Massage Therapist License Requirements in South Carolina
- Training hours
- 650 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $415
- Exam
- MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 18 years old, High school diploma, high school transcript, or GED, pass a criminal background check. Applicants must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma/transcript or GED, and undergo state and federal criminal history records checks supported by fingerprints (required for initial licensure, endorsement, reinstatement, and as otherwise requested by the Board). Applicants must also speak English as a native language or demonstrate proficiency (e.g. via TOEFL/TSE) to the Board's satisfaction. [4]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 650 hours of training at a state-approved program. As of May 26, 2024, applicants must complete a massage therapy education program of at least 650 hours: Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology (250 hrs, incl. 40 hrs pathology); Massage Theory and Practice (200 hrs); Business and Ethics (85 hrs, incl. 45 hrs professional ethics); Laws (15 hrs, incl. 5 hrs SC-specific law); and Student Clinics (100 hrs, of which at least 75 hrs must be actual full-body massage on the public). Students may not begin student clinics until completing at least 250 hours of coursework. Graduates who completed school before May 26, 2024 may still apply for licensure with 500-hour transcripts (the prior standard); CE hours cannot be used to make up the difference. Program must be approved by the SC Commission on Higher Education (CHE). [1]
- 3
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
Pass the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (fee: $265). The Board's FAQ page confirms applicants must pass the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards Exam (MBLEx); the National Certification Examination (NCE) was accepted only for applicants who passed it before November 1, 2014 and is no longer offered. The $265 fee is FSMTB's published current MBLEx fee, paid directly to FSMTB/Pearson VUE, not to SC LLR. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) with the $150 application fee. [3]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) issues your Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) for South Carolina.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | $150 |
| License fee [3] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [3] | $75 |
| MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) [2] | $265 |
| Endorsement Application (out-of-state licensees) [3] | $200 |
| Reinstatement fee [3] | $210 |
| Duplicate license [3] | $10 |
Per the Board's official fee schedule: Initial Application $150.00, Endorsement Application $200.00, Renewal $75.00, Reinstatement $210.00, Duplicate License $10.00. 'license' is null because LLR does not itemize a separate license-issuance fee beyond the $150 Initial Application fee. The MBLEx exam fee ($265) is paid directly to FSMTB, not LLR, and is tracked separately in the exams entry.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 12 continuing education hours required per cycle.
Licenses renew every even-numbered year by June 30 (a universal expiration date applies to all licensees regardless of initial issue date). Continuing education is waived for a licensee's first renewal; beginning with the second renewal cycle, 12 hours of massage CE are required and must be reported to CE Broker. There is no grace period — an unrenewed license lapses immediately after June 30.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Endorsement is available if the applicant's other-state licensure requirements are at least equal to South Carolina's; the applicant must hold a current license in good standing, pass the required criminal history/fingerprint checks, demonstrate English proficiency, and have passed the MBLEx (or, for pre-November 2014 licensure, the NCE). Per massagecompact.org (checked 2026-07-12), South Carolina does not currently have Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) legislation introduced, so compacts is empty.
8 state-approved training providers in South Carolina — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $150
- $265
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does South Carolina require for a massage therapy license?
As of May 26, 2024, at least 650 hours from a CHE-approved program, covering anatomy/physiology/kinesiology, massage theory and practice, business and ethics, laws, and student clinics. Graduates who finished school before that date may still qualify with 500-hour transcripts.
What exam do I need to pass?
The MBLEx (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards exam), administered at Pearson VUE test centers. The prior National Certification Examination (NCE) is no longer offered.
How much does it cost to get licensed in South Carolina?
The Initial Application fee is $150, plus the $265 MBLEx exam fee paid directly to FSMTB. Renewal is $75 every two years.
How often do I need to renew, and is continuing education required?
Licenses renew every even-numbered year by June 30. CE is waived for your first renewal; after that, 12 hours of massage CE are required each cycle and must be reported to CE Broker.
Can I get licensed in South Carolina if I'm already licensed in another state?
Yes, via endorsement, if your home state's requirements are at least equal to South Carolina's, you hold a license in good standing, pass required background checks, and have passed the MBLEx (or NCE if licensed before November 1, 2014).
Sources
- [1] llr.sc.gov/mas/faq.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
- [2] fsmtb.org/mblex-faqs/ — accessed 2026-07-12
- [3] llr.sc.gov/mas/fees.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
- [4] llr.sc.gov/mas/licensure.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12