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States A-M
ALABAMA
Designation: LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Alabama State Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: $25.00 License, $160 Practical, Renewal $100 every 2 Years
Establishment License: Required
Liability Insurance: Required prior to licensing
Entry Level Education Requirements: 650 Hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 16 CEU every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB Board Certification
Other Licensure Requirements: Background Check, Photo
Classification: Healthcare Provider
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: Breasts & buttocks must always be covered at all times
Massage Magazine Alabama Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Data: Average: $49,869, Birmingham-Hoover Average $50,391
Number of Practitioners: 1,400
alaska
Designation: LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Alaska State Board of Massage Therapists
Fees: Application Fee $200, License Fee $290, Fingerprinting $60. All licenses expire on 9/30 of odd numbered years. Renewal - if your license was issued on or before September 30th of even numbered years you will pay $290. If your license was issued on or after October 1st of even numbered years, then your fee is $145 + Fingerprinting each renewal - $60.00
Establishment Licensing: Required
Liability Insurance: Not required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 625 Hours
Apprenticeship Programs: Available by Board Approval
Continuing Education Requirements: 16 CEU every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB (If taken prior to 2015)
Other Licensure Requirements: Background Check, CPR, Fingerprints, Bloodborne Pathogens Training Course
Classification: Healthcare Providers
Insurance Billing: Premera Blue Cross, Federal Blue Cross, Aetna & Local Aetna, IBEW & ASEA, VA, EBMP (most plans cover 20 massages / 20 chiro visits per year), Workman’s Comp, Auto Accidents, HSA Cards
Draping Regulation: In a way that ensures the safety, comfort, and privacy of client
Alaska AMTA Chapter (Page is not up currently up to date)
Massage Magazine Alaska Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Data: Average: $62,128
Number of Practitioners: 1,097
*Verified and Updated 9/28/2022
arizona
Designation: LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: $217 Initial + $25 for wall certificate, Renewal $95 every 2 Years
Massage Establishment Licensure: Required
Liability Insurance: Not required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 700 Hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 24 Hours every 2 Years (On Pause)
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB (If US Dept. of Education accredited school, no exam required, no exam required for in-state graduates to practice)
Other Licensure Requirements: Background Check, Fingerprints
Classification: Healthcare Provider
Insurance Billing: Car Accidents
Draping Regulation: Breast massage requires client request & consent form with reason, Draping to be performed in a way that ensures the safety, comfort, and privacy of client
Licensing Reciprocity: Magazine License Reciprocity Article (Must be licensed in prior state)
Massage Magazine Arizona Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $52,619
Number of Practitioners: 9,113
arkansas
Designation: Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) OR Master Massage Therapist (MMT)
Board: Arkansas Department of Health
Fees: Initial - $180, $30 per year for LMT, $40 per year for MMT, $45 per year for Instructors
Liability Insurance: Not required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 500 Hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 18 CEU every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx and Arkansas Law Exam
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, Fingerprints, Photo, Local requirements
Classification: Healthcare Provider
Insurance Billing: Car Accidents
Draping Regulation: Breast massage only allowed for treatment of scar tissue, myofascial binding, lymphatic flow. Written consent required + 48hrs CE credits in lymphatic, myofascial or oncology training required. Draping required, pubic area & genitals must be always draped. Therapists must comply with client request to remain partially or fully clothed under drape.
Massage Magazine Arkansas Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $49,085
Number of Practitioners: 2,700
california
Unlicensed: State certification, otherwise regulated at local level (Certification not required)
Designation: CMP - Certified Massage Practitioner or CMT - Certified Massage Therapist
Board: California Massage Therapy Council
Fees: $200.00 every 2 years
Liability Insurance: Not required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 500 Hours
Continuing Education Requirements: None
Testing Requirements: MBLEx for certification, Local - Not Required
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, Fingerprints, Photo, Local requirements
Classification: Alternative Healthcare Providers
Insurance Billing: Worker's Comp & Auto Accidents
Draping Regulation: Breast massage with written consent & doctor referral, genitalia and female breasts must be covered otherwise at all times
Massage Magazine California Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $59,449
Number of Practitioners: 35,000
COLORADO
Designation: LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
Fees: $90 Application, $79 renewal every 2 years
Liability Insurance: Required prior to license
Entry Level Education Requirements: 500 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: None
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check & Fingerprints
Classification: Health Care Provider
Insurance Billing: Workers’ comp, Car accidents, Health Plans - BCBS
Draping Regulation: No draping rules. Only that a therapists can be disciplined if their actions constitute a “sexual act” or “act that does not meet, or failed to perform an act necessary to meet, generally accepted standards of massage therapy care.”
Massage Magazine Colorado State Requirements
Salary Average: $53,063
Number of Practitioners: 18,249
CONNECTICUT
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Department of Public Health Massage Therapy Licensure
Fees: $375 Initial License, Renewal $255 every 2 years
Liability Insurance: Required for licensing
Entry Level Education Requirements: 750 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 24 hours every 4 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: None
Classification: Personal Services
Insurance Billing: Worker's Comp
Draping Regulation: None in practice act.
Massage Magazine Connecticut State Requirements
Salary Average: $57,587
Number of Practitioners: 3,024
delaware
Designation: LMT – Licensed or CMT – Certified Massage Therapist
Board: Delaware Board of Massage & Bodywork
Fees: Initial - $159, Upgrade $55, Temporary $55, Renewal $123 every 2 Years
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 500 for LMT, 300 for CMT
Continuing Education Requirements: 24 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: For LMT - MBLEx or NCBTMB, For CMT - None
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, CPR, Fingerprints, First aid
Classification: Unknown
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: Use safe and functional draping practices during the practice of massage when client is disrobed. Safe and functional coverage/draping means that the client’s genitals and gluteal cleft and the breast area of female clients are not exposed, and that massage or movement of the body does not expose these areas.
Massage Magazine Delaware Massage Therapy Requirements
Number of Practitioners: 1,057
florida
Designation: LMT
Board: Florida Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: Initial - $155, Renewal - $105 every 2 years
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements:500 hours
Continuing Education Requirements:24 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, Medical error prevention course, HIV/AIDS course, FL Laws & Rules Course, Fingerprints, Human Trafficking course
Classification: Health Care Provider
Insurance Billing: Worker's Comp, Car Accidents - No PIP, and Healthcare Plans Law 627.6619
Draping Regulation: Appropriate draping of a client shall include draping of the buttocks and genitalia of all clients, and breasts of female clients, unless the client gives specific informed consent to be undraped.
Massage Magazine Florida Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $50,561
Number of Practitioners: 27,993
georiga
Designation: LMT
Board: Georgia Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: Initial $125, Renewal $75 every 2 years (by 10/31 even years)
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements:500 Hours
Continuing Education Requirements:24 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, Fingerprints
Classification: Healthcare Provider
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: Provide draping and treatment consistent with client safety, comfort, and privacy in compliance with recognized professional standards of massage therapy practice.
Georgia AMTA Chapter
Massage Magazine Georgia Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $52,647
Number of Practitioners: 5,313
hawaii
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: $50 App Fee + for special requests, License & Renewal $146 every 2 Years
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements:570 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: None Testing Requirements: Hawaii State Exam
Other Licensure Requirements: CPR
Classification: Unknown
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: Hawaii rules and regulations do not specifically address draping.
Hawaii AMTA Chapter
Massage Magazine Hawaii Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $55,841
Number of Practitioners: 939
idaho
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Idaho Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: $125 Initial, Renewal $75 per year
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements:500
Continuing Education Requirements:6 hours yearly
Testing Requirements: MBLEX or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: None
Classification: Unknown
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: Provide draping and treatment in a way that ensures the safety, comfort, and privacy of the client.
Idaho AMTA Chapter
Massage Magazine Idaho Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $50,232
Number of Practitioners: Unknown
illinois
Designation: LMT
Board: Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation Massage Therapy
Fees: Initial $175, Renewal $175 every 2 years
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements:600
Continuing Education Requirements:24 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Background Check, Fingerprints
Classification: Healthcare provider
Insurance Billing: Worker’s Comp, Car accidents, Healthcare plans - BCBS
Draping Regulation: No specific draping regulations.
Massage Magazine Illinois Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $54,659
Number of Practitioners: 9,063
indiana
Licensure in Progress
Designation: CMT (Certification)
Board: Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: $100 Initial, Renewal $150 every 4 years
Liability Insurance: Required prior to certification
Entry Level Education Requirements: 625 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: None
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, Fingerprints
Classification: Unknown
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: Training in techniques related to therapeutic massage of mammary tissue and informed written consent required for breast massage. Provide draping in a manner that ensures the safety, comfort, and privacy of the client, covering gluteal cleft, genital areas, and female breasts. Draping not required when client is fully clothed. Gluteal cleft may be undraped temporarily to provide therapeutic treatment to structure in this area with voluntary informed consent.
Massage Magazine Indiana Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $51,998
Number of Practitioners: Unknown
iowa
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Iowa Dept. of Public Health Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: $120 Initial, Renewal $120 every 2 years
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 600 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 16 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: CPR
Classification: Unknown
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: No specific rules for draping or breast massage.
Massage Magazine Iowa Massage Therapists Requirements
Salary Average: $50,934
Number of Practitioners: 2,396
kansas
Unlicensed: Local Requirements
kentucky
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy
Fees: $50 Application, Initial $75, Renewal $100 every 2 Years
Liability Insurance: Not required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 600 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 24 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, Photo
Classification: Personal Services
Insurance Billing: Worker’s Comp, Car accidents
Draping Regulation: Informed written consent, proof of specialized training required for breast massage. Client must have the option of having this service performed over a sheet. Client may discontinue service any time. Detailed SOAP notes related to all emotional factors client reports required. Refrain from any act that may be construed as sexual in nature. Provide draping in a way that ensures the safety, comfort, and privacy of the client.
Massage Magazine Kentucky Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $50,082
Number of Practitioners: 4,277
louisiana
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: $75 Initial, Renewal $125 per year on March 31st, Provisional licenses available
Liability Insurance: Not required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 500 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 12 hours every year
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check
Classification: Personal Services
Insurance Billing: No – for Worker’s Comp & Car accidents massage must be performed by chiropractor
Draping Regulation: Clients should always be draped including covering gluteal cleft, genitalia, and female breasts.
Massage Magazine Louisiana Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $50,987
Number of Practitioners: 2,400
maine
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation
Fees: $86 Initial, Renewal $40 per year
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 500 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: None
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB (Alternative to education)
Other Licensure Requirements: CPR, Background check
Classification: Personal Service
Insurance Billing: No
Draping Regulation: Provide draping in a way that ensures safety, comfort and privacy of the client.
Maine AMTA Chapter
Massage Magazine Maine Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $51,306
Number of Practitioners: 2,423
maryland
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist or RMT – Registered Massage Therapist
Board: Maryland Dept. of Health Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
Fees: $450 Initial, Renewal $200 every 2 years
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 600 hours & 60 college credits for LMT, or 600 hours for RMT
Continuing Education Requirements:24 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx, NCBTMB or NCCAOM
Other Licensure Requirements: CPR, Jurisprudence exam, Background check, Photo
Classification: Healthcare Provider
Insurance Billing: Worker’s Comp, Car accidents
Draping Regulation: Unknown
Maryland AMTA Chapter
Massage Magazine Maryland Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $54,875
Number of Practitioners: 3,379
massachusetts
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Board of Registration of Massage Therapy
Fees: $225 Initial, Renewal $150 per year
Liability Insurance: Required prior to license
Entry Level Education Requirements: 650 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: None
Testing Requirements: None
Other Licensure Requirements: 2 Letters of reference & a photo
Classification: Personal Services
Insurance Billing: Worker’s Comp, Car accidents, Healthcare plans - Massachusetts Laborer’s Health & Welfare Fund
Draping Regulation: No specific draping rules.
Massage Magazine Massachusetts Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $56,596
Number of Practitioners: 7293
michigan
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Michigan Board of Massage Therapy(LARA)
Fees: $95.00 App, Renewal $225 every 3 years renewal
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 625 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 18 hours every 3 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, Fingerprints, Implicit Bias Training
Classification: Healthcare Providers
Insurance Billing: Worker’s Comp, Car accidents
Draping Regulation: Drape in a way to ensure the safety, comfort, and privacy of the client. The State of Michigan does not prohibit breast massage, nor does it require draping by law, however it does discipline conduct which may be interpreted as sexual in nature.
Massage Magazine Michigan Massage Therapist Requirements
Salary Average: $53,265
Number of Practitioners: 81
minnesota
Unlicensed: Local Requirements
Classification: Personal Service
Insurance Billing: Workers Comp, Car accidents
Massage Magazine Minnesota Massage Therapists State Requirements
Salary Average: $54,446
MISSISSIPPI
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: $200 MS State Exam (in-state) $300 (out-of-state) or $100 (Reciprocity with MBLEx), $50 Application, $100 Mississippi State Law Exam (MSLE), $150 Mississippi Board Pre-Licensure Exam Fee $200 Licensure for 2 years, Renewal $200 every two years, $30 Provisional permit
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 700 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 24 hours every 2 years (12 per year)
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB, MS State exam, MS State law exam
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, CPR, Fingerprints, First aid, Familiarity with Americans with Disability Act, Communicable Diseases course
Classification: Unknown
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: Draping must cover all genitalia and female breasts unless prior written consent is given for breast massage by a therapist specifically trained. Draping must ensure the safety, comfort, and privacy of the client. Therapist must respect the client’s right to refuse, modify, or terminate therapy regardless of prior consent given.
Massage Magazine Mississippi Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $46,303
Number of Practitioners: 1,700
MISSOURI
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Division of Professional Registration Board of Therapeutic Massage
Fees: $200 App, $38 Fingerprint & Background check fee, Renewal $50 every 2 Years, Provisional license available
Liability Insurance: Required prior to license
Entry Level Education Requirements: 500 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 12 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx, NCBTMB, or NCCAOM, State Exam
Other Licensure Requirements: Background check, 2 sets of fingerprints
Classification: Healthcare Provider – See Title XXII OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS Chapter 324, 324.240. Definitions.
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: Draping must be appropriate, covering the gluteal cleft, genitals, and female breasts always. Advanced training and certification in the treatment of mammary tissue, physician prescription, or documented clinical indication required for breast massage. Documentation shall be included in client’s record.
Massage Magazine Missouri Massage Therapy Requirements
Average Salary: $50,721
Number of Practitioners: 3,999
montana
Designation: LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist
Board: Dept. of Labor & Industry Montana Board of Massage Therapy
Fees: Endorsement and Examination $140, Renewal $90 per year
Liability Insurance: Not Required
Entry Level Education Requirements: 500 hours
Continuing Education Requirements: 12 hours every 2 years
Testing Requirements: MBLEx or NCBTMB
Other Licensure Requirements: Renewals are annual but CEs due on even number years
Classification: Unknown
Insurance Billing: Unknown
Draping Regulation: No specific regulation on draping.
Massage Magazine Montana Massage Therapy Requirements
Salary Average: $42,419
Number of Practitioners: Unknown
REFERENCES
Massage Magazine State Requirements Articles
ABMP Practitioners State Requirements State Board Sites
ABMP Massage State Regulation Guide State Requirements, CE Requirements
Lomi Lomi Chest & Breast Massage Legality (And Draping) Draping Laws
Massage Practice Builder Massage Insurance Billing Resources Status & Insurance Billing
Massage Exam Fees & Number of Providers
Google Search Results: Massage Establishment Licensing requirements
*Note: In states where Liability Insurance is not required, it is always recommended to protect you and your practice.
If you notice an error in any of the above information, please report to [email protected] with State Information in subject line. Thank you!