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

South Dakota Massage Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the South Dakota data shows for Massage Therapists

To practice as a massage therapist in South Dakota, the state licensing board requires 384 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 Dakota's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

The initial price tag is $53, and renewal costs $36 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
74/100
Massage Therapist · South Dakota

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+
384 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A
$53
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$18/yr
$36 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 Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
384 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$53
Renewal Fee
$36
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 Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
In South Dakota, the license path calls for 384 education/training hours, a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), and a $53 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
To become a licensed massage therapist in South Dakota, you must meet the state's requirements including 384 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Dakota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to South Dakota 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 South Dakota licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for massage therapist licensing in South Dakota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota ties continued massage therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $36 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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