How to Become a Massage Therapist in Delaware

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must complete 625 hours of supervised in-class study at a state-approved massage school or program if you started on or after July 1, 2024 (500 hours if you started earlier).
• You must pass the MBLEx or an NCBTMB exam, with the score sent directly to the board.
• You must hold a current CPR certification from an in-person course (online CPR is not accepted).
• You must complete a Delaware and FBI fingerprint background check done specifically for this license.

Step by step

1. Complete a state-approved massage program (625 hours if you started on or after July 1, 2024).
2. Pass the MBLEx and have FSMTB send your official score report directly to the board.
3. Get CPR certified in person.
4. Create a DELPROS account and submit the online application with the $175 fee within six months of starting it.
5. Get a service code from DPR's Criminal Background Check page and complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
6. Have your school mail an official transcript, and provide proof of the school's state approval and a copy of its catalog.
7. Have every state where you have held a license send a verification to the board. The board then issues your license.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: House Bill 386 (2024) raised the minimum to 625 hours of supervised in-class study for students who began on or after July 1, 2024: at least 100 hours of anatomy and physiology, 300 hours of massage or bodywork technique and theory, 200 hours of electives, and 25 hours of ethics, law and contraindications. Students who began before July 1, 2024 need 500 hours (the same breakdown with 75 elective hours). The school or program must be approved by its state for the whole time you attended.

Exam: The board accepts an official score report sent directly from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (MBLEx) or from NCBTMB; a copy you send yourself is unofficial and the license will not issue until the official report arrives. 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 Delaware

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

Keeping your license

Renewal: All massage licenses expire August 31 of even-numbered years (the next deadline is August 31, 2028). Renew in DELPROS and attest to continuing education and current CPR. Each full two-year period you need 24 hours of approved CE: at least 3 hours of ethics, 9 hours of core credits in a hands-on classroom, and 12 hours of elective or core credits. No more than half the hours can be online. Courses must be approved by NCBTMB, AMTA or the Delaware board. Late renewal is allowed up to one year with a late fee of 50% of the renewal fee, but you cannot practice until renewed.

Good to know in Delaware

Massage technician license ended: Senate Bill 277 (2024) ended the Certified Massage Technician (CMT) credential. The board stopped accepting CMT applications after December 31, 2024. An expired CMT cannot be renewed; you must apply as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Active CMTs licensed by original license can upgrade to LMT for $55.

Licensed in another state: Apply by reciprocity if you hold a current license in another jurisdiction, have practiced there continuously for at least two years, and passed a national exam. Otherwise, apply as an original applicant.

Inactive status: A licensed massage therapist not practicing in Delaware can request inactive status ($45 service request) before the license expires. Inactive renewals do not require CE or CPR.

Sources

• Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork
• Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork - Massage Therapist
• Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork - Fee Schedule
• Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork - License Renewal
• Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork - Continuing Education and Audit Information
• 24 Del. C. Chapter 53 - Massage and Bodywork
• FSMTB - MBLEx Candidate Handbook 2026