How to Become a Massage Therapist in Connecticut

Checked against Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $375 application fee set by statute; DPH charges $379.75 online, which includes the National Practitioner Data Bank query.
Licensed by: Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section

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Who can apply

You must graduate from a massage school program of at least 750 classroom hours with the instructor present (online instruction does not count).
At your graduation the school must have held a current NCBTMB school code and been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency, a state postsecondary trade school board, or COMTA.
You must complete at least 60 hours of unpaid, supervised clinical or internship experience.
You must pass the MBLEx (or the former NCBTMB national certification exam; the NESL exam does not count).
You cannot have disciplinary action pending or an unresolved complaint in any state.

Step by step

Complete a 750-classroom-hour program at a qualifying massage school.
Complete at least 60 hours of unpaid, supervised clinical or internship experience.
Pass the MBLEx.
Apply online through Connecticut eLicense and pay $379.75 (the $375 application fee plus the cost of a National Practitioner Data Bank query).
Have your school send the education verification form, FSMTB send your exam result, and your clinical supervisor send a letter on business letterhead confirming your internship hours, all directly to DPH.
If you have ever held a massage license elsewhere, have each state send a license verification.
Buy professional liability insurance before you start seeing clients.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Since October 1, 2019, applicants need a course of study of at least 750 classroom hours with the instructor present, plus at least 60 hours of unpaid, supervised clinical or internship experience. The school must have held a current NCBTMB school code at your graduation and been accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, by a state board of postsecondary technical trade and business schools, or by COMTA. DPH says online instruction does not count toward the 750 hours.

Exam: Pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork formerly given by NCBTMB. The NCBTMB's National Examination for State Licensing (NESL) does not qualify. 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 Connecticut

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

DPH application fee, including National Practitioner Data Bank query$379.75
MBLEx application fee (FSMTB)$265
Professional liability insurance ($250,000/$1 million minimum)$
Massage school tuition (750+ classroom hours)$
License renewal every two years$255

Estimated total in Connecticut$899.75Plus 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.
Professional liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence and $1 million aggregate (cost set by insurer).
Out-of-state license verification fees, if another state charges them.
School tuition varies by program.

Pay in Connecticut

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Connecticut after taxes.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses renew every two years; the renewal fee is $255. You need at least 24 hours of continuing education every four years, related to your practice. No more than 18 hours can be online or distance learning, and no more than 12 hours can come from programs not approved by NCBTMB. You attest at renewal and must keep certificates for six years. Your first renewal is exempt from CE.

Good to know in Connecticut

Liability insurance: Before providing direct client care you must carry malpractice insurance of at least $250,000 per person per occurrence, with an aggregate of at least $1 million.

Licensed in another state: You can qualify with a current license from another state, at least one year of practice right before you apply, and a passing MBLEx or NCBTMB exam. The fee is the same $379.75.

Written referrals: Connecticut massage therapists must make a written referral to a licensed healing arts practitioner for any client with a condition that is a contraindication for massage or needs care beyond massage.

Protected titles: Only licensees may use the titles massage therapist, licensed massage therapist, massage practitioner, massagist, masseur or masseuse.

Licensed 4+ years elsewhere: If you hold a current license in another U.S. state, have practiced at least four years, and every license you have held is in good standing with no discipline or pending complaints, DPH can license you on that experience. You apply online, pay the regular fee and have each state send a license verification; no transcripts, training verification or exam are required.

Temporary permit: After finishing school, you can apply for licensure with the $375 fee and get a temporary permit to practice under a licensed massage therapist who is on the premises while you wait to take or get results of the exam. It lasts up to 120 days after you finish your program, cannot be renewed, and is void if you fail the exam. It is not issued if you have already failed the exam.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section before you apply.