Masseuse or Massage Therapist

By Jennifer Richards 2025

The shift from the term “masseuse” to “licensed massage therapist (LMT)” or “certified massage therapist (CMT)” in the United States began in earnest in the 1980s and 1990s, driven by the profession’s efforts to gain legitimacy, standardize education, and distance itself from the sexualized connotations of “masseuse” and “masseur.” In turn, the industry shifted from the term “massage parlor” to “spa” to further separate themselves from the negative connotations.

Timeline & Background:

Pre-1980s: “Masseuse” (female) and “masseur” (male) were the common terms, originating from French. These terms became culturally loaded, especially in the U.S., where they were often associated with illicit or unlicensed activity. 1980s–1990s: Professional organizations like the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) began promoting terms like “massage therapist” and “licensed” or “certified” to emphasize professionalism, ethical standards, and health care alignment. 1992: The NCBTMB was established, offering national certification, which encouraged the use of “certified massage therapist” in states that did not yet have licensure laws. 2000s–present: Most U.S. states adopted licensure for massage therapy, so “Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)” became the legal and professional standard in most jurisdictions. With a license, you are considered a healthcare professional and need to take continuing education classes to maintain licensure. “Certified Massage Therapist (CMT)” still exists in some states like California, where certification is used in lieu of licensure.

Summary:

The shift away from “masseuse” started in the 1980s and became widespread by the early 2000s. Today, “masseuse” is considered outdated and often inappropriate, while LMT and CMT reflect a respected, regulated profession.