Quick answer
! A license check tells you who may legally practice. It doesn't tell you whether massage suits your condition; that's a conversation with a healthcare provider.
Self-pay medical massage at Circle Wellness
Circle Wellness offers medical massage in Melville for patients paying directly for their care, performed by licensed massage therapists.
Debit cards
Checks
Cash
HSA/FSA
Ask about the current self-pay rate, session length and any separate charges before you book.
Call or text. Melville Corporate Plaza, 25 Melville Park Rd, Suite 200 B.
Why it matters in New York
In New York, using the title “massage therapist,” “masseuse,” “masseur” or any derivation of it requires a state license.Practicing a licensed profession without a license and current registration is a felony in the state.
To be licensed, a massage therapist must, among other requirements:
- Complete at least 1,000 hours of classroom instruction from a licensure-qualifying program, including at least 150 hours of practice on a person
- Study anatomy, physiology, neurology, myology or kinesiology, pathology, hygiene, first aid, CPR and infection control, plus both Eastern and Western massage theory and technique
- Pass the New York State Massage Therapy Examination
- Complete a CPR course within three years before licensure, and be at least 18
Practitioners may describe their work by technique name, such as Shiatsu, or use general terms like “bodywork.” NYSED’s consumer guidance says practitioners using these titles should all be licensed massage therapists.
License vs registration
These are two different things, and the lookup shows both.
License
- Shows the person met New York's minimum requirements to enter the profession
- Valid for the holder's life unless, for example, it is revoked or annulled
Registration
- Required, along with the license, to practice in New York
- Renewed every three years; massage therapists must re-register to keep practicing
That’s why the status line matters more than the existence of a license. Someone can hold a license and still not be registered to practice right now.
How to check, step by step
Open the official search
Select "Massage Therapy"
Search by name or license number
Open the record
Check for discipline
What each status means
| Status | What NYSED says it means |
|---|---|
| Registered | CAN PRACTICE Licensed and registered, which is what’s required to practice in New York. |
| Inactive | NOT PRACTICING IN NY The professional told NYSED at re-registration that they won’t be practicing in New York. |
| Not Registered | LAPSED The registration lapsed without explanation. |
|
License Suspended, Revoked or Surrendered |
DISCIPLINARY The license is suspended, revoked or surrendered under disciplinary action. |
| License Rescinded | ISSUED IN ERROR The license was rescinded because of an error in issuing it. |
Status definitions summarized from NYSED’s verification glossary. For any status other than Registered, the “Registered through” date is the last date the person was registered to practice in New York.
What to look for in person
New York massage therapists must display a current New York registration certificate. It lists the professional’s name, address and the dates of the registration period. Some also display their original license, diploma or other certificates.
You may also meet someone working under a limited permit. That’s for applicants who have met every licensure requirement except the exam. Permit holders must work under the personal, on-site supervision of a licensed and registered massage therapist, and can’t run a private practice.
What a license doesn't tell you
- It isn’t a diagnosis. NYSED notes that massage therapists don’t diagnose medical diseases or disorders. They evaluate clients to choose a technique and to know when to refer to other healthcare practitioners.
- You don’t need a prescription to see one. Under New York’s consumer guidance, you can see a massage therapist directly, though your physician may refer you. Payment rules are a separate matter; see our guide to using your FSA for medical massage.
- It doesn’t show fit. NCCIH suggests asking about a therapist’s training, experience and credentials, and about the number of treatments that might be needed and the cost.
You also have rights around your records. Massage therapists must keep records of client evaluations and treatments for six years, or until the client turns 22, whichever is longer, and you have a right to a copy.
If something seems wrong
- For information on filing: 1-800-442-8106 or conduct@nysed.gov
- The written complaint form is linked from NYSED's professional misconduct enforcement page
What to expect at Circle Wellness
All medical massage services at Circle Wellness are performed by the licensed therapists at Enso Acupuncture and Massage, PLLC. Your visit starts with an assessment of your concerns and goals, and your therapist tailors the session to them.[8] You can look up any therapist by name on the NYSED verification search.
We’re in Melville Corporate Plaza at 25 Melville Park Rd, Suite 200 B, near Route 110 and LIE Exit 49, open Monday to Friday 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM. To compare techniques before you call, read deep tissue vs myofascial release or visit our medical massage page.
Before your first self-pay visit
- Status reads Registered, and the registered-through date hasn’t passed
- You know the current self-pay rate, session length and any separate charges
- You’ve told the team about relevant health history
- If you plan an FSA or HSA claim, you’ve checked your plan’s documentation rules
FAQs
How do I check if a massage therapist is licensed in New York?
Use the NYSED Office of the Professions online verification search. Select Massage Therapy, search by name or six-digit license number, and open the record to check the status and registered-through date.
What's the difference between a license and registration?
A license shows someone met New York’s requirements to enter the profession. Registration is renewed every three years, and a massage therapist must be licensed and registered to practice in New York.
What does "Not Registered" mean?
NYSED uses it when a registration has lapsed without explanation. The registered-through date then shows the last date the person was registered to practice in New York.
Can someone call themselves a massage therapist without a license?
No. In New York, using the title massage therapist, masseuse, masseur or any derivation requires licensure.
Do I need a prescription to see a massage therapist in New York?
No. NYSED’s consumer guidance says you can see a massage therapist directly, although your physician may refer you. Payment and reimbursement rules are separate.
Can I see if a massage therapist has been disciplined?
Yes. Summaries of final disciplinary actions appear under the Enforcement Actions tab in a verification record, and NYSED’s searchable summaries begin with cases from January 1994.
How do I report a concern about a massage therapist?
Submit a written complaint to NYSED’s Office of the Professions. For information on filing, call 1-800-442-8106 or email conduct@nysed.gov. Complaints can’t be filed by phone.
Are Circle Wellness's massage therapists licensed?
Yes. Our medical massage services are performed by licensed massage therapists. You can look up any therapist by name on the NYSED verification search.
Can I book and pay directly at Circle Wellness?
Yes. Ask about the self-pay fee, session length and appointment requirements. We accept credit cards, debit cards, checks and cash, as well as HSA/FSA payments.
Ask about a self-pay session
Call or text (631) 888-5957 to ask about deep tissue massage or myofascial release, current rates and session lengths at Circle Wellness in Melville.
