Massage Therapist / Arkansas
2026 data Arkansas board official source

Arkansas Massage Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the Arkansas data shows for Massage Therapists

Arkansas sets the entry bar for massage therapists at 493 training hours and a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Arkansas's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Upfront cost is $79, with renewal running $47 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
69/100
Massage Therapist · Arkansas

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training C
493 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B
$79
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$24/yr
$47 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
493 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$79
Renewal Fee
$47
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Massage Therapist All Arkansas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arkansas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Arkansas? ▼
In Arkansas, the license path calls for 493 education/training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), and a $79 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas licenses massage therapists who complete its requirements (493 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Arkansas licensing board.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Arkansas from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for massage therapists nationally works like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Arkansas. Verify the specifics with the Arkansas licensing board.
Does Arkansas require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Arkansas requires a criminal background check as part of the massage therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in Arkansas? ▼
Arkansas ties continued massage therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $47 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

Massage Therapist in Arkansas, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a massage therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Arkansas's massage therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Massage Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state massage therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Arkansas's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Arkansas overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arkansas licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.