How do I become a licensed Massage Therapist?

Typically: complete the required pre-license education, pass a criminal background check, register with the exam vendor, pass the state exam, and pay the license fee. Exact requirements vary by state — see the table below for your state.

How hard is the Massage Therapist exam?

First-attempt pass rates vary by state (where published). The exam usually has a national portion and a state-specific portion, both of which you must pass. Study time and practice volume are the strongest predictors of passing.

Can my license transfer to another state?

Reciprocity varies by occupation and state. Some states honor licenses from listed states; others require additional exams or education. Check the reciprocity note for your state or contact both state boards.

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Massage Therapist — License Requirements by State

Provides therapeutic massage. Most states license via MBLEx (FSMTB) or state exam.

51 of 51 states populated with official data (retrieved 2026-08-20).

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State	Education	Exam	Pass %	Fees	Retake	Reciprocity	Official
AL	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
AK	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
AZ	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	—
AR	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy ↗
CA	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) ↗
CO	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Colorado State Board of Massage Therapy ↗
CT	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Connecticut Department of Public Health — Massage Therapy ↗
DE	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork ↗
DC	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	DC Board of Massage Therapy ↗
FL	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Florida Board of Massage Therapy ↗
GA	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Georgia State Board of Massage Therapy ↗
HI	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy ↗
ID	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Idaho State Board of Massage Therapy ↗
IL	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Massage Therapy ↗
IN	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
IA	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Iowa Board of Massage Therapy ↗
KS	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
KY	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy ↗
LA	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy ↗
ME	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Maine State Board of Massage Therapy ↗
MD	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners ↗
MA	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy ↗
MI	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Michigan Board of Massage Therapy ↗
MN	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MS	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy ↗
MO	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MT	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Montana Board of Massage Therapy ↗
NE	1000 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — Massage Therapy ↗
NV	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	—
NH	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	New Hampshire Board of Massage Therapy ↗
NJ	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	New Jersey Board of Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy ↗
NM	650 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	New Mexico Board of Massage Therapy ↗
NY	1000 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	New York State Education Department — Massage Therapy ↗
NC	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy ↗
ND	750 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	—
OH	750 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Ohio State Medical Board — Massage Therapy ↗
OK	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
OR	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	—
PA	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy ↗
RI	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Rhode Island Board of Massage Therapy ↗
SC	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	South Carolina Board of Massage/Bodywork Therapy ↗
SD	—	—	—	—	—	—	South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation — Massage Therapy ↗
TN	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure ↗
TX	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — Massage Therapy ↗
UT	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Utah Division of Professional Licensing — Massage Therapy ↗
VT	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
VA	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Virginia Board of Nursing — Massage Therapy ↗
WA	700 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Washington State Department of Health — Massage Therapy ↗
WV	500 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	—
WI	600 hrs	—	—	—	—	—	Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services — Massage Therapy ↗
WY	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Data retrieved 2026-08-20 from state boards, PSI, Pearson VUE and CMS. Requirements change — verify with your state board before enrolling or paying. Dash (—) = not published / pending verification.

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