StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Mississippi

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
700 hrs
Upfront cost
$615
Exam
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), Mississippi State Law Examination (MSLE)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, High school diploma or equivalent, plus completion of a board-approved 700-hour massage therapy training program., pass a criminal background check. Rule 4.1 requires applicants to be at least 18 on the date of application, provide proof of high school graduate equivalency, and (effective July 1, 2013) undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history check through the Mississippi central criminal database and the FBI, plus a good-moral-character determination by the Board. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 700 hours of training (including 100 clinical hours) at a state-approved program. Rule 4.2.B itemizes a board-approved curriculum of 200 hours massage theory/practicum, 200 hours science of the human body, 200 hours allied modalities, and 100 hours supervised student clinic (700 hours total). Note: the rule's own summary sentence separately describes '550 hours of massage therapy instruction and at least 50 hours of student clinic, for a total of 600 hours,' which conflicts with the itemized breakdown that sums to 700; the 700-hour itemized figure is used here as it matches the detailed subject-area breakdown and is corroborated by third-party licensing guides. [1]

  3. 3

    Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

    Pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) (fee: $265). The MBLEx is one of several Board-approved 'Comprehensive Examination' options; applicants may instead take the NCETMB (administered by NCBTMB, cost set by NCBTMB) or the Mississippi Professional Examination I and II (MPE-1 and MPE-2, administered by MSBMT at $125 per exam part, i.e. $250 total for both parts). [2]

  4. 4

    Mississippi State Law Examination (MSLE)

    Pass the Mississippi State Law Examination (MSLE) (fee: $100). Jurisprudence exam on the Mississippi Professional Massage Therapy Act and MSBMT Rules and Regulations; required of all applicants in addition to the Board Comprehensive Examination (MBLEx/NCETMB/MPE), with a minimum passing score of 70%. A graduate who will not practice in Mississippi may request a waiver. [1]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT) with the $50 application fee. [1]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT) issues your Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) for Mississippi.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $50
License fee [1] $200
Renewal fee [1] $200
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) [2] $265
Mississippi State Law Examination (MSLE) [1] $100
Application packet fee (if mailed) [1] $15
Paper renewal application fee [1] $35
Renewal late fee (1-30 days late) [1] $100
Renewal late fee (31-60 days late) [1] $150
Renewal late fee (61-90 days late) [1] $200
Reapplication fee (more than 90 days late) [1] $250
Inactive status fee (valid up to 3 years) [1] $30
Massage establishment registration (annual, new or renewal) [1] $50

Per Rule 2.1: $50 application fee for licensure and a $200 two-year license/renewal fee (which also covers the mobile therapist card). The $200 figure applies both at initial licensure and at each 2-year renewal.

Renewal & continuing education

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

Licenses are valid through May 31 of the second year following issuance or renewal (Rule 6.1). Rule 10.1 requires 12 CEU hours per calendar year (24 per 2-year renewal period), itemized as 3 hours Mississippi Law/Rules and Regulations, 3 hours ethics, 3 hours CPR/First Aid, 1 hour human trafficking, and 14 hours of general/elective continuing education per renewal period.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Rule 4.5 allows licensure by reciprocity for applicants currently licensed in another state, but requires proof of at least 3 years' work experience as a massage therapist, passing scores on a Board Comprehensive Examination, passing the Mississippi State Law Examination (MSLE), and a certified transcript showing a minimum of 500 in-class academic hours from an accredited school (additional training may be required for non-accredited schools). Requirements differ slightly depending on whether the applicant's origin state regulates massage therapy. Mississippi 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 Mississippi — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $50
  • $200
  • $265
  • $100
Total$615

Frequently asked questions

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

700 hours from a board-approved school: 200 hours massage theory/practicum, 200 hours science of the human body, 200 hours allied modalities, and 100 hours supervised student clinic.

What exams does Mississippi require for massage therapist licensure?

A Board Comprehensive Examination (typically the MBLEx, or alternatively NCETMB or the Mississippi Professional Examination I/II), plus the Mississippi State Law Examination (MSLE), a jurisprudence exam requiring a 70% passing score.

How much does a Mississippi massage therapist license cost?

A $50 application fee plus a $200 two-year license fee. The same $200 fee applies again at each 2-year renewal, with additional late fees if you renew after your expiration date.

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

Yes. 24 CEU hours per 2-year renewal period, including specific hours in Mississippi law/rules, ethics, CPR/First Aid, and human trafficking awareness, plus general elective hours.

Can I get a Mississippi massage therapist license by reciprocity from another state?

Yes, if you're currently licensed elsewhere, have at least 3 years of work experience, passed a Board Comprehensive Examination, and can document at least 500 in-class training hours from an accredited school. You'll still need to pass Mississippi's own MSLE jurisprudence exam.

Sources

  1. [1] msbmt.ms.gov/sites/msbmt/files/MSBMT.Rules_.Clean_.2.27.2026.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] fsmtb.org/mblex-faqs/ — accessed 2026-07-12