Massage Therapist / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania 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.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for Massage Therapists

Pennsylvania's path to massage therapist licensure runs through 710 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. Pennsylvania folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

The initial price tag is $131, and renewal costs $70 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.

On reciprocity, massage therapists should know: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
59/100
Massage Therapist · Pennsylvania

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-
710 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$131
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$35/yr
$70 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 Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
710 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$131
Renewal Fee
$70
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 Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania's requirements cover 710 hours of education or training, the MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $131. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Pennsylvania? ▼
Certification as a massage therapist in Pennsylvania means clearing the state's checklist: 710 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the massage therapist licensing process in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania ties continued massage therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $70 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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