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

South Carolina Massage Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the South Carolina data shows for Massage Therapists

To practice as a massage therapist in South Carolina, the state licensing board requires 475 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 South Carolina's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Upfront cost is $75, with renewal running $45 on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
70/100
Massage Therapist · South 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
475 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$23/yr
$45 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 South Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
475 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
$45
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 South Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in South Carolina? ▼
South Carolina requires 475 education/training hours, passing an exam (MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)), and an initial fee of $75. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in South Carolina? ▼
To become a licensed massage therapist in South Carolina, you must meet the state's requirements including 475 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Carolina licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to South Carolina 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 South Carolina licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does South Carolina require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
South Carolina 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 South Carolina? ▼
Licensed massage therapists in South Carolina must complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $45.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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