StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Arizona

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
700 hrs
Upfront cost
$460
Exam
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. The Board's applications page does not state an explicit minimum age. Applicants must submit a full FD-258 fingerprint card for a federal/state criminal records check, proof of U.S. citizenship/national status/authorized alien status, a passport-style photo, and (if the applicant did not complete high school or a GED) documentation of passing an Ability-to-Benefit exam. Fingerprint-based background checks take roughly 8-10 weeks to process. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 700 hours of training at a state-approved program. Regular licensure (A.R.S. Section 32-4222, A.A.C. R4-15-201) requires graduation from a massage school with a minimum of 700 hours. Applicants who graduated from a school outside Arizona must also have passed the FSMTB or NCBTMB national exam. Alternative pathways exist that use fewer hours combined with reciprocity/certification (see reciprocity notes). [1]

  3. 3

    MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)

    Pass the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (fee: $265). Arizona accepts either the FSMTB MBLEx or the NCBTMB (BCETMB) exam for regular licensure of out-of-state school graduates. The $265 fee is FSMTB's published current MBLEx fee, paid directly to FSMTB/Pearson VUE rather than the Arizona board. [1]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy with the $195 application fee. Typical processing time: Fingerprint-based background check takes approximately 8-10 weeks after initial application submission. [1]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy issues your Massage Therapist License (LMT) for Arizona.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $195
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] $95
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) [1] $265
Background check fee (fingerprint/criminal records check, paper application) [2] $22
Reinstatement of a license [2] $125
Duplicate license [2] $25
Delinquent renewal [2] $40

The Board's fee rule (A.A.C. R4-15-102) sets: application $195, reinstatement $125, duplicate license $25, license renewal $95, delinquent renewal $40 — no separate 'license' fee beyond the application fee, so license is null. The applications page states the total initial-application payment is $217.00 for paper applications ($195 application + $22 background-check fee) or $219.50 if paying the online application fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Licenses are issued for a two-year period. Arizona law (since 2003) requires 24 continuing education hours before renewal, with at least 12 of those hours completed in-person/in-classroom with an instructor (live webinars do not count as in-person) and up to 12 hours completed via distance learning. Arizona also now requires a current DPS Level-One fingerprint clearance card for license renewal, obtained separately through the AZ Department of Public Safety.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Arizona offers three non-regular licensure pathways: (1) 'License by reciprocity based on out-of-state license' (A.R.S. Sections 32-4222 & 32-4223, A.A.C. R4-15-203) for applicants licensed in another state/territory for at least 2 of the last 5 years; (2) 'License by reciprocity based on NCBTMB certification' for applicants holding a current NCBTMB certification and a minimum 500-hour school graduation; and (3) 'License by universal acceptance' (A.R.S. Section 32-4302) for applicants licensed elsewhere for at least 1 year, active, who have established Arizona residency. Arizona has not enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact); massagecompact.org states Arizona has no IMpact legislation currently introduced.

9 state-approved training providers in Arizona — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $195
  • $265
Total$460

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Arizona require for a massage therapy license?

700 hours from a Board-recognized massage school for the regular licensure pathway. Reciprocity and NCBTMB-certification pathways have different hour thresholds (e.g. 500 hours with current NCBTMB certification).

Which exam does Arizona require?

Applicants who graduated from a school outside Arizona must pass either the FSMTB MBLEx or the NCBTMB (BCETMB) exam.

How much does an initial Arizona massage license cost?

A total of $217 for a paper application ($195 application fee + $22 background-check fee), or $219.50 if paying the online application fee.

Can I transfer an out-of-state massage license to Arizona?

Yes, through reciprocity if you've held a license in another state or territory for at least 2 of the last 5 years, through NCBTMB-certification reciprocity, or through the 'universal acceptance' pathway if you've held a license elsewhere for at least 1 year and establish Arizona residency.

How often do Arizona massage therapists renew, and what continuing education is required?

Every two years, with 24 hours of continuing education required (at least 12 hours in-person/in-classroom). Renewal also now requires a current DPS Level-One fingerprint clearance card. The renewal fee is $95.

Sources

  1. [1] massagetherapy.az.gov/applications — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] massagetherapy.az.gov/resources/r4-15-102-fees — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] massagetherapy.az.gov/news/arizona-state-license-renewal — accessed 2026-07-12