04/17/2025
As a Licensed Massage Therapist and educator with over 25 years in the field, I feel compelled to speak out about a hiring practice I recently encountered—and one that I believe disrespects the very heart of our profession.
During a recent interview for a massage therapy position, I was asked to provide a full 50-minute massage, unpaid, as part of the hiring process. The recipient? A current employee of the business. No compensation, no professional consideration—just a full session given freely as a “test.”
Let’s be clear: Massage therapy is a licensed healthcare profession. It is not a free audition. To require highly trained professionals to give away their labor without pay during an interview, especially in a full-length session that benefits the business or its staff, is unethical. It violates professional boundaries, disregards the value of our training, and contributes to a culture that exploits rather than respects massage therapists.
Yes, skill demonstrations can have a place in hiring—but only when handled ethically. A brief, supervised skills review? Reasonable. A full therapeutic session on an employee with no pay and no respect for the therapist’s time or expertise? Absolutely not.
I urge spas, clinics, and wellness centers in Florida and beyond to re-evaluate these outdated and unethical interview practices. Respect begins before the first client is seen. It starts with how you treat your applicants.
If we, as professionals, don’t speak up for the value of our work—who will?
Let’s raise the standard. Let’s honor the work. And let’s build a profession that respects those who’ve dedicated their lives to healing others.
‘LucasTherapeutic is Committedd to Your Success ‘
Edward Lucas, LMT, NMT
Educator | Advanced Bodywork Specialist
Founder, LucasTherapeutic & Adaptive Treatment Technology