Massage Therapist / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois 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 Illinois data shows for Massage Therapists

To practice as a massage therapist in Illinois, the state licensing board requires 946 documented education or training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Illinois's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

The initial price tag is $187, and renewal costs $94 every 2 years. 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.

For massage therapists, the reciprocity picture is: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
52/100
Massage Therapist · Illinois

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 D
946 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$187
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$47/yr
$94 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
946 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$187
Renewal Fee
$94
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 Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Illinois? ▼
In Illinois, the license path calls for 946 education/training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), and a $187 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Illinois? ▼
Certification as a massage therapist in Illinois means clearing the state's checklist: 946 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Illinois 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 Illinois licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Illinois does require a background check before issuing a massage therapist license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in Illinois? ▼
To stay licensed as a massage therapist in Illinois, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $94.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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