StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in New Hampshire

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
750 hrs
Upfront cost
$375
Exam
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Advisory Board of Massage Therapists (NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, 750-hour massage therapy curriculum meeting NH Administrative Rules (Plc 300)., pass a criminal background check. Per RSA 328-B:6, applicants must be at least 18, have not been convicted in New Hampshire or any other state of any crime involving violence or a sexually-related crime, and submit written evidence of good mental and physical health; the Board's checklist also requires current Adult CPR and First Aid certification. This is a self-attestation/disclosure-based check rather than a universal fingerprint mandate, though RSA 328-B:4, IV separately lets the executive director request a state/federal criminal-history report on any applicant if useful in evaluating the application. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-06-08 (gc.nh.gov blocks non-browser fetches). [4]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 750 hours of training at a state-approved program. Per RSA 328-B:4, VII(c) and the implementing NH Administrative Rules (Plc 300), applicants must graduate from a massage therapy school with a 750-hour curriculum meeting the rules' educational requirements. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-06-05 (oplc.nh.gov blocks non-browser fetches). [1]

  3. 3

    Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

    Pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) (fee: $265). RSA 328-B:4, VII(c) technically authorizes rules requiring 'the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage Bodywork or any other nationally recognized certifying examination,' but the Board's current initial-license checklist specifies the MBLEx. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Advisory Board of Massage Therapists (NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) with the $110 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Advisory Board of Massage Therapists (NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification) issues your Massage Therapist for New Hampshire.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $110
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $110
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) [2] $265
Certificate fee [3] $20
License verification fee [3] $10

Per the Board's official fee schedule: $110 application fee (which also covers initial license issuance — no separate license fee is listed) and $110 renewal fee every 2 years. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-05-31 (oplc.nh.gov blocks non-browser fetches).

Renewal & continuing education

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

Per RSA 328-B:7, licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month in the even-numbered year. RSA 328-B:4, VII(j) requires 12 hours of continuing education study over the preceding 2-year period before each renewal. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-06-08 (gc.nh.gov blocks non-browser fetches).

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

RSA 328-B:6.III lets the executive director waive most licensure requirements (except the 18+ age minimum and the no-violent/sexual-conviction requirement) for an applicant who holds a valid license from another state or country whose requirements are substantially equivalent to New Hampshire's. Per the Board's reciprocity checklist, an applicant with 500-749 hours of education (rather than the full 750) may qualify by having worked as a massage therapist for 1 year for each 50 hours short of 750, and must still pass the MBLEx, maintain current CPR/First Aid certification, and submit a written good-standing statement from the state where licensed. New Hampshire 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.

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

Cost calculator

  • $110
  • $265
Total$375

Frequently asked questions

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

750 hours from a massage therapy school meeting NH Administrative Rules (Plc 300).

What exam does New Hampshire require for massage therapist licensure?

The MBLEx, administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).

How much does a New Hampshire massage therapist license cost?

A $110 application fee (which also covers initial licensure) and a $110 renewal fee every 2 years.

Does New Hampshire require continuing education to renew a massage therapy license?

Yes, 12 hours over the preceding 2-year period. Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month in the even-numbered year.

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

Yes, if your out-of-state license was issued under substantially equivalent standards. If you have between 500 and 749 education hours (short of NH's 750-hour standard), you can make up the difference with 1 year of work experience for each 50 hours short, but you'll still need to pass the MBLEx.

Sources

  1. [1] oplc.nh.gov/massage-therapist-initial-license-checklist — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] fsmtb.org/mblex-faqs/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] oplc.nh.gov/advisory-board-massage-therapists-license-fees — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXX/328-B/328-B-mrg.htm — accessed 2026-07-12