Hiring licensed masseurs vs. non-licensed

[Ali Gator]

I'm curious how many clients ask their masseur - whether local or traveling - if they are 'licensed', and whether the response of 'no' is a deal-breaker for you ?  

I must say, the number of masseurs I've encountered over the past 20+ years who actually are licensed is very low. Very, very low. Most have told me they have gotten their schooling and (maybe) once had a license, but have let their license lapse due to a variety of reasons (mostly financial - I've been told it's rather expensive to renew each year or two years by both the local guys and travelers). Many have said having proper training is more important to their clients than having the license, so they've never gone for their license. I'm one of those clients - I'd rather they were familiar with different styles and pressures and how to work on the male body than seeing a framed piece of paper on the wall.

And has any traveling masseur ever pulled his license out of his suitcase to show he is licensed from his state when asked ? Not to mention a valid license in one state may not be recognized as valid in your state, since these are 'state' licenses issued (not federal) and each state has their own parameters for licensing via their state health department (as with many other professions) - but that's a whole other topic. 

In my experiences, they're all very upfront about it. I will ask if they're a 'trained, licensed massage therapist' in my first chat with them and they will tell me they are trained (and how many hours of schooling) but have never taken the next step to get their license. Or they say they trained for 'x' amount of hours with a licensed masseur, or they are self-trained (no formal education) - in both cases, no license. 

 I think we all see more unlicensed masseurs than licensed. I'm curious about others hiring habits - do most guys even ask when hiring off of RentMasseur or MF ?  And if the ad describes them as 'LMT', do you ever ask if their license is current ?  

Edited July 16 by Ali Gator

[MassageCommunityMember]

Sometimes my providers will have the license posted on the wall.  I'll give an unlicensed person a chance if others say they are good or if they have years of experience.  You can usually look up a license and whether it is current. 

[Himposium]

I regularly see three masseurs who aren’t licensed, and I’ve had nothing but great experiences. Why? Because I curate the session by speaking up about what I want and where I need the work. Just lying there in silence and then leaving a lukewarm review? That’s on the client, not the masseur.

If your masseur is working your calves or thighs—let them. And when they hit the perfect rhythm, like playing the fiddle just right, say something. Tell them, “Keep doing that, I love it.” Don’t let them move on until you’re ready. That’s just common sense—and no license can substitute for clear communication.

I see a lot of hate directed at masseurs here, but honestly, most of it comes from clients who don’t speak up. From the masseur’s side, they’re considering things like whether you’re on blood thinners, if you bruise easily, or if going deep into your glutes might trigger a sciatic flare-up.

Bottom line: if you want a great massage, be present and vocal throughout the session. That’s how you get exactly what you came for.

Edited July 17 by gulper

[+ Jamie21]

3 hours ago, gulper said:

Bottom line: if you want a great massage, be present and vocal throughout the session. That’s how you get exactly what you came for.

Yes I agree with this. It’s great when I get a responsive client. They don’t need to speak, just respond with positive reactions to what I’m doing. It’s especially noticeable when I start with some head massage and I can see their body relax and hear that long out breath as all the tension leaves them. As a masseur you get used to seeing the signs, they don’t need to be overt (indeed it sometimes feels performative if the client is writhing around and exclaiming pleasure at every touch), subtle almost subconscious indications are all I need to know that what  I’m doing is working. And then of course when he turns over the bodily signals are rather more obvious 😉. 

[Nightowl]

I usually look for some statement of extensive training in an MF or RMass ad but don’t get particularly concerned if they don’t have a license.  I’ve had enough therapeutic massages from excellent masseurs/masseuses at health and wellness clinics to recognize when the person working on me doesn’t know what they’re doing. If the guy lied about his experience on MF or RMass, I’ll know very quickly.  I won’t hire him again if a good massage is what I’m looking for.  

[LookingAround]

You expect a masseur who's basically a sex worker to be licensed? lol 

[Himposium]

Responding to LookingAround — The rules we’re expected to follow here in the U.S. are absurd. Masseurs should be licensed and allowed to offer escort services if they choose. Instead, the attractive men providing our massages are forced to operate in the shadows to offer anything beyond a rub. We celebrate gay pride every year, yet where is that same energy when it comes to standing up for masseurs who also choose to be escorts? It’s because too many people here are cowards—quick to shame sex workers while secretly drooling over who to book next.

[LookingAround]

Should isn't what we are talking about. 
People on RM aren't licensed. At least 99.5% of them. I always get a chuckle when people expect them to be licensed. If you want a licensed masseur, go to a spa or a legitimate masseur, but not someone on rentmasseur lol

[+ sniper]

I wouldn't generally make a distinction between someone who currently holds a license and someone who had one but let it lapse, assuming they were still working. I would think keeping your license in most states just means you paid a fee. It's not like your knowledge disappears when that happens. 

[Himposium]

Ah, a data collector, I see—down to the point five percent! Impressive. Trust the man with spreadsheets on rent boys. My apologies for disturbing your pre-coffee, pre-bowel-movement routine. May your morning scroll be smooth, your judgments sharp, and your fiber intake sufficient. Have a glorious day!

[+ sniper]

7 minutes ago, gulper said:

Responding to LookingAround — The rules we’re expected to follow here in the U.S. are absurd. Masseurs should be licensed and allowed to offer escort services if they choose. Instead, the attractive men providing our massages are forced to operate in the shadows to offer anything beyond a rub. We celebrate gay pride every year, yet where is that same energy when it comes to standing up for masseurs who also choose to be escorts? It’s because too many people here are cowards—quick to shame sex workers while secretly drooling over who to book next.

I think it's less about clients not standing up for them than that the majority of the population seems to be opposed to legalizing sex work in the U.S. Especially now that there is a professional class of "activists" who label any and all sex work "trafficking" which connotes coercion and assault. 

[Himposium]

Thank you, Sniper, for keeping this a gentleman’s conversation. When I said "here," I was referring to the U.S.—I can see how that may have come across differently. That’s on me for not being clearer.

[LookingAround]

7 minutes ago, gulper said:

Ah, a data collector, I see—down to the point five percent! Impressive. Trust the man with spreadsheets on rent boys. My apologies for disturbing your pre-coffee, pre-bowel-movement routine. May your morning scroll be smooth, your judgments sharp, and your fiber intake sufficient. Have a glorious day!

Do you think your point will be made by denigrating me? Your point is not more glorious by obfuscation or insulting me. The fact that you feel you have to insult me shows how thin your argument is. 

[Simon Suraci]

17 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

Not to mention a valid license in one state may not be recognized as valid in your state, since these are 'state' licenses issued (not federal) and each state has their own parameters for licensing

Great point. It’s impractical to maintain a license in every state to which one travels. I may only work for a week in New York once a year, or once every other year. Hardly worth maintaining a license. Same situation for a dozen other states in my case.

[Ali Gator]

12 hours ago, sniper said:

I wouldn't generally make a distinction between someone who currently holds a license and someone who had one but let it lapse, assuming they were still working. I would think keeping your license in most states just means you paid a fee. It's not like your knowledge disappears when that happens. 

I know a few licensed (or lapsed-licensed) masseurs in my area. They say you can renew once (for 2 years, I believe) then you need to take 'refresher' classes (which costs more money) before you can renew your license (more money). Rinse and repeat.  It's not like renewing your driver's license. It gets expensive, and when it's a slow period and you don't have extra money to spend - you let your license lapse.

[starman05]

I've gone to licensed therapists that have been disastrous FOR ME due to chemistry or the pressure's too deep or not deep enough.

And I've gone to non licensed therapists who know their stuff and we hit it off.

Generally, I prefer therapists with official training/licenses

 

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

16 hours ago, sniper said:

Especially now that there is a professional class of "activists" who label any and all sex work "trafficking" which connotes coercion and assault. 

This 👆 💯.  

As for licenses, I wish the government spent more time and effort enforcing driving without a license instead of rubbing someone's glutes without a license.