Massage Therapist / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts data shows for Massage Therapists

To practice as a massage therapist in Massachusetts, the state licensing board requires 756 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 Massachusetts's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Budget $142 to get started, plus $74 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
57/100
Massage Therapist · Massachusetts

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-
756 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$142
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 Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
756 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$142
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 Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Massachusetts? ▼
In Massachusetts, the license path calls for 756 education/training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), and a $142 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Massachusetts? ▼
To become a licensed massage therapist in Massachusetts, you must meet the state's requirements including 756 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Massachusetts licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts ties continued massage therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $74 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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