Massage Therapist / Texas
2026 data Texas board official source

Texas 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.

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Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the Texas data shows for Massage Therapists

Texas's path to massage therapist licensure runs through 683 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. Texas folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Budget $124 to get started, plus $67 at each renewal 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
60/100
Massage Therapist · Texas

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-
683 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$124
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$34/yr
$67 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 Texas

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
683 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$124
Renewal Fee
$67
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 Texas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Texas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Texas? ▼
Texas's requirements cover 683 hours of education or training, the MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam) exam, and an initial fee of $124. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Texas? ▼
Certification as a massage therapist in Texas means clearing the state's checklist: 683 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Texas licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Texas 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 Texas licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Texas require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, Texas requires a criminal background check as part of the massage therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in Texas? ▼
Texas ties continued massage therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $67 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

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

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

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