Massage Therapist: resume screening criteria template

Great massage therapists combine technical skill with genuine care for client wellbeing. Look for evidence of specialized training beyond basic certification (sports massage, prenatal, deep tissue), a track record of client retention or repeat bookings, and familiarity with intake procedures and contraindications. The best candidates describe specific techniques they use for common complaints and show they understand when NOT to massage someone.

The biggest screening mistake is hiring based on personality alone without verifying hands-on competency and current licensure. Warm people skills matter, but someone who can't demonstrate proper body mechanics, doesn't maintain their license, or lacks liability insurance creates serious risk. A second mistake is overlooking red flags around boundaries: therapists who don't mention draping protocols, intake forms, or professional distance may not understand the ethical standards that protect both clients and your business.

One click loads this rubric and an editable job-post draft into SiftFirst: adjust them to your reality, add the resumes, and every applicant is scored with quoted evidence.

The criteria (6)

Current licensure and insurance

weight 10/10

Active state massage therapy license and current liability insurance are non-negotiable legal requirements. Verify the license is in good standing with no disciplinary actions.

Strong evidence: Resume lists license number and expiration date, mentions liability insurance coverage, may reference continuing education hours completed for renewal

Red flag: No license number provided, expired license, gaps in licensure, or vague language like 'certification in progress' - these indicate someone who cannot legally practice

Specialized training beyond basics

weight 9/10

Strong therapists pursue additional certifications in specific modalities. This shows commitment to the profession and ability to serve diverse client needs.

Strong evidence: Lists specific advanced certifications like 'Certified Sports Massage Therapist,' 'Prenatal Massage Certified,' 'Myofascial Release Level 2,' or 'Oncology Massage Trained' with issuing organizations and dates

Red flag: Only lists the initial massage school graduation with no additional training, or claims expertise in 10+ modalities without any supporting certifications (suggests superficial knowledge)

Client retention and relationship building

weight 8/10

The ability to build a repeat client base is the clearest predictor of quality and professionalism. Look for evidence they kept clients coming back.

Strong evidence: Mentions 'maintained 80% client retention rate,' 'built personal book of 40+ regular clients,' 'averaged 15 repeat bookings per week,' or 'clients followed me from previous location'

Red flag: Frequent job changes (every 6-12 months) with no explanation, or resume focuses only on tasks performed rather than client outcomes or relationships built

Understanding of intake and contraindications

weight 7/10

Safe practice requires knowing when NOT to massage. Therapists should demonstrate they conduct proper health screenings and recognize red flags.

Strong evidence: Resume mentions 'conducted client intake assessments,' 'maintained SOAP notes,' 'identified contraindications and referred to physicians when appropriate,' or 'screened for DVT, infections, and other conditions'

Red flag: No mention of intake procedures, health screening, or documentation - suggests they may skip critical safety steps or don't understand scope of practice

Relevant experience volume

weight 6/10

Hands-on hours matter more than years. Someone who worked part-time for three years may have less experience than someone who worked full-time for one year.

Strong evidence: Quantifies experience like '2,000+ client sessions completed,' 'averaged 20 sessions per week,' or '18 months full-time in high-volume spa (25+ massages/week)'

Red flag: Vague timeframes like 'some experience' or 'occasional massage work,' or someone who graduated years ago but shows minimal hands-on practice (suggests they may have lost skills or confidence)

Professional boundaries and ethics

weight 5/10

Massage therapy requires strict professional boundaries. Look for language showing they understand draping, consent, and appropriate client relationships.

Strong evidence: Mentions 'maintained professional draping standards,' 'obtained informed consent before sessions,' 'adhered to NCBTMB code of ethics,' or 'completed boundaries and ethics training'

Red flag: Overly casual language about client relationships, no mention of professional standards, or anything suggesting they socialize with clients outside work (blurred boundaries create liability)

How to use this template

Adjust the weights to your reality: every business weighs these differently.
Score every applicant against the same criteria, and write down the evidence (a quoted line from the resume) behind each score, not a gut feeling.
Rank by the weighted total and review the top 10-15 in full. Consistent criteria plus recorded evidence is also what makes your process defensible.

Or skip the spreadsheet: the button above loads this rubric into SiftFirst, which scores the whole pile for you with a quote behind every score. Free, no signup.

FAQ

Should I require a working interview where they demonstrate their massage technique?

Yes, absolutely. Schedule a 30-minute practical demonstration where the finalist performs massage on you or a volunteer. Pay them for this time. You're evaluating pressure calibration, body mechanics, draping professionalism, and communication (do they check in about pressure?). This reveals far more than any interview question. Someone can talk a great game but have poor table-side manner or use body mechanics that will lead to injury. If they hesitate or refuse a practical demo, that's a red flag.

How do I verify their license is actually active and in good standing?

Go directly to your state's massage therapy board website and use their license lookup tool (every state has one). Enter the license number from their resume. You'll see the status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. Do this before the interview. If the license doesn't appear, is expired, or shows discipline, end the process immediately. Also ask for a photo of their current liability insurance card and call the insurance company to verify coverage. These two verifications take 10 minutes and prevent catastrophic legal problems.

What if someone has great credentials but has moved between jobs every 8-12 months?

Ask directly: 'I see you've had four positions in three years. Walk me through those transitions.' Listen for whether they left on good terms and why. Frequent moves in massage therapy often signal interpersonal issues, boundary problems with clients, or inability to build a client base. However, legitimate reasons exist: spouse relocation, spa closures, seeking better commission splits. If they blame every employer or speak negatively about past clients, that's your answer. If they left to pursue specialized training or better opportunities and can provide references from each position, that's different. Always call at least two previous employers.