Massage therapy license

3POSTS

8 years ago

Hi . My name is Meagan. I'm a licensed massage therapist in Las Vegas. I have a business opportunity in DR . Can someone tell me if there is any licensing requirement to be a massage therapist or do they recognise licensing from the US? I can't seem to find any I formation on requirements for a Professional Massage Therapist. Any help would be great!

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

8 years ago

Welcome to the forums. I have never been able to get a cleAr answer to that either. I know massage therapists from several countries who call themselves professional or registered massage therapists. Not sure of their actual status here.

Itsmissmeagan Member

3POSTS

8 years ago

thank you so much for the responses! Yes those have been my findings as well. Everyone who claims "professional" all have licenses from either Canada or US so I am assuming there is no true licensing. I am waiting on one person who may have more info. As soon as I hear I will let you know!

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Itsmissmeagan Member

3POSTS

8 years ago

Thank you! Yes I saw her website and she mentions all of her credentials, so I'm assuming if she has any training or certifications based in DR she would have noted them. I'll let you know anything I hear! Are you living in DR?

1 member reacted to this post

PARADISECAT Serial expat

652POSTS

8 years ago

I’m in the U.S. at this moment. I go back and forth, will be there again in the next few months

Please be sure to keep us posted. Are you planning on getting your Dominican residency or starting a business of your own. You will require residency to work legally or a work visa, which I hear are pretty hard to get, but if you have the chance to live and work while earning a comfy salary, then by all means go for it.

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thecolonel Banned

558POSTS

8 years ago

Ive know a lot of people who have gotten massages, including me, and lots of babes who do massages, but have never even heard of anybody metion whether they were credentialed. Same goes for: hair dressers, barbers, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, contractors. Thats just the short list.

3 members reacted to this post

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

8 years ago

So true!!!

the tinker40 ViP

1236POSTS

8 years ago

Get your butt here! We need a professional here, more of them in fact. We have a surplus of the happy ending types. At least at Passions, you got a decent massage plus. The plus is not necessary, the therapetic (sp) massage is. You should do well here among us old fogys. Welcome & good wishes for you.

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

6 years ago

#10

And here a " certificate" can mean a 10 hour course. There are almost no requirements here.

jdjonesdr Contributor

173POSTS

6 years ago

#11

FWIW, INFOTEP offers certification in Massage therapy. I know a few women who have taken the courses and received the certification.

They do not offer happy ending massages.

I would think there would be a healthy demand for professionals here.

What may shock some of them are the salaries offered.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

6 years ago

#12

And here a " certificate" can mean a 10 hour course. There are almost no requirements here.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

6 years ago

#13

Other certs JD. People need to check the "qualificatuins" closely

DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

6 years ago

#14

There are very good therapeutic massage therapists in the PC area but most work at the resorts. To find one outside of the resorts is difficult. The price you pay per hour depends upon the location, regularity and type of massage. Relaxation vs deep tissue therapy. There are no happy endings with a registered massage therapist. The therapists I use on a regular basis exceed the skills (from school and experience, here in the DR) of any therapist I have had in Canada. My opinion is based upon 24 years of experience never having less than 1 1/2 hours of deep tissue therapy every other week. Getting your license here is not the issue. Giving a good massage for the right price and building your client base is the issue. Consider starting at $20US per hour if you are skilled. If you are not your business will end quickly. Again, I live in the PC (tourist) area so other areas may be different.

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

6 years ago

#15

I am still looking for a great therapist here in Santo Domingo!

DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

6 years ago

#16

It is very difficult. They are hidden secrets. When you find one, you are blessed.

amyssavic Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#17

I would love to know the steps to take to get certified in the Dominican to become a massage therapist. I have training here in NY which requires 1200 hours of training. I ran a very successful business here until covid hit. My boyfriend and I want to retire in the Dominican and well retirement for me sounds more like boredom so while he lounges around I would love to stay actively working for a while

2VPsoldier Serial expat

553POSTS

3 years ago

#18

My sister-in-law, from Moca, living and working in Red Deer Alberta for the past 11 years, has been doing massage therapy for about four years as she took/takes all the schooling for her license . She plans to have her own MT biz here in Moca. I haven't tried her services as the company where she works is not registered with Veterans Affairs. She has her own busness and once her final exam is passed, she will register with VAC. She has not found any licensing requirements for Massage Therapists in Moca. Those who use such services are likely the more well-to-do, in non-tourist regions, vice what is seen in North America or Europe where many "ordinary" folk use this service as it is supported by company or private insurance. From previous threads, I recall reading a distinct lack of regulatory lines for MTs. In any case, asd Mike says, finding a good/great therapist is key.....so if you become very good and locate in an that will recognize/accept/use such service then your name will spread without advertising....I'm sure you know how it works. Good luck. (note: she is going to keep her business registered in Canada and report as foreign income - if she registers with the Cdn VAC, she can still bill them. Depending on your location, this service may be possible the same way for the many US Veterans living/visiting the DR)

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

3 years ago

#19

It is common here to do a 40 hour course and call yourself a massage therapist! There is no requirement for courses or testing.

It is easy to get a massage here and difficult to get a therapeutic massage from someone truly qualified.

I do expect this will change.

Karin1 Serial expat

354POSTS

3 years ago

#20

@DominicanadaMike

Hi Mike

I live in the same area as you although not permanently. Can you send me the contact info for one or two of your massage therapist's? I have had trouble finding a good one, as you say, hard to find.

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

1950POSTS

3 years ago

#21

I know for a fact that the most highly recommended massage therapist in Las Terrenas is self-taught from online "studies" and YouTube videos. She might be great at giving a nice, relaxing massage on the beach, but there is no way I'd go to anyone without proof of training. I've had back, shoulder, and neck issues and don't want to let some hack make it worse.

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polo1club Serial expat

200POSTS

3 years ago

#22

@planner My wife uses a lady MT at Dr. Vetura's office in SD. She raves about her and how therapeutic it is. Its a bit pricey for me but she thinks they do an excellent job. C. Tetelo Vargas 26, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 809-654-8888. Also just about everyone in there speaks English. Just in case anyone is looking for a lead.

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

3 years ago

#23

Thanks, I appreciate the referral!

1 member reacted to this post

Tippj Serial expat

615POSTS

3 years ago

#24

@polo1club

If your wife says they do a great job then they do a great job …. Priceless

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DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

3 years ago

#25

@Karen1: I sent you a private message...cheers

1 member reacted to this post

Candy C Member

1POSTS

3 years ago

#26

Hi,

I am looking into buying a small apartment in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Does anyone have information on becoming licensed in the Dominican Republic. I am licensed as a Registered Massage Therapist in Canada.

Thanks!

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

3 years ago

#27

There is no licensing for this here.

janinecrenshaw Member

20POSTS

3 years ago

#28

@Candy C I have an apartment I'm selling it's less than year old 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms if you would like to see it I have pictures also ***** but I don't have property in Punta cana

Moderated by Mickael 3 years ago
Reason : Do not publish your public data here. You can send it on private message
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct

janinecrenshaw Member

20POSTS

3 years ago

#29

@amyssavic Hey I can find out for you because there is a Va clinic in the Dominican Republic also women there are also massage therapist that work on my back all the time I can ask them

DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

3 years ago

#30

Hi Candy. I sent you a PM.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

3 years ago

#31

We do not permit sharing of personal contact information on an open forum. We also invite you to place a classified as for your apartment!

parvejmaster Member

2POSTS

3 years ago

#32

I stumbled upon this thread while searching for licensing info myself. I'm new to this forum, so apologies for reviving an old thread. Your sister-in-law's journey sounds interesting.

parvejmaster Member

2POSTS

3 years ago

#33

I stumbled upon this thread while searching for licensing info myself. I'm new to this forum, so apologies for reviving an old thread. Your sister-in-law's journey sounds interesting.
-@parvejmaster

It seems like licensing requirements for massage therapists in Moca might not be as strict as in North America or Europe. Finding a good therapist is crucial, and word-of-mouth can be a powerful way to spread your name. By the way, I recently found some useful info about filler treatments on the *deleted)

**** Please stay on topic. Filler treatments are not DR Related nor is the website***

nicodoesdr New member

5POSTS

3 years ago

#34

@DominicanadaMike did you mean to say $20 an hour? Meaning dollars? I’m not being sarcastic, I’m just stunned of that is the going rate. I am a liscenxed massage therapist in the US and I own 2 boutique style mini-spas. I have been toying with the idea of opening a space in DR. I am stunned if those are the rates and many need to drop the dream of opening there. My current clientele pays 120-140 for an hour massage (which is less than the larger spas here.) Please advise & Thank you!

Oscarsahony Sanchez Contributor

190POSTS

3 years ago

#35

non, she meant pesos lol

now she is for a hook lol, did not specified lol

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17780POSTS

3 years ago

#36

The going rate currently in Santo Domingo:

A massage in my house, relaxation, 1.5 hours = US 30

A massage in my house deep tissue work 1.5 hours = US 40 to 45

I had a massage last week so I know the rates currently.

Spa or resort massages are very different. Last resort massage for 1.5 hours, relaxation was US 90 and it was NOT very good.

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DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

3 years ago

#37

The location will dictate the fee.

You can check this link: https://www.salaryexplorer.com/average- … st-c61j366 This will give you an understanding of the fee structure.

If you are an independent, have your own business, your own clientele, then you can do better.

There are many good therapists here (Punta cana - veron area) working for 1000-1500 pesos for a 1 hour massage. As a regular client from my home the price can be less.

If you go to a higher end area, cap cana for example, the people there are paying more but then if you don't live there you have to consider more expenses like travel.

1 member reacted to this post

nicodoesdr New member

5POSTS

3 years ago

#38

@planner thank you. Very helpful information & clarity!

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The Dominican Republic expat guide

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nicodoesdr New member

5POSTS

3 years ago

#39

@DominicanadaMike ok, I’m very appreciative and I’ll check this out. thank you so much. This will help me manage my expectations and plans. Very helpful & clear information.

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