💆 Massage Therapist License Requirements by State

Compare massage therapist license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 47 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level massage therapist license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $195–$195. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$195	$43,378
AKAlaska	Required	—	$195	$61,826
AZArizona	Required	—	$195	$48,364
ARArkansas	Required	—	$195	$41,882
CACalifornia	Required	—	$195	$68,806
COColorado	Required	—	$195	$53,848
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$195	$57,338
DEDelaware	Required	—	$195	$49,860
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$195	$63,820
FLFlorida	Required	—	$195	$47,865
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$195	$46,369
HIHawaii	Required	—	$195	$67,311
IDIdaho	Required	—	$195	$46,868
ILIllinois	Required	—	$195	$52,353
INIndiana	Required	—	$195	$45,372
IAIowa	Required	—	$195	$44,375
KSKansas	Not Required	—	—	$44,375
KYKentucky	Required	—	$195	$44,375
LALouisiana	Required	—	$195	$44,874
MEMaine	Required	—	$195	$48,364
MDMaryland	Required	—	$195	$54,347
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$195	$60,829
MIMichigan	Required	—	$195	$46,868
MNMinnesota	Not Required	—	—	$51,854
MSMississippi	Required	—	$195	$41,383
MOMissouri	Required	—	$195	$44,874
MTMontana	Required	—	$195	$47,865
NENebraska	Required	—	$195	$44,874
NVNevada	Required	—	$195	$50,857
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$195	$51,854
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$195	$58,834
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$195	$45,372
NYNew York	Required	—	$195	$64,818
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$195	$45,871
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$195	$47,367
OHOhio	Required	—	$195	$45,871
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$195	$43,378
OROregon	Required	—	$195	$54,846
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$195	$48,862
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$195	$51,355
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$195	$45,372
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$195	$43,876
TNTennessee	Required	—	$195	$44,874
TXTexas	Required	—	$195	$46,868
UTUtah	Required	—	$195	$48,364
VTVermont	Not Required	—	—	$50,358
VAVirginia	Required	—	$195	$50,857
WAWashington	Required	—	$195	$58,834
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$195	$42,879
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$195	$46,868
WYWyoming	Not Required	—	—	$47,367

Common questions about massage therapist licensing

Do all states require a massage therapist license?

No — 47 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level massage therapist license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a massage therapist license?

Application fees across the states range $195–$195. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a massage therapist license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.