Massage Therapist License Requirements by State
Massage therapists apply manual manipulation of soft tissue to relieve pain, reduce stress, and support rehabilitation, working in spas, clinics, and private practice. Most states require graduation from an approved massage therapy program — commonly 500 to 750 hours — and a passing score on the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination), administered nationally by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), though a few states accept alternative exams and each state sets its own hour minimums, fees, and renewal cycle.
- States verified
- 51
- Median wage (BLS 2024)
- $57,950/yr
- Employment (BLS 2024)
- 168,000
- Outlook (10-yr)
- +15.4%
Pick your state
Requirements at a glance
| State | Training hours | Upfront cost | Renewal cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 650 hrs | $415 | Every 2 years |
| Alaska | 625 hrs | $755 | Every 2 years |
| Arizona | 700 hrs | $460 | Every 2 years |
| Arkansas | 500 hrs | $370 | Every 2 years |
| California | 500 hrs | $300 | Every 2 years |
| Colorado | 500 hrs | $265 | Every 2 years |
| Connecticut | 750 hrs | $644.75 | Every 2 years |
| Delaware | 625 hrs | $440 | Every 2 years |
| District of Columbia | 500 hrs | $527 | Every 2 years |
| Florida | 500 hrs | $415 | Every 2 years |
| Georgia | 500 hrs | $390 | Every 2 years |
| Hawaii | 570 hrs | $304 | Every 2 years |
| Idaho | 500 hrs | $445 | Every 1 year |
| Illinois | 600 hrs | $440 | Every 2 years |
| Indiana | 625 hrs | $365 | Every 4 years |
| Iowa | 600 hrs | $385 | Every 2 years |
| Kansas | — | — | — |
| Kentucky | 600 hrs | $465 | Every 2 years |
| Louisiana | 625 hrs | $465 | Every 1 year |
| Maine | 500 hrs | $305 | Every 1 year |
| Maryland | 750 hrs | $890 | Every 2 years |
| Massachusetts | 650 hrs | $490 | Every 1 year |
| Michigan | 625 hrs | $510 | Every 3 years |
| Minnesota | — | — | — |
| Mississippi | 700 hrs | $615 | Every 2 years |
| Missouri | 625 hrs | $390 | Every 2 years |
| Montana | 500 hrs | $405 | Every 1 year |
| Nebraska | 1000 hrs | $375 | Every 2 years |
| Nevada | 550 hrs | $660 | Every 3 years |
| New Hampshire | 750 hrs | $375 | Every 2 years |
| New Jersey | 500 hrs | $460 | Every 2 years |
| New Mexico | 650 hrs | $340 | Every 2 years |
| New York | 1000 hrs | $115 | Every 3 years |
| North Carolina | 650 hrs | $435 | Every 2 years |
| North Dakota | 750 hrs | $415 | Every 2 years |
| Ohio | 600 hrs | $415 | Every 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 500 hrs | $365 | Every 2 years |
| Oregon | 625 hrs | $535 | Every 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | 600 hrs | $365 | Every 2 years |
| Rhode Island | 800 hrs | $330 | Every 2 years |
| South Carolina | 650 hrs | $415 | Every 2 years |
| South Dakota | 500 hrs | $430 | Every 1 year |
| Tennessee | 650 hrs | $535 | Every 2 years |
| Texas | 500 hrs | $365 | Every 2 years |
| Utah | 600 hrs | $400 | Every 2 years |
| Vermont | — | $90 | Every 2 years |
| Virginia | 500 hrs | $405 | Every 2 years |
| Washington | 625 hrs | $491 | Every 2 years |
| West Virginia | 625 hrs | $615 | Every 2 years |
| Wisconsin | 600 hrs | $415 | Every 2 years |
| Wyoming | — | — | — |
Upfront cost = application fee + license fee + exam fees, from each state's verified fee schedule. States marked "coming soon" are being verified against their issuing board and will be published shortly.