Massage Therapist License Requirements in Alabama
- Training hours
- 650 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $415
- Exam
- MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Pass a criminal background check. The Board's published pages do not state a minimum-age requirement. Applicants must submit proof of a federal and state background check (billed by a third-party vendor), proof of $1,000,000 personal liability insurance coverage, certified transcripts from an accredited massage school, and proof of US citizenship or lawful presence. [2]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 650 hours of training at a state-approved program. Minimum 650 hours of instruction from an accredited massage therapy school, per the Board's licensure requirements page. [1]
- 3
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
Pass the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (fee: $265). Alabama accepts either the MBLEx or the NCBTMB national certification exam. FSMTB's own FAQ lists the current MBLEx fee as $265 (Pearson VUE may add a separate testing-center fee); Alabama's board page does not itemize the exam fee itself since it is paid to FSMTB/Pearson VUE, not the board. [1]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board with the $150 application fee. [2]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board issues your Massage Therapist License for Alabama.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | $150 |
| License fee [2] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [2] | $125 |
| MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) [1] | $265 |
| License application request form fee [2] | $25 |
The $150 application & license fee covers issuance of the initial two-year license, so a separate 'license' fee is null. Applicants also pay the actual cost of a federal/state background check, billed by a third-party vendor at an amount the Board does not publish (left out of 'other' since no fixed figure is stated). Renewal is $125 for a two-year cycle.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 16 continuing education hours required per cycle.
A license expired more than five years may not be reinstated, per the Board's application page.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Applicants must still submit license verification from every state where they hold or have held a massage therapy license as part of the standard application, and must have passed the MBLEx or NCBTMB exam — Alabama's board page does not describe a separate reduced-requirement reciprocity track. Alabama has not enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact); massagecompact.org lists Alabama as having no IMpact legislation as of this research date.
3 state-approved training providers in Alabama — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $150
- $265
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Alabama require for a massage therapist license?
A minimum of 650 hours from an accredited massage therapy school.
Which exam does Alabama require?
Either the MBLEx or the NCBTMB national certification exam.
How much does an Alabama massage therapist license cost?
The application & license fee is $150 for a two-year license, plus a $25 license application request form fee and the actual cost of a required background check.
How often must Alabama massage therapists renew, and what continuing education is required?
Every two years, with 16 hours of continuing education required to renew. Renewal is $125.
Is Alabama part of the Interstate Massage Compact?
No. As of this research date, Alabama has not enacted IMpact legislation.
Sources
- [1] amtlb.alabama.gov/licensing/licensure-requirements/ — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] amtlb.alabama.gov/licensing/applications-verification/massage-therapists/ — accessed 2026-07-12