Massage Therapist / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina 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 North Carolina data shows for Massage Therapists

North Carolina's path to massage therapist licensure runs through 629 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. North Carolina folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

The initial price tag is $111, and renewal costs $61 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
62/100
Massage Therapist · North Carolina

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-
629 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$111
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$31/yr
$61 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 North Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
629 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$111
Renewal Fee
$61
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 North Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina's requirements cover 629 hours of education or training, the MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $111. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in North Carolina? ▼
Certification as a massage therapist in North Carolina means clearing the state's checklist: 629 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The North Carolina licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
For massage therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the North Carolina licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for massage therapist licensing in North Carolina. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in North Carolina? ▼
Licensed massage therapists in North Carolina must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $61.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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