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Massage Therapist
The most comprehensive comparison of massage therapist licensing requirements. The MBLEx is the standard national exam, training hours range widely across states, and a few states remain unregulated.
47
States Require Licensing
7
Voluntary/Unregulated
500–1000
Training Hours Range
44
Require MBLEx
Massage therapy licensing varies significantly by state, from strict requirements with high training hours to states with no regulation at all.
The Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is administered by the FSMTB and used by the majority of states as the standard licensing exam. It uses scaled pass/fail scoring to evaluate entry-level competency.
Required training hours range from 500 to 1,000+ depending on the state. Most accredited programs cover anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, massage technique, and ethics.
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) are the two major professional associations, offering voluntary membership, liability insurance, and continuing education resources.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Status | Hours | MBLEx | Gov. Fees | Renewal | CE Req. | BG Check | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Mandatory | 650 | Yes | $370+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Mandatory | 625 | Yes | $545+ | 2 years (biennial); licenses expire September 30 of odd-numbered years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Mandatory | 700 | Yes | $345+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $411.25 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | Voluntary | 500 | No | $300-$495 | 2 years | No | Yes | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $314.50+ | 2 years (expires December 31 of even-numbered years) | No | Yes | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Mandatory | 750 | Yes | $574.75 | 4 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Mandatory | 625 | Yes | $321 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $457 | 2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $350 | 2 years; current licenses expire August 31, 2027; null and void September 1, 2027 | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $325 | 2 years (expires October 31 of even-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Mandatory | 570 | No | $214 | 2 years (expires June 30 of even-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $440 | 1 year (birthday) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Mandatory | 600 | Yes | $370+ | 2 years (last quarter of even-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Mandatory | 625 | Yes | $295 | 4 years (expires May 15 of every fourth year — 2025, 2029, 2033) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Mandatory | 600 | Yes | $315 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Unregulated | — | No | N/A | N/A | No | No | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Mandatory | 600 | Yes | $395 | 2 years (biennial, on anniversary date of issuance) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $465 | 1 year (annual, by March 31) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $281 | Annual; renews on the anniversary date of the original license | No | Yes | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Mandatory | 750 | Yes | $495+ | 2 years — current cycle is 2024–2026, next cycle is 2026–2028 | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Mandatory | 650 | Yes | $420 | 2 years | No | Yes | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Mandatory | 625 | Yes | $465.10 | 3 years (after first renewal); initial license valid 4–12 months depending on issuance date within the cycle | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Unregulated | — | No | N/A | N/A | No | No | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Mandatory | 700 | Yes | $481+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $363.05+ | 2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $340 | 2 years (expires August 31) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Mandatory | 1000 | Yes | $305 | 2 years (licenses expire November 1 of odd years) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Mandatory | 625 | Yes | $675+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Mandatory | 750 | Yes | $305 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $315+ | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Mandatory | 650 | Yes | $270 | 2 years (expires October 31) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Mandatory | 1000 | No | $303+ | 3 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $345+ | 2 years (expires December 31 of even years) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Mandatory | 750 | Yes | $345 ($150 application + $195 MBLEx exam fee) | 2 years (biennial) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Mandatory | 750 | Yes | $586 | 2 years | No | Yes | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $270 | 1 year (expires on birthday) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Mandatory | 625 | Yes | $727.25 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Mandatory | 600 | Yes | $295 | 2 years (biennial; licenses expire January 31 of odd-numbered years) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Mandatory | 800 | Yes | $260 | 1 year | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Mandatory | 650 | Yes | $345 | 2 years (expires June 30 of every even-numbered year) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $315 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Mandatory | 650 | Yes | $475 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $295 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Mandatory | 600 | Yes | $295 | 2 years (expires May 31 of odd-numbered years) | No | Yes | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Mandatory | 0 (no education or training hours required for registration) | No | $275 | 2 years | No | No | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Mandatory | 500 | Yes | $335 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Mandatory | 625 | Yes | $421 | 1 year (expires on licensee's birthday) | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Mandatory | 625 | Yes | $545 | 2 years | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Mandatory | 600 | Yes | $345 | February 28 of each odd-numbered year (per Wis. Stat. § 440.08(2)); biennial cycle confirmed | Yes | Yes | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Unregulated | — | No | N/A | N/A — no state renewal requirement | No | No | March 2026 |
Massage therapists often explore related wellness and personal care professions. See what other licenses are available.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Massage Therapist licenses and what's required to transfer.
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