Massage Therapist / Florida
2026 data Florida board official source

Florida 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 Florida data shows for Massage Therapists

Florida sets the entry bar for massage therapists at 746 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 Florida's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Upfront cost is $139, with renewal running $74 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
57/100
Massage Therapist · Florida

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-
746 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$139
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$37/yr
$74 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 Florida

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
746 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$139
Renewal Fee
$74
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 Florida licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Florida licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Florida? ▼
In Florida, the license path calls for 746 education/training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), and a $139 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Florida? ▼
To become a licensed massage therapist in Florida, you must meet the state's requirements including 746 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Florida licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Florida from another state? ▼
For massage therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Florida licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Florida require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the massage therapist licensing process in Florida. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in Florida? ▼
To stay licensed as a massage therapist in Florida, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $74.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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