Massage Therapist / Delaware
2026 data Delaware board official source

Delaware Massage Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the Delaware data shows for Massage Therapists

Becoming a licensed massage therapist in Delaware means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 701 training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Delaware regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Budget $129 to get started, plus $69 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, massage therapists should know: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
59/100
Massage Therapist · Delaware

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-
701 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$129
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$35/yr
$69 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 Delaware

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
701 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$129
Renewal Fee
$69
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 Delaware licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Delaware licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Delaware? ▼
Delaware requires 701 education/training hours, passing an exam (MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)), and an initial fee of $129. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Delaware? ▼
Delaware licenses massage therapists who complete its requirements (701 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Delaware licensing board.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Delaware from another state? ▼
Massage Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Varies by state — check with state board. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Delaware licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Delaware require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for massage therapist licensing in Delaware. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in Delaware? ▼
To stay licensed as a massage therapist in Delaware, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $69.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

  • See how Delaware'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 Delaware's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Delaware overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Delaware 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.