Written by: Jenn Hall | October 2025
Individuals must complete a combination of “classroom” learning and hands-on training prior to taking a licensing exam. State licensing requirements for massage therapists vary by state; however, most states will require massage therapists to pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).
State requirements for massage therapy
This information is accurate as of October 6, 2025. Please visit the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards to verify the requirements for your state prior to applying for a massage therapy license.
- Alabama: Min. 650 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Alaska: Min. 625 hours of education, 2 hours of safety education on bloodborne pathogens and universal precautions, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Arizona: Min. 700 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Arkansas: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- California: Min. 500 hours of education, voluntary certification – no exam required, renewal every 2 years
- Colorado: Min. 650 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Connecticut Min. 750 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 4 years
- Delaware: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- District of Columbia: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Florida: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years (Note: Although our program does not meet the requirements for licensure in Florida, some students choose to obtain their licensure in Colorado and then submit an endorsement application in Florida to obtain a license in this state)
- Georgia: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Hawaii: Min. 570 hours of education, state exam, renewal every 2 years
- Idaho: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years (Note: Although our program does not meet the requirements for licensure in Idaho, some students choose to obtain their licensure in Colorado and then submit an endorsement application in Idaho to obtain a license in this state)
- Illinois: Min. 600 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Indiana: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 4 years
- Iowa: Min. 600 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Kansas: Not regulated by state; local rules apply
- Kentucky:Min. 600 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Louisiana: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every year
- Maine: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every year
- Maryland Min. 750 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Massachusetts: Min. 650 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every year
- Michigan: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 3 years
- Minnesota: Not regulated by state; local rules apply
- Mississippi: Min. 700 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every year
- Missouri: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Montana: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Nebraska: Min. 1000 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Nevada: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- New Hampshire: Min. 750 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- New Jersey: Min. 600 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- New Mexico: Min. 650 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- New York: Min. 750 hours of education, state exam, renewal every 3 years
- North Carolina: Min. 650 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- North Dakota: Min. 750 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Ohio: Min. 600 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Oklahoma: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Oregon: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Pennsylvania: Min. 600 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Puerto Rico: Min. 1000 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 3 years
- Rhode Island: Min. 800 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- South Carolina: Min. 650 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- South Dakota: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every year
- Tennessee: Min. 650 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Texas: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- U.S. Virgin Islands: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every year
- Utah: Min. 600 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Vermont: Registration, no exam required, renewal every 2 years
- Virginia: Min. 500 hours of education, MBLEx, state registration required, renewal every 2 years
- Washington: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- West Virginia: Min. 625 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Wisconsin: Min. 600 hours of education, MBLEx, renewal every 2 years
- Wyoming Not regulated by state; local rules apply
Ready to get started with a career as a Massage Therapist? Check out our Massage Therapist training program!
Licensing requirements for massage therapy professionals are not the same in every state and may include additional requirements beyond those offered in our course. Prospective students should contact the professional licensing board in the state(s) where they plan to work to confirm their licensing requirements before enrolling in this course. In the absence of state regulation, county or municipal ordinances and regulations could be in place, and prospective students should check with their local areas. Residents of AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, MO, NC, ND, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI, and WV will not be able to gain licensure as a result of this program. Many states recognize massage licenses issued by another state and offer licensure through reciprocity, so a prospective student may wish to explore obtaining license in another state that can transfer to their home state (provided the home state offers licensure through reciprocity). Students may also choose to take the course for avocational reasons.
Please visit the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) for links to individual state licensing boards.