Massage Therapist / New York
2026 data New York board official source

New York Massage Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the New York data shows for Massage Therapists

Becoming a licensed massage therapist in New York means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 725 training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. New York regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Upfront cost is $134, with renewal running $71 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
58/100
Massage Therapist · New York

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-
725 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$134
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$36/yr
$71 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 New York

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
725 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$134
Renewal Fee
$71
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 New York licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in New York? ▼
In New York, the license path calls for 725 education/training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), and a $134 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in New York? ▼
Certification as a massage therapist in New York means clearing the state's checklist: 725 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The New York licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to New York 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 New York licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New York require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the massage therapist licensing process in New York. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in New York? ▼
To stay licensed as a massage therapist in New York, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $71.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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