Massage Therapist / Louisiana
2026 data Louisiana board official source

Louisiana Massage Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the Louisiana data shows for Massage Therapists

Louisiana sets the entry bar for massage therapists at 819 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 Louisiana's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Budget $157 to get started, plus $81 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
55/100
Massage Therapist · Louisiana

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
819 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$157
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$41/yr
$81 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 Louisiana

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
819 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$157
Renewal Fee
$81
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 Louisiana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Louisiana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Louisiana? ▼
Louisiana's requirements cover 819 hours of education or training, the MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $157. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Louisiana? ▼
Louisiana licenses massage therapists who complete its requirements (819 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Louisiana licensing board.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Louisiana 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 Louisiana licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Louisiana require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Louisiana 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 Louisiana? ▼
Licensed massage therapists in Louisiana must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $81.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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