Massage Therapist / Ohio
2026 data Ohio board official source

Ohio 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the Ohio data shows for Massage Therapists

To practice as a massage therapist in Ohio, the state licensing board requires 674 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 Ohio's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Budget $122 to get started, plus $66 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
60/100
Massage Therapist · Ohio

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-
674 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$122
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$33/yr
$66 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 Ohio

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
674 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$122
Renewal Fee
$66
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 Ohio licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Ohio licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Ohio? ▼
Ohio requires 674 education/training hours, passing an exam (MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)), and an initial fee of $122. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Ohio? ▼
Certification as a massage therapist in Ohio means clearing the state's checklist: 674 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Ohio licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Ohio from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for massage therapists nationally works like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Ohio. Verify the specifics with the Ohio licensing board.
Does Ohio require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Ohio 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 Ohio? ▼
Licensed massage therapists in Ohio must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $66.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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