How to Become a Massage Therapist in Colorado

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must complete a massage therapy program of at least 650 total hours of coursework and clinical work at an approved massage school (applications on or after July 1, 2024).
• You must pass the MBLEx, an NCBTMB exam (NCETM or NCETMB), or another exam approved by the Director.
• You must hold professional liability insurance before you practice, or qualify for an exemption.
• You must pass a fingerprint-based criminal history check.

Step by step

1. Complete a massage therapy program of at least 650 hours at an approved school.
2. Pass the MBLEx (or another approved exam).
3. Get professional liability insurance, or confirm you qualify for an exemption.
4. Apply online for a Massage Therapist license by examination and pay the fee.
5. Within a week of applying, complete your fingerprint background check through IdentoGO or American BioIdentity; results go to the Division through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
6. Have your school send an official transcript, and send proof of your passing exam score.
7. DORA issues your license; it expires December 31 of the next even-numbered year.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Since July 1, 2024 (Senate Bill 24-201), Colorado requires at least 650 total hours of coursework and clinical work from an approved massage school, up from 500. Students enrolled by July 1, 2024 who graduated by October 1, 2025 could still qualify with the old program. Approved schools include those certified by the Colorado Division of Private and Occupational Schools, programs certified by the Colorado Community College System, nationally accredited programs, and out-of-state programs approved by their state's education regulator. Foreign-trained applicants need a credential review from IERF or ICD.

Exam: Pass one of these: the MBLEx from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, the NCETM or NCETMB from NCBTMB, or an exam approved by the Director. 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.

What it costs in Colorado

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

Good to know in Colorado

Licensed in another state: You can apply by endorsement if you have held a current license for at least one year in a jurisdiction with a similar scope of practice, or have substantially equivalent credentials. If your program was under 650 hours, the Director may credit 50 hours of education for each year with 400 hours of documented licensed practice.

Students: Students may give massages only as part of an approved program, under the immediate supervision of a licensed massage therapist on the premises, and must be identified as a "student massage therapist."

No local license needed: DORA says state-licensed massage therapists do not also need a local city or county massage license to practice.

Good moral character: The Director can deny a license for criminal conduct such as pimping or keeping a place of prostitution, even if the charge was pled down or deferred. Other criminal records do not automatically bar licensure.

Liability insurance minimums: Your professional liability insurance must cover at least $50,000 per claim with a $300,000 annual aggregate. You do not need the policy in hand when you apply, but you must attest that you have it, and will keep it, before you start practicing.

Sources

• Colorado DPO - Office of Massage Therapy Licensure: Applications and Forms
• Colorado DPO - Massage Therapy FAQs regarding HB16-1320
• Senate Bill 24-201 - Increase Massage Therapy Education Program Hours (enrolled)
• 3 CCR 722-1.1 - Application for Licensure (Cornell LII)
• 3 CCR 722-1.2 - Education and Training Requirements (Cornell LII)
• 3 CCR 722-1.3 - Examination Requirement (Cornell LII)
• 3 CCR 722-1.4 - Licensure by Endorsement (Cornell LII)
• 3 CCR 722-1.5 - Reinstatement of Expired License (Cornell LII)
• 3 CCR 722-1.6 - Supervision of Student Massage Therapists (Cornell LII)
• FSMTB - MBLEx Candidate Handbook 2026
• Colorado Revised Statutes Title 12, Article 20 (C.R.S. 12-20-202)
• DORA - Massage Therapy Licensing Guide (linked from dpo.colorado.gov/MassageTherapy/Applications)