StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Delaware

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
625 hrs
Upfront cost
$440
Exam
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork (Division of Professional Regulation)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and undergo a mandatory Delaware and FBI criminal background check. A current CPR certification card is required (online-only CPR courses are not accepted). [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 625 hours of training at a state-approved program. The Board's licensure page lists a 500-hour minimum for students who began their massage education before July 1, 2024, and a 625-hour minimum for students beginning on or after July 1, 2024 (100 hours anatomy/physiology, 300 hours technique/theory, 200 hours electives, 25 hours ethics/law/contraindications for the current cohort). 625 is used here as the current standard for new students; earlier graduates were licensed under the prior 500-hour requirement. [1]

  3. 3

    MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)

    Pass the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (fee: $265). Delaware accepts either the FSMTB MBLEx or the NCBTMB exam. The $265 fee is FSMTB's published current MBLEx fee, paid directly to FSMTB/Pearson VUE, not the Delaware Board. [1]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork (Division of Professional Regulation) with the $175 application fee. [2]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork (Division of Professional Regulation) issues your Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) for Delaware.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $175
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] None specified
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) [1] $265

The Board's fee schedule lists a $175 application fee for Licensed Massage Therapist (a lower $55 fee applies only to upgrading from an active Certified Massage Technician). No separate 'license' fee is itemized beyond the application fee, so license is null. The Board does not publish a fixed renewal-fee dollar amount on its public fee schedule — it states licensees 'are notified of the amount of the renewal fee at the time of renewal' — so renewal is null; a late fee equal to 50% of the renewal amount applies if submitted after expiration.

Renewal & continuing education

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

All Massage and Bodywork licenses/certifications expire August 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal requires 24 hours of approved continuing education per full 2-year cycle, including at least 3 hours in ethics and 9 hours of hands-on classroom 'core' credit; online courses cannot exceed 50% of total CE hours. Current CPR certification must also be attested at renewal.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Out-of-state applicants may apply if they hold an active license in another jurisdiction, have practiced continuously in that jurisdiction for at least two years, and hold a valid NCBTMB certification; state/jurisdiction licensure verification must be sent directly to the Board from each state where the applicant currently or has ever held a license. Delaware has not enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) — massagecompact.org reports Delaware introduced IMpact legislation for the first time in the 2026 session, but it did not pass before the session ended.

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

Cost calculator

  • $175
  • $265
Total$440

Frequently asked questions

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

625 hours for students who began their massage education on or after July 1, 2024 (500 hours applied to earlier students).

Which exam does Delaware require?

Either the FSMTB MBLEx or the NCBTMB exam.

How much does an initial Delaware massage therapist license cost?

A $175 application fee. Delaware does not publish a fixed renewal fee; licensees are notified of the current renewal amount when they renew.

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

Yes, if you hold an active out-of-state license, have practiced continuously in that jurisdiction for at least two years, and hold a valid NCBTMB certification.

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

Every two years (all licenses expire August 31 of even-numbered years), with 24 hours of continuing education per cycle, including at least 3 hours of ethics and 9 hours of hands-on classroom core credit.

Sources

  1. [1] dpr.delaware.gov/boards/massagebodyworks/massage_therapist/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] dpr.delaware.gov/boards/massagebodyworks/fees/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] dpr.delaware.gov/boards/massagebodyworks/continuing-education-and-audit-information/ — accessed 2026-07-12