 per CE hour.

However, the cheapest course isn't necessarily the best value. When comparing courses, consider:

Price per CE hour
Number of hours
State acceptance
Provider approval
Required subjects
Online versus live format
Exam requirements
Certificate availability
Course materials
Customer support

A slightly more expensive course may actually be a better value if it satisfies a mandatory requirement you would otherwise have to take separately. You can compare our courses and prices here.

Are free massage therapy CEUs available?

Free massage therapy CEUs do exist, but they can be more difficult to find, and you should verify that they actually qualify for your license renewal before taking them.

The word "free" does not automatically mean "approved." Before spending time on a free CE course, verify:

Who provides the course
Whether the provider is approved
Whether your state accepts the provider
Whether the course topic qualifies
How many CE hours are awarded
Whether an exam is required
Whether you receive a certificate
Whether the course is current

A free course that your state won't accept isn't really saving you money if you still have to take another course later. For that reason, many massage therapists choose affordable paid CE courses from established providers instead.

Are cheap online massage therapy CEUs legitimate?

Yes. A low-priced CE course can be completely legitimate.

Price alone does not determine whether a continuing education course is legitimate. An inexpensive course can be legitimate if it is offered by a reputable provider, meets the applicable approval requirements, provides the required educational content, and supplies appropriate documentation of completion.

Before purchasing an inexpensive CE course, check:

Provider approval
Does the provider identify its approval organization and provider number?
State acceptance
Does your state accept the provider and course?
Course information
Does the website clearly explain what the course covers and how many CE hours it provides?
Completion requirements
Does the course have an exam or other assessment if required?
Certificate
Will you receive a certificate documenting completion?
Customer support
Can you contact the provider if you have a problem?

For example, our courses are some of the most affordable. We are an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00. We provide course information, testing requirements, and certificates for courses.

The key is not to ask, "Is this CE course cheap?" Ask, "Will my licensing board accept it?"

Are massage therapy CEUs tax deductible?

They may be, but tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances.

According to the IRS, self-employed individuals may be able to deduct qualifying work-related education expenses when the education maintains or improves skills needed in their present work or is required by an employer or the law to maintain their current position. For a self-employed massage therapist, qualifying continuing education may therefore potentially be treated as a business expense.

However, the IRS also places limitations on work-related education. For example, education that qualifies someone for a new trade or business or satisfies the minimum educational requirements for their current trade or business generally does not qualify under these rules.

The IRS also explains that qualifying work-related education expenses for self-employed individuals are generally reported with business expenses, such as on Schedule C.

Keep your receipts. If you believe your CE expenses qualify, keep:

Course receipts
CE certificates
Course descriptions
Provider information
Other related documentation

Tax laws can be complicated, so massage therapists should consult a qualified tax professional about their individual situation.

Can my employer pay for my CEUs?

Yes. Many employers choose to pay for or reimburse employees for continuing education.

Whether your employer will pay for CEUs depends on the employer's policies.

An employer may:

Pay the CE provider directly
Reimburse you after completion
Provide an annual education allowance
Pay for required courses but not elective courses
Pay for certain certifications or specialty training

If you work for a massage clinic, spa, chiropractic office, medical practice, resort, or other employer, ask whether they offer a continuing education or professional development benefit. Ask before you enroll to find out:

Which courses qualify
Whether approval is required in advance
How much the employer will pay
Whether they pay the provider directly
Whether you need to submit a receipt
Whether you need to provide your certificate

If your employer reimburses you, keep documentation showing the reimbursement. Tax treatment can depend on how the payment is structured. The IRS has specific rules regarding employer-provided educational assistance and deductibility of unreimbursed expenses.

Are CEUs worth taking if they aren't required?

Yes. Continuing education can be valuable even when a particular course isn't required for license renewal.

Required CE keeps you compliant, but elective CE can help you develop skills and expand the services you offer. For example, a massage therapist might choose additional education in:

Think beyond license renewal. A good massage therapy CE course can help you:

Improve your clinical knowledge
Learn new techniques
Work with different client populations
Improve client communication
Develop your business
Increase confidence
Expand your professional interests
Keep your knowledge current

Not every valuable course has to be something your state specifically requires.

What are the best affordable massage therapy CEUs?

The best affordable CEUs are courses that combine reasonable pricing, legitimate approval, useful education, and acceptance by your state licensing board.

Rather than simply looking for the lowest price, compare the value you receive for the cost.

For example, if you need an ethics requirement, taking an inexpensive ethics course that satisfies that requirement may be a better value than taking a general course and then having to purchase a separate ethics course.

MassageTherapyCEU.com offers a variety of affordable online massage therapy CE courses, including courses in:

Ethics
Anatomy
Pathology
Massage techniques
Business
Essential oils
Acupressure
Specific health conditions
Professional practice

You can also browse MassageTherapyCEU.com's complete course catalog to compare topics and CE-hour options. Before purchasing a course, ask:

Does my state accept it?
Does it satisfy a requirement I need?
How many CE hours do I receive?
Is the provider properly approved?
Is the course self-paced or live?
Do I receive a certificate?
Does the course provide useful education I can apply to my practice?

If the answer to all seven is yes, you've likely found a much better value than simply choosing the cheapest CE course available.