Massage Therapist / Montana
2026 data Montana board official source

Montana Massage Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the Montana data shows for Massage Therapists

Montana's path to massage therapist licensure runs through 837 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Montana folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Budget $161 to get started, plus $83 at each renewal 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
54/100
Massage Therapist · Montana

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
837 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$161
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$42/yr
$83 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 Montana

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
837 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$161
Renewal Fee
$83
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 Montana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Montana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Montana? ▼
Montana's requirements cover 837 hours of education or training, the MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $161. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Montana? ▼
To become a licensed massage therapist in Montana, you must meet the state's requirements including 837 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Montana licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Montana from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for massage therapists: Varies by state — check with state board. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Montana licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Montana require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Montana 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 Montana? ▼
Montana ties continued massage therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $83 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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