Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/142672
the value of continuing education By Laura Allen Continuing education (CE) is one of those topics that divides our profession. Some therapists view it as a financial burden and an infringement on their time. Others can't wait to take the newest class. I'm part of the latter group; I always wind up with more hours than I need. Most states require 12–24 CE hours for each license renewal; a few don't require any hours at all. Some states allow home study and distance learning, even for hands-on credit, while others don't. It can be a confusing state of affairs to the average massage therapist. One thing is certain: CE is an expense, albeit a tax-deductible one. In most states, there are plenty of CE providers and opportunities to take classes. For those therapists who live and work in more remote areas of the country, it may be more of a challenge to find a class that interests you. Interests is the key word there. Seek out classes that you actually have an interest in, and classes that can give you a return on investment. Your return on investment may be in money, time saved, or career longevity. Happily, some of those sports massage therapists attending the spa class usually decide that adding a few spa treatments to their menu of services can break up the monotony of the day and save their hands to boot. Doing deep-tissue massage for hours, day after day, comes with wear and tear on the therapist's body. Diversifying your offerings can be a good thing for you, physically. Unless you have all the clientele you'll ever want and need, marketing classes are always good for getting a return