Massage Therapist License Requirements in Hawaii
- Training hours
- 570 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $304
- Exam
- Hawaii State Massage License Exam
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Applicants must be beyond the age of majority (18) and a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the United States (non-citizens without work authorization may sit the exam but cannot be issued a license). A 'yes' answer to application questions about prior disciplinary action, pending investigations, or criminal convictions requires submission of a signed explanatory statement, related court/licensing documents, and a criminal history record check for Board review. [2]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 570 hours of training at a state-approved program. 570 total hours: 50 hours of anatomy, physiology, and structural kinesiology; 100 hours of theory and demonstration; and 420 hours of supervised practical massage training, completed either as a student at a licensed massage school or through a Board-registered apprenticeship (minimum 6 months) under a Hawaii-licensed sponsoring therapist. Apprenticeship or practical training completed out-of-state is NOT accepted toward Hawaii licensure — only the 50 and 100-hour academic components may be satisfied out-of-state. [1]
- 3
Hawaii State Massage License Exam
Pass the Hawaii State Massage License Exam (fee: $90). Exam fee of $90 is paid directly to PSI upon registration (an additional $90 applies for each re-examination). Candidates must receive exam-approval from the Board before registering with PSI. Passing scores on the MBLEx or another state's licensing exam are NOT accepted in lieu of the Hawaii exam — all applicants, including nationally certified therapists, must take and pass this state-specific exam. [1]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy with the $50 application fee. Typical processing time: Minimum 45-60 business days from a complete application; deficient applications (missing documents, Board requests for clarification) delay processing further. [1]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy issues your Massage Therapist (MAT) for Hawaii.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | $50 |
| License fee [1] | $164 |
| Renewal fee [1] | $164 |
| Hawaii State Massage License Exam [1] | $90 |
Licensure fee is prorated by when in the biennium the license is issued: $164 if issued between July 1 of an even-numbered year and June 30 of an odd-numbered year, or $82 if issued in the other half of the cycle; the on-time renewal fee (matching the DCCA board page) is the flat $164 figure. The non-refundable application fee is $50. An older application form (rev. Oct 2024) additionally lists a Compliance Resolution Fund (CRF) fee of $50-$100, but the Board's more recent FAQ (rev. Apr 2025) states licensure fees as the flat $164/$82 figures without a separate CRF line — the more recent FAQ figures are used here per source rule 4's recency preference; applicants should confirm current CRF status directly with the Board.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 12 continuing education hours required per cycle.
All Massage Therapist (MAT) licenses renew by June 30 of every even-numbered year, regardless of issuance date. Of the 12 required CE hours, 2 must be first aid, CPR, or other emergency-related courses, and the remaining 10 must be directly related to the practice of massage therapy; practice-building courses (e.g. marketing, website design) are not credited. The Board conducts random compliance audits after each renewal deadline.
Reciprocity
No reciprocity or endorsement route was found.
The Board's official FAQ states unambiguously that Hawaii does NOT license by reciprocity: an out-of-state license cannot be transferred, and every applicant — including MBLEx passers and nationally certified therapists — must meet Hawaii's own hours, exam, and application requirements. Hawaii has not enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact); as of this research the compact's enacted states are Nevada, Ohio, Arkansas, Virginia, and Montana, per massagecompact.org.
1 state-approved training provider in Hawaii — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $50
- $164
- $90
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Hawaii require for a massage therapist license?
570 total hours: 50 hours of anatomy/physiology/structural kinesiology, 100 hours of theory and demonstration, and 420 hours of supervised practical training at a licensed massage school or through a Board-registered apprenticeship.
Can I transfer my massage therapist license from another state to Hawaii?
No. The Board's FAQ states plainly that Hawaii does not license by reciprocity. Even licensed, nationally certified, or MBLEx-passing therapists must submit a full Hawaii application and pass the Hawaii state exam.
Who administers Hawaii's massage therapist licensing exam?
PSI Services, Inc. (PSI Exams) administers the Hawaii State Massage License Exam on behalf of the Board. The exam fee is $90, paid directly to PSI, with an additional $90 for each re-examination.
How often do I need to renew my Hawaii massage therapist license, and are continuing education hours required?
Every 2 years, by June 30 of each even-numbered year regardless of issuance date. Renewal requires 12 CE hours per biennium, including at least 2 hours of first aid/CPR/emergency-related coursework.
Can apprenticeship training completed outside Hawaii count toward licensure?
No. The 420 hours of supervised practical/apprenticeship training must be completed within the State of Hawaii; out-of-state apprenticeship training does not qualify, though the 50-hour and 100-hour academic components may be completed at an accredited out-of-state school.
Sources
- [1] cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Board-of-Massage-Therapy-FAQs_rev.-04.2025.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Info-Require-Instruct-App-for-Massage-Therapist_10.24R.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12