Massage Therapy License Requirements

WRITTEN BY Sarah Mattie | UPDATED ON 02/17/2025

Nearly all employers and clients expect massage therapists to be licensed or certified, and most states require licensure or registration. But what does that involve?

If your state requires licensure, you must complete a minimum number of training hours and pass a licensing exam. You can also expect to renew your license periodically, often after completing continuing education courses.

And if your state doesn't regulate massage therapy? Given the skilled nature of the work, getting trained and certified is still a good idea.

Read on to learn what it takes to become a licensed massage therapist, including the average number of training hours needed, types of exams, and renewal requirements.

Learn More About Massage

Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements

There isn't a national mandate for massage therapists to be licensed, but nearly every state requires licensure. Since there isn't a national requirement, each state can set its own rules, which can change – be sure to keep an eye on your state board's website for updates!

Though states differ on specific licensure requirements, you can expect to pass a minimum number of training hours, pass an exam, pay a fee, and renew your license periodically. As of July 2024, if your state requires licensure, the details likely fall within the following ranges:

Training Hours: 500 – 1000 (most between 500 and 650)
Licensing Fee: $32 - $480 (most between $100 and $200)
Continuing Education Hours: 0 – 36 (most around 24)
Renewal Periods: 1 – 4 years (most are every 2 years)

Most states require a passing Massage & Bodywork Licensure Examination (MBLEx) score, though some offer a state exam instead.

Vermont is an outlier in terms of states that regulate all massage therapists. It requires state registration with a fee but no training or exams. Registration simply means you need to send an application and payment to the state and wait for approval.

Town or County Massage Licensure Requirements

If your state doesn't require massage therapy licensure, your specific hometown might. Just a couple of examples are California and Kansas.

California has semi-voluntary California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification. You must earn this certification to practice if you live in certain places. If your location doesn't require this, the state still recommends earning your CAMTC Certification because it allows you to practice anywhere in the state.

Certain cities in Kansas, such as Leawood, Olathe, Overland Park, and Wichita, also have unique regulations. Unlike California, there isn't a statewide certification option – Kansas massage therapists need to see what their specific locations require.

Don't forget: State laws can change. If your state doesn't require licensure right now, it may in the future. Kansas, for instance, has had many bills introduced on this over the years. On February 7, 2025, KS SB 253 was introduced, which – if it passes – would make the state's massage therapists meet the same standards as required in other states. The American Massage Therapy Association is fairly confident that this bill will pass.

Massage Training Hours

As of 2024, many states expect massage therapists to complete 500 to 1000 education hours. Nebraska and New York are at the 1000-hour level, while many states are at 500.

If your state permits licensure via apprenticeship, the required hours may differ.

Transferring Your Massage License Between States

Some states allow massage therapists to transfer their licenses from a different location, perhaps with additional training or a different exam score. This is more likely if your current license and the license in your new home have very similar requirements. The best way to find out if you can move your license is to check your state board's website or contact the board directly.

Massage Therapy Licensure Exams

If you want to be a licensed massage therapist, you need to pass at least one exam. Nearly every regulated state accepts the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSTMB).

As of 2024, the exceptions are Hawaii and New York, which have separate exams.

MBLEx: What to Expect

The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) created the MBLEx using massage therapists' real-world job tasks rather than just classroom subjects to ensure they know what to expect when practicing their craft, no matter where they live.

Your computer-based MBLEx includes 100 multiple-choice questions over:

Anatomy and physiology
Kinesiology
Pathology, contraindications, areas of caution, and special populations
Benefits and effects of soft tissue manipulation
Client assessment, reassessment, and treatment planning
Ethics, boundaries, laws, and regulations
Guidelines for professional practice

There is no hands-on portion of this test.

You have 110 minutes to complete all 100 questions. Not completing all 100 questions is an automatic fail, so keep an eye on your time. There aren't scheduled breaks during the exam, and the clock keeps running if you take an unscheduled break (unless approved for an accommodation before your exam date).

The MBLEx is pass/fail, with scores automatically sent to your state board. If you don't pass, you'll receive a diagnostic report showing where to spend more time studying before retaking your test. You have to wait at least 30 days to retake the test, and you must reapply and pay another fee. Though the FSMTB doesn't limit the number of attempts, your state might.

Before applying to take the MBLEx, you must:

Review the MBLEx Candidate Handbook
Familiarize yourself with the test's content
Ensure you have the proper identification
Be prepared to prove you're undergoing or have completed an approved massage therapy program

Once that's done, you need to:

Create an online exam account.
Submit your application and fee.
Alert your massage therapy program about having applied for the MBLEx so it can verify your education.
Allow five business days for processing once a completed application, including education record, is received.
Authorization and instructions to schedule your examination will be sent by email. You must complete the exam within the timeframe included in that communication.
Schedule your exam.
Take the exam. You will know if you passed immediately after completing the test.

How To Apply for Your Initial License

When you apply for your initial massage license, you must submit certain documents to your state board and pay a fee. Most locations encourage – or require – online submission. The specifics vary by state, but in general, you can expect to turn in:

Proof of massage training
Exam results
Application fee
Details about any criminal history
Background check permission or results
Fingerprints
A recent photo (usually 2" by 2")

Some states also require details about medical issues to ensure you don't have uncontrolled conditions that could negatively affect your clients.

After applying, you need to wait for permission to begin practicing. This can take a few weeks, so applying for your license as early as possible is wise.

Continuing Education Requirements

Most states that regulate massage therapy require practitioners to renew their licenses periodically. This typically involves completing a specified number of continuing education hours through an approved provider, applying for renewal, and paying a fee.

The specific time period for renewal varies by state. Some places, like Pennsylvania, set a particular month and day by which a license must be renewed. (Pennsylvania's renewal requirement is January 31 of every odd-numbered year.) Others, like New Hampshire, mandate a certain number of years on the anniversary of your initial issuance. Your state may have a different rule, so check with its licensure board.

If you renew late, your state likely has a specified set of consequences. For instance, Alaska offers no grace period, and you must stop practicing immediately. Meanwhile, a few states, like Texas, give a grace period with a higher fee. Once the grace period has passed, you may need to pay even more or take additional coursework before qualifying for renewal.

Regardless of your regulated state, a fully expired massage license means you can't practice until that's remedied.

Massage Training in States Without License Expectations

If your state doesn't require massage training or licensure, you should still consider taking massage coursework. Massage classes and supervised practice may help ensure you know what you're doing, increase your employability, inspire more trust from potential clients, and help you continue your massage work faster if you move to a new state.

Massage can be risky to clients and practitioners. You're manipulating people's joints, muscles, and other tissues, which can result in aches, pains, and worse without a complete knowledge of what you're doing. And you could also feel adverse effects, as you likely wouldn't be fully aware of how to best care for your joints.

And even if you don't plan to move right now, life can always change your plans! If you have some training, you may be able to speed up the licensure process in your new home.

Differences Between Massage Licensure and Certification

Massage licensure permits you to practice all areas of massage and is regulated by your state or local government. Certification is optional and often focuses on specific or advanced skills.

Individual schools or companies offer many certification programs. You can also earn a certification through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB), a nationwide board aiming to train massage therapists to the highest possible standards.

NCBTMB Certification

The NCBTMB is an independent, accredited organization offering the Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB). This certification shows that you can provide high-quality care, are dedicated to elevating the profession, are committed to your education and future, and can work effectively with healthcare and medical communities.

Regardless of whether your state requires licensure, you need to have completed a massage therapy program to earn your BCTMB. The NCBTMB has a list of Assigned Schools that meet all the Board's curriculum and quality standards.

If you didn't complete your program at an Assigned School, your school has closed, or you completed massage school outside of the US, you can go through the Portfolio Review process.

As of 2024, the costs associated with getting your BCTMB are:

$275 Examination Fee
$75 Portfolio Review Fee (if applicable)

Earning your BCTMB isn't a walk in the park! In 2023, the rigorous exam's pass rate was only 56%. If you decide to go this route, be ready to dive deep and do the work.

NCBTM certification must be renewed every two years. This helps assure clients that you are committed to learning and staying current in your field.

The NCBTMB's handbook can answer nearly any other question you have about this certification.