If you practice Chinese massage in a state that excludes Chinese massage from massage licensing or you are in a state that doesn’t require licensing for massage therapists, you might be wondering if you can still get liability insurance. The good news is, yes, you can. Some massage insurance providers offer policies that don’t require you to hold a license (if no license is required for your modality by your state), making it easier for practitioners themselves and their business.
So, whether you learned through apprenticeship or self-study, this article will show you the providers that can meet your needs.
Affiliate Disclosure for Chinese Massage Liability Insurance
The links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a payment if you purchase through one of them. This does not affect the price you pay for a massage insurance policy. I appreciate your support – it helps me continue writing articles and creating resources for massage therapists like you.
Why Do You Need Chinese Massage Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance protects you against claims of injury or damage during your massage sessions. It provides peace of mind, ensures your practice complies with professional standards, and builds trust with clients.
Insurance Providers for Unlicensed Chinese Massage Practitioners
Some insurance providers base their requirements solely on state and local government regulations. If your state doesn’t have massage licensing or if your state excludes Chinese massage from massage licensing, these providers (who respect the diversity of learning pathways) don’t require additional proof of training or certification, making them ideal for practitioners who learned through apprenticeships and community-based training:
| Insurance Provider | Training Verification Required Without State Licensing? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| InsureLMT | No | Does not require proof of training or certification without state licensing. |
| Massage Magazine Insurance Plus (MMIP) | No | Follows state regulations only; no additional training verification required. |
| Hands On Trade Association | No | No training or certification proof is needed if the state does not mandate licensing. |
| Alternative Balance | No | Does not require proof of training or certification in states without licensing requirements. |
Best Insurance for Chinese Massage Practitioners
So, if you are a Chinese massage practitioner in a state without licensing requirements, you still have options for liability insurance. Massage Magazine Insurance Plus (MMIP) stands out because they show a solid commitment to practitioners who learned their craft through non-standardized ways as evidenced by their web page dedicated to Chinese massage liability insurance.
That said, you should look at all the providers who don’t require proof of training for unlicensed practitioners. Here are the other three: InsureLMT, Hands On Trade Association, Alternative Balance,
Also, if you want to compare the coverage and pricing of these four insurance providers, I wrote a massage insurance guide, that is easy to read.
In addition to following state laws regulating massage, insurance providers follow local laws, too. Make sure that the county or town you live in doesn’t have training or certification requirements for Chinese massage.
Last, make sure what you practice and what the state excludes from massage therapy licensing match. For example, Pennsylvania excludes “Asian Bodywork Therapy” from massage licensing, but does not mention “Chinese massage”. Therefore, unless “Chinese massage” falls under the excluded category of “Asian Bodywork Therapy”, it would not be exempt from licensing.
So, in the case of Pennsylvania licensing, read their definition of “Asian Bodywork Therapy” and make sure what you are practicing and how you present your service matches the definition. If you have questions, contact your state massage licensing board.
Mark Liskey: My Massage Insurance Mission
I’m here to help you thrive as a massage therapist. In this case, I’m here to help you find the best insurance coverage for your practice. For any questions or additional help, feel free to contact me at mark@makethemostofmassage.com or contact the insurance provider directly.
And if you found this article helpful, please share it. Sharing is the primary way that we can help more practitioners. Thank you.
