StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Kentucky

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
600 hrs
Upfront cost
$465
Exam
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy (Department of Professional Licensing)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Per KRS 309.358(1), applicants must be at least 18, of good moral character, and submit a recent fingerprint-based criminal background check (per KRS 309.355(7)) along with a recent color photograph that is incorporated directly into the license. No separate high-school-diploma requirement is stated in the qualifications statute. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 600 hours of training at a state-approved program. Minimum 600 hours of supervised instruction in a board-approved massage therapy training program (KRS 309.358(1)(f)1), or an associate degree with a massage therapy emphasis that meets the board's supervised-technique-instruction requirements (KRS 309.358(1)(f)2). [1]

  3. 3

    Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

    Pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) (fee: $265). KRS 309.358(1)(g) also accepts an exam from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), a National Commission for Certifying Agencies-approved certifying agency, or other board-approved exams. Current MBLEx fee per FSMTB's own FAQ page is $265. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy (Department of Professional Licensing). [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy (Department of Professional Licensing) issues your Massage Therapist for Kentucky.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] None specified
License fee [3] $200
Renewal fee [3] $200
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) [2] $265
Late renewal (0-60 days after expiration) [3] $225
Late renewal (61-90 days after expiration) [3] $250
Inactive license issuance/annual renewal [3] $50

The initial massage therapist license fee is $200, and there is no separately itemized application fee distinct from it (201 KAR 42:020 Section 2(1)). The biennial renewal fee, if paid on or before the renewal date, is also $200; late renewal escalates to $225 (0-60 days late) or $250 (61-90 days late), and reinstatement after 91+ days adds a tiered fee ($100-$300 depending on how long the license has been expired, up to a 5-year cap).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 12 continuing education hours required per cycle.

12 hours of board-approved continuing education per 2-year renewal period, of which 3 hours must be in ethics (KRS 309.361). The board may approve waivers or extensions of the CE requirement at its discretion.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Per KRS 309.359, the board may grant a license to anyone licensed/certified/registered in another state with standards at least as stringent as Kentucky's. If the other state's standards are lesser, the board may still grant a license by endorsement if the applicant's combined training, professional experience, continuing education, or other credentials are determined equivalent to Kentucky's KRS 309.358 standards; applicants who don't meet either path may appeal for a board hearing. Kentucky 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.

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

Cost calculator

  • $200
  • $265
Total$465

Frequently asked questions

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

600 hours of supervised instruction at a board-approved massage therapy training program, or an associate degree with a massage therapy emphasis meeting the board's technique-instruction requirements.

What exam does Kentucky require for massage therapist licensure?

The MBLEx (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) is common, but Kentucky also accepts an NCBTMB exam, a National Commission for Certifying Agencies-approved certifying-agency exam, or another board-approved exam.

How much does a Kentucky massage therapist license cost?

The initial license fee is $200, and the on-time biennial renewal fee is also $200. Late renewal within 60 days costs $225, and 61-90 days late costs $250; reinstatement after that follows a tiered fee schedule.

Does Kentucky require a background check for massage therapist licensure?

Yes. Applicants must submit a recent fingerprint-based criminal background check and be of good moral character, in addition to meeting the age (18+), training, and exam requirements.

Can I get a Kentucky massage therapist license by endorsement from another state?

Yes. Kentucky grants a license to anyone licensed in a state with standards at least as strict as Kentucky's, and may still grant a license by endorsement to applicants from states with lesser standards if their combined training, experience, and credentials are deemed equivalent.

Sources

  1. [1] apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] fsmtb.org/mblex-faqs/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/201/042/020.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
  5. [5] apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12