Massage Therapist / Mississippi
2026 data Mississippi board official source

Mississippi 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 Mississippi data shows for Massage Therapists

Mississippi sets the entry bar for massage therapists at 529 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 Mississippi's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

The initial price tag is $88, and renewal costs $51 every 2 years. 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

B-
Licensing Ease Score
67/100
Massage Therapist · Mississippi

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
529 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C+
$88
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$26/yr
$51 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 Mississippi

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
529 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$88
Renewal Fee
$51
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 Mississippi licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Mississippi licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Mississippi? ▼
Mississippi requires 529 education/training hours, passing an exam (MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)), and an initial fee of $88. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Mississippi? ▼
To become a licensed massage therapist in Mississippi, you must meet the state's requirements including 529 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Mississippi licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Mississippi 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 Mississippi licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Mississippi require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Mississippi requires a criminal background check as part of the massage therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in Mississippi? ▼
Mississippi ties continued massage therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $51 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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