The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® (DIRI) Professional Rolfing® Certification Program is designed to provide comprehensive, rigorous education that meets — and often exceeds — the foundational training standards required by many U.S. state licensing boards.
While licensure requirements vary by jurisdiction, DIRI graduates are well prepared to pursue professional credentialing through a curriculum that integrates science, hands-on practice, movement education, and the principles of Structural Integration.
DIRI’s professional training program includes over 730 total instructional hours, combining classroom learning, supervised clinical experience, and applied technique. This integrated approach aligns with common state education frameworks for manual therapy and massage licensure while maintaining the depth and specificity required for Rolfing® practitioners.
Many states require between 500 and 650 total training hours. DIRI’s program meets or exceeds these benchmarks while offering advanced training in Structural Integration.
Below is an overview of how DIRI’s training hours map to commonly required state licensing categories.
Total DIRI Program Hours: 731 Hours
This comprehensive training includes a balance of:
Many states require between 500–650 total hours for massage therapy licensure. DIRI’s total program hours meet or exceed these benchmarks.
DIRI coursework directly corresponds to the foundational subjects required by most state licensing boards.
Science & Body Systems
DIRI includes substantial instruction in:
These subjects satisfy core science education requirements found in most state regulations.
Technique & Clinical Practice
These hours support state requirements for supervised student clinic experience and hands-on skill development.
Professional Practice & Ethics
DIRI also prepares students for professional practice expectations:
These topics align with common licensure requirements related to professional conduct and business operations.
Rolfing® Theory & Specialized Training
DIRI provides advanced instruction specific to the Rolfing® method:
In some states, Rolfing® training is classified as exempt or categorized differently than traditional massage coursework. DIRI advisors assist graduates in identifying how these hours apply toward individual state requirements.
State-by-State Variations
Licensing requirements differ across jurisdictions. Some states require specific minimums in areas such as:
While DIRI covers many of these areas within its curriculum, graduates may occasionally need to complete supplemental coursework to satisfy unique state mandates.
DIRI provides guidance to help graduates navigate licensure requirements by:
Our goal is to support graduates in successfully transitioning from training into licensed professional practice.
Important Notice
DIRI does not guarantee licensure eligibility in every state. Final approval is determined by individual state licensing boards. Prospective students and graduates are encouraged to verify requirements with their state regulatory agency.
While Rolfing is exempt from licensure in the state of Colorado, massage therapy is not. If you are a massage therapist in the state of Colorado and plan to also practice Rolfing® SI, you are required to apply for licensure through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), 1560 Broadway, Suite 110, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-7855 - Phone
(800) 886-7675 - Toll-Free
(303) 894-7885 - Fax
https://dpo.colorado.gov/
Graduates of the DIRI Rolfing (SI) Certification program are not required to obtain licensure to solely practice Rolfing in the following 13 states.
Rolf Movement® is exempt from licensure in the following three states, which means that graduates are not required to obtain a license if they plan to solely practice Rolf Movement in the state. Rolfing Structural Integration does require a Massage Therapy license in these states.
Requirements for other states may vary so please check with the state or local agency (city, county, parish, etc.) in which you plan to practice.
If you plan to practice as both a Rolfer™ and a Massage Therapist in a state that requires a Massage Therapy license but has a Rolfer exemption, to practice Rolfing SI you are required to apply for a massage license through the state's Regulatory Agency.
Click HERE for the full list of state regulations (current as of February 2024).
**Disclaimer: The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® is not liable for the content of this guideline. All information contained herein is subject to change at any time from the various state and local agencies involved with professional licensure. It is imperative to check directly with those agencies for current information. DIRI does its best to update the requirements as needed.
Please note that local municipal ordinances may apply in the absence of State Regulation so please check with the local agency (city, county, parish, etc.) in which you plan to practice.
The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute does not guarantee job placement or the acceptance of transfer hours to other bodywork programs. Click HERE for Placement and Career Services information.
Students enrolled in the 731-hour Rolfing Certification Program are concurrently enrolled in the Massage and Bodywork Program. Upon successful completion of the program, students will have met and exceeded the licensing requirements for massage practice per Colorado Revised Statute 12-35.5-117 (§ 12-35.5-117, C.R.S.).
While this program does exceed the minimum requirements, students should not consider the program as a terminal certificate for massage alone but rather as preparation to be Structural Integrators.
https://dpo.colorado.gov/MassageTherapy/Laws
Requirements for other states may vary so please check with the State Agency where you will practice. The following resources may be used to assist you: