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How to get a massage therapist license in South Carolina. 650 training hours required. MBLEx required. Government fees: $345. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Massage Therapist
Governing Authority
South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy (under SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)
Official website →Most information on this page has been verified.
86% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 fields based on preliminary research. 1 field needs verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Licensed
Regulation
650 hrs
Training Hours
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
License Title
MBLEx
Exam Required
$345
Total Fees
12 hrs
CE Required
South Carolina requires state licensing to practice massage therapy. You must complete approved training, pass the required exam, and obtain a license before practicing.
Minimum Age
Education Level
Background Check
Fingerprinting
CPR Certification
Liability Insurance
Not sure if you need a massage therapist license? Check whether your state requires one.
Required Training Hours
650 hours
Clinical / Hands-On Hours
hours
Program Approval
Approved massage therapy program
Curriculum Topics
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Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
Administered by FSMTB
Passing Score
Scaled score — pass/fail
Exam Fee
$195
MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB
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Study guides and practice tests for the MBLEx licensing exam.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $150 |
License Fee | Included |
Exam Fee MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB | $195 |
Total Government Fees Estimated total; does not include education costs | $345 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Can Use Title “LMT”
YesModalities Allowed
Restrictions
Accepts Out-of-State License
MBLEx Score Transfers
Additional Requirements for Reciprocity
Use our reciprocity lookup tool to compare license transfer options across all 50 states.
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
South Carolina increased its education requirement to 650 hours effective May 2024 and requires at least 250 hours of coursework before student clinic participation. No CE is required for the first license renewal.
650 hours required effective May 26, 2024.
12 CE hours per 2-year renewal (no CE for first renewal).
At least 250 hours of coursework before student clinic participation.
Massage Therapist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (you) | $345 | 32–62 wks | |
| Georgia | $325 | 26–52 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $345+ | 26–52 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in South Carolina
South Carolina ranks #23 out of 48 for lowest massage therapist licensing fees ($345). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
Massage Therapist Schools in South Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#37 of 51
Salary
#11 of 51
Cost
#22 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Massage Therapists (SOC 31-9011)
Entry Level
$47,350
25th percentile
Median
$62,830
+8% vs. national avg ($57,950)Experienced
$77,930
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,500 employed in this state
Note: Massage therapist income varies widely based on practice setting (spa, clinic, private practice). Self-employed therapists' earnings may differ significantly from these figures.
Source: BLS OEWS – Massage Therapists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+13.9%
High DemandNew Jobs
+18,600
over 10 years
Annual Openings
20,300
per year (avg.)
133,200 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) — 2024-2025National rate
70%
First-time Pass Rate
Based on 17,160 candidates
38% retake pass rate. Required in 46 of 49 regulated states.
Source: FSMTB 2025 Annual Report (2025)
Pass rates are approximate national averages and may vary by state, exam provider, and candidate preparation.
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 32–62 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy (SCLLR) — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy (SCLLR) — Licensing Requirements
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South Carolina requires 650 hours of training to become a licensed massage therapist. Visit the state board for approved providers and application details.
Contact the state board for a list of approved education providers.