StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Maryland

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
750 hrs
Upfront cost
$890
Exam
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), Maryland Massage Therapy Jurisprudence Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, Graduation from a Board-approved massage therapy training program (750 hours for LMT; 600 classroom hours for RMP), accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency., pass a criminal background check. Applicants must be 18 or older, of good moral character, and pass a criminal background check, in addition to completing approved training and passing both the national exam (MBLEx) and Maryland's own Jurisprudence Examination. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 750 hours of training at a state-approved program. 750 contact hours from a Board-approved massage school is required for the LMT license track (COMAR 10.65.01.07), including approximately 100 hours anatomy/physiology/kinesiology, 200 hours massage therapy theory, 175 hours supervised hands-on techniques, and 100 hours supervised clinical experience/practicum. A separate, lower-tier RMP (Registered Massage Practitioner) credential requires a minimum of 600 classroom hours instead of 750. [1]

  3. 3

    Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

    Pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) (fee: $265). Passing the MBLEx (or another Board-accepted national exam) is a prerequisite to sitting for Maryland's own Jurisprudence Examination. [2]

  4. 4

    Maryland Massage Therapy Jurisprudence Examination

    Pass the Maryland Massage Therapy Jurisprudence Examination (fee: $275). State-specific open-book exam on Maryland massage laws and regulations (COMAR); requires a passing score of 75% or better. The $275 fee is COMAR 10.65.07.02's 'State examination fee.' A $250 retake fee applies after a second failed attempt, with a 30-day wait between attempts; COMAR 10.65.07.02 separately lists a $300 'Reexamination fee.' [3]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) with the $150 application fee. [1]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) issues your Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) for Maryland.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $150
License fee [1] $200
Renewal fee [1] $250
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) [2] $265
Maryland Massage Therapy Jurisprudence Examination [3] $275
Late renewal fee (within 30 days of expiration, in addition to renewal fee) [1] $200
Reinstatement fee (after 31+ days, inclusive of reinstatement + renewal + late fee) [1] $475
RMP-to-LMT conversion fee [1] $100
Inactive status renewal fee [1] $50

Per COMAR 10.65.07.02: $150 application fee, $200 license fee, $250 biennial renewal fee. These are separate from the $265 MBLEx fee paid directly to FSMTB and the $275 Maryland Jurisprudence Examination fee, which are itemized under exams above.

Renewal & continuing education

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

24 continuing education hours every 24 months (COMAR 10.65.05.01), including 3 hours professional ethics/jurisprudence, 3 hours communicable disease education, 2 hours diversity/cultural competency/implicit bias, and 16 hours massage-related coursework. Current CPR/BLS certification is also required at renewal, and licensees whose first renewal falls after April 1, 2026 must complete implicit bias and structural racism training.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

COMAR 10.65.01.06 allows applicants already licensed/registered in another jurisdiction to apply with verification of status sent directly to the Maryland Board by the issuing state; out-of-state practitioners may also practice in Maryland up to 7 consecutive days with prior Board approval. Maryland has not enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) and, per massagecompact.org, currently has no IMpact legislation introduced. As of this research, the compact's enacted states are Nevada, Ohio, Arkansas, Virginia, and Montana.

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

Cost calculator

  • $150
  • $200
  • $265
  • $275
Total$890

Frequently asked questions

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

750 contact hours from a Board-approved massage school for the Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) track, or 600 classroom hours for the lower-tier Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP) credential.

What exams does Maryland require for massage therapist licensure?

Applicants must pass a national exam (typically the MBLEx, $265 through FSMTB) and then Maryland's own Jurisprudence Examination ($275), which tests knowledge of state massage laws and regulations and requires a 75% passing score.

How much does a Maryland massage therapist license cost?

A $150 application fee and $200 license fee, plus the $265 MBLEx fee and $275 Jurisprudence Exam fee. The biennial renewal fee is $250.

Does Maryland require continuing education to renew a massage therapy license?

Yes. 24 hours every 24 months, including specific hours in ethics/jurisprudence, communicable disease education, and diversity/cultural competency, plus current CPR/BLS certification.

Can I get a Maryland massage therapist license if I'm already licensed in another state?

Maryland allows applicants licensed elsewhere to apply with direct verification of status from the issuing state's board, though they must still meet Maryland's exam and training documentation requirements. Maryland has not joined the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact).

Sources

  1. [1] regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/10.65/index.full.html — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] fsmtb.org/mblex-faqs/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] health.maryland.gov/massage/pages/exam.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12