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Guide to State Massage Therapy Regulations

Guide to State Massage Therapy Regulations

Alabama	Louisiana	Ohio
Alaska	Maine	Oklahoma
Arizona	Maryland	Oregon
Arkansas	Massachusetts	Pennsylvania
California	Michigan	Rhode Island
Colorado	Minnesota	South Carolina
Connecticut	Mississippi	South Dakota
Delaware	Missouri	Tennessee
Florida	Montana	Texas
Georgia	Nebraska	Utah
Hawaii	Nevada	Vermont
Idaho	New Hampshire	Virginia
Illinois	New Jersey	Washington
Indiana	New Mexico	Washington, D.C.
Iowa	New York	West Virginia
Kansas	North Carolina	Wisconsin
Kentucky	North Dakota	Wyoming

Helpful Information:

The most commonly used national licensing exams for massage therapists are the exams from the FSMTB ( Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) which administers the MBLEx exam and the two exams from the NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork) which are the NCETMB and the NCETM.

The NCBTMB also offers an option to the NCETM and NCETMB exams called the NESL which was adopted for states that use NCBTMB exams, but do not require applicants for licensure to become certified by NCBTMB.

All of the continuing education home study courses offered on our website have been approved by the NCBTMB. Most have also been approved by the State of Florida. AMTA and ABMP accept continuing education home study courses that are NCBTMB approved.

To maintain certification, the NCBTMB requires you to complete 48 hours of continuing education every 4 years, 6 of which must be in professional Ethics. All of the CE hours for recertification can be from home study courses. Two of the six hours of Ethics must be in Standard V – Roles and Boundaries. The ethics requirement can be met by taking the 6 hour course "Ethics & Professionalism" from Massage Review Publications which is offered on this website.

As of Summer 2010, California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, and Pennsylvania are in the process of implementing their massage therapy regulations. Be sure to check their websites for new information.

The following states do not currently regulate massage therapy or require CE hours: Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Vermont, and Rhode Island. Check with your county and/or city authorities for local regulations.

Select any of the following links to reach the website of the following organizations: FSMTB ( Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards), NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork), AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association), and ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals).

Some of the acronyms used in this guide are:

ABTE – Asian Bodywork Therapy Exam
COMTA – Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
FSMTB – Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards
MBLEX – Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination
NCBTMB – National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
NCETM – National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage
NESL – National Examination for State Licensing
NCETMB – National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
NCCA – National Commission for Certifying Agencies
NCCAM – National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
NCCAOM – National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

Please note that this guide represents the most recent revisions of laws and regulations compiled for each of the states as June 2010. This compilation is being shown as a general guide for assistance to massage therapists and massage students when making decisions regarding licensing and continuing education requirements of the various states. Laws and regulations are subject to differing interpretation and this compilation is not intended as legal advice. Each state’s website provides you with the information needed to determine licensure and approval of home study continuing education courses and you are encouraged to visit your state board’s website for more information. Any specific questions you have about your state’s requirements that are not answered on their website should be referred to your state board.

State Board	Education Requirements	Exam	Continuing Education and Renewal	CE Courses Accepted
Alabama Massage Therapy Board 610 S. McDonough St. Montgomery, AL 36104 Ph:334-269-9990 Fax: 334-263-611 Website	650 hours from board approved massage therapy school	NCETMB	16 hours every 2 years	CE providers and courses must be approved by the board.
Alaska - No regulation at this time. Be sure to check with your city/county for local requirements.
Arizona Board of Massage Therapy 1400 West Washington, Suite 300 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Phone:602-542-8604 Fax: 602- 542-8804 Website	700 hours from accredited massage therapy school	NCETMB	25 hours every 2 years	Approved CE courses include all NCBTMB approved courses 12 hours from distance learning/correspondence (home study) classes are allowed in each renewal period.
Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy PO Box 2019 Little Rock, AR 72203 Ph: 501-520-0555 Fax:501-623-4130 Website	500 hours from board accepted massage therapy school	MBLEx and Arkansas Law Exam	18 hours every 2 years	CE providers and courses must be approved by the board.
California Massage Therapy Council One Capitol Mall, Suite 320 Sacramento, CA 95814 Ph: 916-669-5336 FAX: 916-444-7462 Website	Massage Practitioner: 250 hours Massage Therapist: 500 hours	NCETMB or MBLEX	To Be Determined	At present, there are a number of "portals" to entry in California resulting in state licensure as either a Massage Practitioner or Massage Therapist. Please review the website to determine which portal applies to your individual situation.
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies 1560 Broadway Ste 1350 Denver, CO 80202 Ph:303-894-7800 FAX:303-894-7693 Website	500 hours from an approved massage school	NCBTMB or MBLEx	To be Determined	Must be registered by April 1, 2009. Renewal will be on Jan 31, 2011.
Connecticut Department of Public Health Massage Therapy Licensure 410 Capitol Avenue Hartford, CT 06134 Ph: 860-509-7603 FAX:860-509-8457 Website	500 hours from an accredited school	NCETMB	24 hours every 4 years	CE "Approved provider" specifically includes NCBTMB approved providers. 6 hours from distance/correspondence classes are allowed in renewal period.
Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork Cannon Building, #203 861 Silver Lake Blvd Dover, DE 19904 Ph: 302-744-4500 Fax: 302-739-2711 Website	500 hrs, exam – License for Massage Therapist 300 hrs – Certified Massage Technician	NCBTMB	LMT-24 hours every 2 years CMT-12 hours every 2 years	All NCBTMB and AMTA approved courses are approved. Licenses expire on August 31 in even numbered years.
District of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy Department of Health 717 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20005 Ph: 877-672-2174 Fax:202-727-8471 Website	500 hours from Board approved or accredited school	NCETMB or MBLEx	12 hours every 2 years	All NCBTMB approved courses are approved. of which 6 hours per renewal period can be distance learning. Three (3) hours of professional ethics are required in renewal period.
Florida Board of Massage Therapy Florida Department of Health, Medical Quality Assurance PO Box 6330 Tallahassee, FL 32314 Ph: 850-245-4161 Fax:-850-921-6184 Website	500 hours from Board approved school	NCETMB, NCETM, NESL, or MBLEx	24 hours every 2 years	CE Courses must be approved by the board. (Many CE providers, including those found on our website obtain Florida approval because of the large number of massage therapists in Florida.)
Georgia Board of Massage Therapy 237 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217 Phone:478.207.2440 Fax: 478.207.1663 Website	500 hours from Board approved school	NCETMB, NCETM, or MBLEx	24 hours every 2 years	Renewal period ends Oct 31 in even numbered years. CE courses must be NCBTMB approved. Beginning in renewal period Oct 31, 2010, 12 hours must be "direct, hands on, supervised instruction."
Hawaii State Board of Massage Therapy Dept of Commerce & Consumer Affairs P.O. Box 3469 1010 Richards St. Honolulu, HI 96801 Ph: 808-587-3222 Website	570 hours from approved school (See website for apprenticeship details)	Hawaii State Exam	No CE required.	License renewal every June 30 in each even numbered year.
Idaho - No regulation at this time. Be sure to check with your city/county for local requirements.
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation Massage Therapy Licensure 320 W Washington Street, Fl 3 Springfield, IL 62786 Phone:217-782-8556 Fax: 217-782-7645 Website	500 hours	NCETMB	24 hours every 2 years	Approved CE "Sponsors" include NCBTMB approved entities. License renewal every December 31 in each even numbered year. 2 hours Ethics required each renewal period Maximum of 12 hours in self study program
Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy Professional Licensing Agency State Board of Massage Therapy 402 W Washington St, Room W072 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 Phone:317-234-2051 Website	500 hours Grandfathering expires July 1, 2010	NCETMB, NCETM, MBLEx, or AMMANCE	To be determined	Renewal every 4 years with date to be determined by board
Iowa Board of Massage Therapy Iowa Dept of Public Health Lucas State Office Bldg Fl 5 321 E. 12th St Des Moines, IA 50319 Ph: 515-281-6959 Fax:515-281-3121 Website	500 hours from board approved school	NCETMB, NCETM, NESL or MBLEx	24 hours every 2 years	Maximum of 12 hours in content areas that are programs of learning which contribute directly to professional competency and enhance the practice of the licensee. Maximum of 6 hours in independent study. Minimum of 12 hours need to be "direct, hands-on" study.
Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy P.O. Box 1360 Frankfort, KY 40602 Phone:502-564-3296 Fax: 502-564-4818 Website	600 hours from board approved school	NCETMB or NCCA approved certifying exam	24 hours every 2 years	Minimum of 3 hours of the required 24 must be in professional ethics. All NCBTMB, AMTA, NCCAOM, AOBTA, and ABMP approved courses are approved by Kentucky.
Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy 12022 Plank Road Baton Rouge, LA 70811 Phone:225-771-4090 Fax:225-771-4021 Website	500 hours	NCETMB, MBLEx, or NCCA approved	12 hours every year	CE providers and courses must be approved by the board.
Maine Massage Therapy Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Licensing & Registration 35 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 Ph: 207-624-8626 Fax: 207-624-8637 Website	500 hours from a state approved school OR pass NCETMB or MBLEx exam	NCETMB or MBLEx	No CE required	Annual renewal of license
Maryland Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners 4201 Patterson Ave., 5th floor Baltimore, MD 21215-2299 Ph: 410-764-4738 Fax: 410-358-1879 Website	Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT): 500 hrs + 60 college credits and exams Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP): 500 hrs and exams	NCETMB or NCCAOM AND State Jurisprudence exam	24 hours every 2 years.	Approved CE courses include all NCBTMB approved courses License renewal every December 31 in each even numbered year. Minimum of 3 hours in professional ethics, 3 hours in communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and minimum of 18 hours in massage related courses.
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy 239 Causeway Street, Suite 500 Boston, MA 02114 Ph: 617-727-1747 Fax: 617-727-0139 Website	500 hours from board approved school 650 hours AFTER May 1, 2010	No exam at present	To be Determined
Michigan - No regulation at this time. Be sure to check with your city/county for local requirements.
Minnesota - No regulation at this time. Be sure to check with your city/county for local requirements.
Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy P.O. Box 20 Morton, MS 39117 Ph: 601-732-6038 Website	700 hours from an accredited school + CPR and First Aid	State Exam orNCETMB, or MBLEx AND State Law Exam (for out of state)	24 hours every 2 years	CE providers and courses must be approved by the board.
Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage Division of Professional Registration 3605 Missouri Blvd. P.O. Box 1335 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Ph: 573-522-6277 Fax: 573-751-0735 Website	500 hours from a Board approved school	NCETMB, NCETM, NCCAOM, AMMANCBE, or MBLEx	12 hours every 2 years	12 hours of CE "relevant to the practice of massage therapy" are required. There are no other restrictions.
Montana Board of Massage Therapy Ph: 406-841-2394 Website	If not grandfathered in, you will need 500 hours from approved massage therapy school and an exam.	TBD	TBD	License is required by July 1, 2010 Grandfathering expires July 1, 2012. Forms are available on website
Nebraska Massage Therapy Board Health and Human Services Regulation & Licensing – Credentialing Division P.O. Box 94986 Lincoln, NE 68509 Ph: (402) 471-2115 Fax: (402) 471-3577 Website	1000 hours	NCETMB	24 hours every 2 years	Renewal November 1 of each odd numbered year Up to 10 hours of board approved home study on specific topic areas is allowed. Minimum of 14 hours of "hands on " instruction
Nevada Board of Massage Therapy 1755 E. Plumb Lane Suite 252 Reno, NV 89502 Ph:775-688-1888 or 101 Convention Center Dr. Ste 803 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Ph:702-486-2212 Website	500 hours	NCETM, NESL, NCETMB, or MBLEx	12 hours per year	All NCBTMB, AMTA, and ABMP approved courses are approved.
New Hampshire Office of Program Support, Licensing & Regulative Services Board of Massage Therapy 129 Pleasant St Concord, NH 03301 Ph: 603-271-4814 Fax: 603-271-5590 Website	750 hours plus CPR & adult first aid	NCETMB or MBLEx	12 hours every 2 years	NCBTMB approved courses, including home study courses, are approved.
New Jersey Board of Nursing Massage, Bodywork & Somatic Therapy Examining Committee 124 Halsey Street PO Box 45010 Newark, NJ 07102 Ph: 973-504-6430 Fax: 973-648-3481 Website	500 hours	NCETMB OR NCCAOM Exam	20 hours every 2 years	Approved CE courses include all NCBTMB approved courses
New Mexico Massage Therapy Board 2550 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, NM 87505 Ph: 505-476-4870 Fax: 505-476-4645 Website	650 hours from a Board approved school	NCBTMB, MBLEx and State Jurisprudence exam	16 hours every 2 years	All NCBTMB approved courses are accepted. Renewal on Oct 31 every 2 years. The year of renewal is based upon the year of initial license issuance.
New York State Board of Massage Therapy Office of the Professions Division of Professional Licensing Services 89 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12234 Ph: 518-474-3817 ext. 150 Fax: 518-486-2981 Website	1000 hours plus CPR	State exam which is given in Jan and Aug each year	None required	If licensed in another state and meet educational and other requirements and passed NCETMB, you may qualify for NY license.
North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy P.O. Box 2539 Raleigh, NC 27602 Ph: 919-546-0050 Fax:919 833-1059 Website	500 hours from an approved school	NCETMB, NCETM, MBLEx, or NCCAOM exam (OBTE)	24 hours every 2 years	All NCBTMB approved courses are accepted. Maximum of 12 hrs home study (distance education) Minimum of 3 hours ethics required. Renewal application postmarked by Nov 1 preceding Dec 31 expiration date shown on license.
North Dakota State Board of Massage P.O. Box 218 Beach, ND 58621 Ph: 701-872-4895 Website	750 hours plus CPR	NCETMB	32 hours every 2 years	Courses must be pre-approved by board. Maximum of 12 hours of distance education.
Ohio State Medical Board Massage Licensing Division 77 South High St., 17th floor Columbus, OH 43266 Ph: -614-466-3934 Fax: (614) 728-5946 Website	Minimum of 9 months and 750 hours	State exam given in June & Dec each year	None required	See the website for info on content of the Ohio state exam.
Oklahoma - No regulation at this time. Be sure to check with your city/county for local requirements.
Oregon Board of Massage 748 Hawthorne Ave NE Salem, OR 97301 Ph: 503-365-8657 Fax: 503-385-4465 Website	500 hours	NCETM, NCETMB, or MBLEx and state practical exam	25 hours every 2 years + Current CPR	Courses can be NCBTMB approved home study courses. Maximum of 13 hours home study CE courses
Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy P.O. Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105 Ph: 717-783-7155 Fax: 717-787-7769 Website	Massage Therapy law becomes effective in Oct 2010.	See website	To be determined	See "Massage Therapy Notice" on website for "Special Notice: Existing Practitioner" provisions for licensure.
Rhode Island Department of Health Office of Health Professional Regulation 3 Capitol Hill, Room 104 Providence, RI 02908 Ph: 401-222-2827 Fax: 401-222-1272 Website	500 hours from a state approved/accredited school + First Aid and CPR	NCETMB or NCETM	None required	Renewal of license yearly by June 30
South Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy PO Box 11329 Columbia, SC 29211 Ph: 803-896-4501 Fax: 803-896-4525 Website	500 hours from an approved school	NCETMB or MBLEx	12 hours every 2 years	NCBTMB approved courses are accepted
South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy P.O. Box 1062 Sioux Falls, SD 57101 Ph: 605-271-7103 Fax: 605-331-2043 Website	500 hrs	NCETMB, NCETM, NESL, or AMMANCE	8 hours every 2 years	NCBTMB approved courses are accepted Self-study CE activities are not allowed unless testing or examination with formal, recorded passing scores are obtained.
Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure 227 French Landing Heritage Place Metro Center Nashville, TN 37243 Ph: 615-532-3202 ext. 32111 800-778-4123 ext. 32111 Fax: 615- 532-5164 Website	500 hours from an approved school	NCETMB or MBLEx	25 hours every 2 years	NCBTMB approved courses are accepted except for the required 2 hours of CE pertaining to Tennessee statutes and rules
Texas Department of Health Services Massage Therapy Licensing Program PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1982 Austin TX 78714 Ph: 512-834-6616 Fax: 512-834-6677 Website	500 hours from an approved school	NCBTMB, or MBLEx and Jurisprudence Exam	12 hours every 2 years	Online & correspondence CE in "non-technique" subjects is acceptable if taught or presented by persons with licensure, registration, or education in the subject being presented. CE completed out of state is accepted if it is NCBTMB approved
Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing Board of Massage Therapy 160 East 300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84145 Ph: 801-530-6628 Fax: 801-530-6511 Website	600 hours from an approved school, or complete massage apprenticeship program	NCETMB, or MBLEx and State Exam	No CE required	Renewal by May 31 of each odd numbered year
Vermont - No regulation at this time. Be sure to check with your city/county for local requirements.
Virginia Board of Nursing 9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 300 Henrico, Virginia 23233 Ph: 804-367-4403 FAX: 804-527-4466 Website	500 hours from an approved school	NCETM or NCETMB	24 hours every 2 years	Renewal by last day of birth month. Renewal in even numbered years if birth year even, odd numbered years if birth year odd. A minimum of 12 of the 24 hours must be NCBTMB approved CE. A minimum of 1 hour of CE must be in Ethics.
Washington State Department of Health-Board of Massage (with fees) Dept. of Health PO Box 1099 Olympia WA 98507 (without fee) Board of Massage PO Box 47877 Olympia WA 98504 Ph: 360-236-4700 Website	500 hours from a state approved school or from approved apprenticeship	NCETMB or MBLEx and Jurisprudence Exam	24 hours every 2 years (beginning 2010) (16 hours if due from 2008-2010; 16 hours if due from 2009-2011; and 24 hours if due from 2010-2012)	CE must include: * a minimum of eight hours in direct supervised massage skills training; * a minimum of four hours in professional ethics, communication, and/or Washington State massage laws and regulations. Two of these hours must include professional roles and boundaries. * 12 hours that involve the direct application of massage therapy knowledge, skills and business practices. Maximum of 12 CE hours of distance learning per renewal period Board does not mandate specific classes to take for CE
West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board 179 Summers Street Suite 711 Charleston, WV 25301 Ph: 304-558-1060 Fax: 304-558-1061 Website	500 hours	NCETMB MBLEx	24 hours every 2 years	All NCBTMB approved courses, including home study courses, are accepted.
Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing Massage Therapy Board 1400 E. Washington Ave. Madison, WI 53703 Ph: 608-266-2112 Fax: 608-261-7083 Website	600 hours from an approved school	NCETM, NCETMB, or NCCAOM exam (ABTE) and State exam	None required at this time	CPR required for renewal. Renewal by Feb 28 every 2 years in each odd year.
Wyoming - No regulation at this time. Be sure to check with your city/county for local requirements.

Phone: 954.578.5055 Fax: 954.578.5043

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