How to Become a Massage Therapist in Arkansas

Checked against Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology and Massage Therapy Section · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $75 learning permit application fee (nonrefundable), $80 original license fee and $25 state exam fee, set in Ark. Code 17-86-303(d).
Licensed by: Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology and Massage Therapy Section

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Who can apply

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must get a massage therapy learning permit from the Department of Health before you enroll in a massage school or apprenticeship (required since January 1, 2024).
You must complete at least 500 hours of in-classroom instruction at a department-licensed massage school, or a registered massage therapy apprenticeship program.
You must pass the MBLEx (or an accepted NCBTMB exam) and the department's exam on the Arkansas Massage Therapy Act and rules.
You must pass a state and federal criminal background check and swear you have no conviction or plea for a listed felony or for prostitution.
You must show a valid photo ID and your Social Security card in the same name as your application.

Step by step

Apply to the Department of Health for a massage therapy learning permit before you enroll ($75), with a background check, photo ID, Social Security card, your school's enrollment contract and proof of a physical exam by a medical doctor showing you pose no health risk to give and receive massage.
Complete at least 500 hours of in-classroom instruction over at least four months at a licensed Arkansas massage school (or finish a registered apprenticeship).
Pass the MBLEx.
Pass the department's exam on the Arkansas Massage Therapy Act and rules ($25 exam fee).
Have your school send your transcript directly to the department (you cannot send it yourself).
Submit a notarized license application with the $80 original license fee and your sworn statement about criminal history.
The department issues your license, which runs to your birthday in the biennial renewal year.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Arkansas massage schools must teach at least 500 hours of in-classroom instruction over at least four months: 175 hours of anatomy, physiology, pathology and contraindications; 225 hours of technique; 25 hours of hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and heliotherapy; 25 hours of hygiene and infection control; 25 hours of massage law, business and ethics; and 25 hours of related subjects the department approves. Schools are licensed and inspected by the Department of Health and must require a physician's exam showing the student poses no health risk. A registered apprenticeship meeting federal 29 CFR Part 29 guidelines is the other route. Your learning permit stays valid no longer than six months after you graduate or finish the apprenticeship.

Exam: The department accepts the MBLEx (FSMTB), the NCETM or the NCETMB in place of its own licensing exam, but only if you also pass a department exam on the Arkansas Massage Therapy Act and rules. The department exam (or retake) fee is $25. The department may also require a practical exam at its discretion. The MBLEx is a 100-question, computer-adaptive test with 110 minutes at Pearson VUE centers, reported as pass or fail, with a $265 application fee for each attempt.

Practice for the MBLEx free — anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, ethics and client assessment →

What it costs in Arkansas

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Massage therapy learning permit application (nonrefundable)$75
Original license fee$80
Department exam on the Massage Therapy Act and rules$25
MBLEx application fee (FSMTB)$265
State and federal background check$
Massage school tuition (500+ hours)$
Biennial renewal fee$80

Estimated total in Arkansas$525Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

MBLEx application fee: $265, paid to FSMTB.
State and federal criminal background check (fee set by the vendor; the department does not publish the amount).
Physician's exam required by your massage school.
School tuition varies by program.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses are valid two years and expire on your birthday in the renewal year. The renewal fee is $80. Your renewal must be postmarked by the first day of the month before your birth month, or you pay a $25 late fee. You need at least 18 hours of department-approved continuing education each renewal, and no more than 6 of them may be online or home study; the rest must be in-person classes. Hours must be earned between the license's issue and expiration dates (no carryover). Courses taught in Arkansas need department pre-approval unless approved by NCBTMB, AMTA or ABMP. If you miss your birthday, the license expires and you must reapply and pass an exam again. You can stay on the inactive list up to four years without re-examination.

Good to know in Arkansas

Disqualifying offenses: A conviction or guilty or no-contest plea to a felony listed in Ark. Code 17-3-102, or to prostitution in any state, can bar licensure.

Advanced licenses: Arkansas has upgrade levels: master massage therapist (after two years of practice plus 125 CE hours and 250 practical hours) and massage therapy instructor (after three years as a master plus 250 more CE hours).

Licensed in another state: Arkansas offers reciprocity to licensees from states with substantially the same requirements. The department issues a 90-day temporary license once it receives your application, fee and required documents, so you can work while the rest is processed. Reciprocity applicants pay a $75 nonrefundable reciprocity application fee plus the $80 original license fee.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology and Massage Therapy Section before you apply.