StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in South Dakota

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
500 hrs
Upfront cost
$430
Exam
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
Renewal cycle
Every 1 year
Issuing board
South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (South Dakota Department of Health)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, High school diploma or equivalent. No fingerprint-based criminal background check requirement was found on the Board's licensing pages; the license application form asks applicants to self-disclose felony convictions or crimes involving dishonesty/moral turpitude, but this is a disclosure question rather than a formal background-check process. Applicants must also provide proof of at least $250,000 in professional liability (malpractice) insurance with an absence of professional misconduct. [2]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 500 hours of training at a state-approved program. 500 total hours from a recognized facility, broken down as: 125 hours body systems/anatomy/physiology/kinesiology, 200 hours massage/bodywork assessment/theory/application, 40 hours pathology, 10 hours business and ethics (minimum 6 hours in ethics), and 125 hours additional related training. At least 200 hours of hands-on training must be completed. [1]

  3. 3

    MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)

    Pass the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (fee: $265). South Dakota's Board also accepts three other national exams as alternatives: NCETM ($225) and NCETMB ($225, both legacy NCBTMB exams no longer newly offered but still recognized for licensing purposes), and the NBCA/AMMA Massage Therapy Certification Exam ($275). All are computer-based; candidates register directly with the national exam provider and have scores sent to the Board. [1]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (South Dakota Department of Health) with the $100 application fee. [2]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (South Dakota Department of Health) issues your Licensed Massage Therapist for South Dakota.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $100
License fee [2] $65
Renewal fee [2] $65
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) [1] $265

Per the Board's licensing-requirements page: $100 non-refundable initial application processing fee, plus a $65 annual license fee; renewal is also $65 per year (licenses are annual, not multi-year). Exam fees ($225-$275 depending on exam chosen) are paid directly to the national exam provider, not to the Board, and are tracked separately in the exams entry.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 1 year. 8 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Licenses expire annually on September 30. As of 2026, 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education are required to renew. Online renewal is required; paper renewals are no longer accepted.

Reciprocity

No reciprocity or endorsement route was found.

The Board's own licensing-requirements page states: 'South Dakota does not have a reciprocity application at this time.' Out-of-state licensees must complete the standard application, submitting education verification and current out-of-state license documentation like any other applicant. Per massagecompact.org (checked 2026-07-12), South Dakota does not currently have Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) legislation introduced, so compacts is empty.

3 state-approved training providers in South Dakota — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $100
  • $65
  • $265
Total$430

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does South Dakota require?

500 total hours from a recognized facility, including at least 200 hands-on hours, covering anatomy/physiology/kinesiology, massage theory and application, pathology, and business/ethics.

Which exam do I need to pass?

The Board accepts four national exams: MBLEx ($265), NCETM ($225), NCETMB ($225), or the NBCA/AMMA exam ($275). Most candidates take the MBLEx.

How much does licensure cost?

A $100 non-refundable application fee plus a $65 annual license fee, in addition to the national exam fee paid directly to the exam provider.

How often do I need to renew my license?

Annually, by September 30, with 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education required (as of 2026). Renewal must be completed online.

Is there a reciprocity or endorsement process for out-of-state massage therapists?

No. South Dakota does not have a reciprocity application. Out-of-state licensees must complete the standard application process, submitting their education and license documentation for verification.

Sources

  1. [1] doh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/boards/massage/education-training-examination-requirements/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] doh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/boards/massage/licensing-requirements/ — accessed 2026-07-12