StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Alaska

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
625 hrs
Upfront cost
$755
Exam
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Alaska Board of Massage Therapists (Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Applicants must be fingerprinted (FD-258 card) for a State and FBI criminal history background check, and hold current CPR certification plus at least 2 hours of bloodborne pathogens/universal precautions education within the two years preceding application. The 18-year minimum age comes from AS 08.61 as summarized in the board's licensing-requirements explainer; that document is dated 2015 and its 500-hour training figure is outdated (superseded by the current 625-hour requirement), but the age and background-check requirements are corroborated by the current application forms and statute summaries. [3]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 625 hours of training at a state-approved program. 625 hours of in-class supervised instruction and clinical work from an approved massage school, with the hands-on 'practical application' portion capped at not more than 20% of total program hours. An older 2015 board explainer cited a 500-hour minimum; the current (10/15/2025-revised) License by Examination application form supersedes that with the 625-hour figure used here. [1]

  3. 3

    MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)

    Pass the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (fee: $265). Alaska accepts either the MBLEx or the NCBTMB (NCETMB/NCETM) exam. The $265 fee is FSMTB's published current MBLEx fee; the Alaska board does not itemize this fee itself since it is paid to FSMTB/Pearson VUE, not the board. [1]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Alaska Board of Massage Therapists (Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing) with the $200 application fee. Typical processing time: 4-6 weeks for a complete renewal application. [2]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Alaska Board of Massage Therapists (Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing) issues your Massage Therapist License for Alaska.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $200
License fee [1] $290
Renewal fee [1] $290
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) [1] $265
Fingerprint processing fee (initial application) [1] $75

License by Examination Application Instructions (form 08-4659, rev. 10/15/2025) list: $200 nonrefundable application fee, $290 license fee, and $75 fingerprint processing fee, totaling $565 due at initial application. Fingerprint cards are not required for the 2025-2027 renewal period per the board's Applications & Forms page. Renewal is a biennial $290 (or a $145 prorated renewal for licenses first issued on or after October 1, 2024).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 16 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Licenses are issued for a two-year term expiring September 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewal requires 16 hours of continuing education (earned after October 1, 2023, per the current cycle), including at least 2 hours in ethics; up to 2 hours may be earned via hands-on CPR training and up to 2 hours via attending a Board meeting. A license lapsed for more than 3 years is not eligible for renewal or reinstatement.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Alaska offers a 'Massage Therapist License by Credentials' pathway for applicants currently licensed in one of a specific list of states: Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Credentials applicants still need current CPR certification and fingerprint-based background check. Alaska has not enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact); massagecompact.org states Alaska has no IMpact legislation currently introduced.

1 state-approved training provider in Alaska — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $200
  • $290
  • $265
Total$755

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Alaska require for a massage therapist license?

625 hours of in-class supervised instruction and clinical work from an approved massage school, with hands-on practical application limited to 20% of the total hours.

Which exam does Alaska accept?

Either the MBLEx or the NCBTMB (NCETMB/NCETM) national exam.

How much does an initial Alaska massage therapist license cost?

$565 total: a $200 nonrefundable application fee, $290 license fee, and $75 fingerprint processing fee.

Can I get an Alaska license by credentials from another state?

Yes, if you currently hold a license in Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, or Washington. You still need current CPR certification and a fingerprint-based background check.

How often do Alaska massage therapists renew their license?

Every two years (biennial renewal expiring September 30 of odd-numbered years), with 16 hours of continuing education including at least 2 hours in ethics.

Sources

  1. [1] commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/mas4659.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/mas4723.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/5/pub/MAS_LicensingRequirements.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofMassageTherapists/ApplicationsForms.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12