How to Become a Massage Therapist in Florida

Checked against Florida Board of Massage Therapy (Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance) · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $155 total: $50 nonrefundable application fee, $100 initial license fee and $5 unlicensed activity fee.
Licensed by: Florida Board of Massage Therapy (Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance)

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Who can apply

You must be at least 18 years old or have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma.
You must complete a course of study of 500 or more clock hours at a board-approved massage school.
You must pass the MBLEx (or an NCBTMB exam taken before those exams were retired).
You must complete a 10-hour Florida Laws and Rules course from an approved provider (or as part of a Florida board-approved school program).
You must complete an electronic Livescan fingerprint background screening.

Step by step

Complete a 500-hour (or longer) program at a board-approved massage school.
Complete the 10-hour Florida Laws and Rules course if your school did not include it.
Pass the MBLEx; FSMTB sends your score directly to the board.
Apply online through the MQA Services portal and pay $155 ($50 application, $100 initial license, $5 unlicensed activity fee).
Print the board's electronic fingerprinting form and get Livescan fingerprints at an FDLE-approved provider using the correct ORI number.
Have your school (or a credential evaluator, for foreign schools) send your official transcript directly to the board.
The board reviews your application within 30 days and issues your license once everything is complete.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Complete a course of study of 500 or more clock hours at a board-approved massage school. Graduates of Florida board-approved schools are verified by transcript or graduate list. Graduates of out-of-state schools must show their hours are spread across Florida's required subject areas (see the board's Program Breakdown of Hours). Graduates of foreign schools need a credentialing service evaluation. You also need a 10-hour Florida Laws and Rules course from an approved provider, unless it was part of a Florida board-approved program.

Exam: The board accepts the MBLEx from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, or the NCETM, NCETMB or NESL if taken through NCBTMB before those exams were retired. Scores must come directly from FSMTB or NCBTMB; do not send score reports yourself. 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 Florida

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

Application fee (nonrefundable)$50
Initial licensing fee$100
Unlicensed activity fee$5
MBLEx application fee (FSMTB)$265
Livescan fingerprint background screening$
10-hour Florida Laws and Rules course$
Massage school tuition (500+ hours)$
Biennial renewal, active to active (on time)$105

Estimated total in Florida$525Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Livescan fingerprint background screening through an FDLE-approved provider (cost paid by applicant; amount set by the provider).
MBLEx application fee: $265, paid to FSMTB.
10-hour Florida Laws and Rules course (provider sets price).
School tuition varies by program.

Pay in Florida

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

How long it takes

Florida law requires the board to review an initial application within 30 days; documents sent after that first review are processed within 14 business days. Applications needing board review for criminal or disciplinary history are scheduled within 90 days of being complete.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years (the current cycle ends August 31, 2027). The renewal fee is $105 if on time and $205 after expiration. For your first renewal you need 1 hour of CE per month licensed (over three months), including 2 hours on preventing medical errors and 1 hour on human trafficking. Later renewals need 24 hours: 12 in-person hours on massage techniques, 2 on medical errors, 1 on human trafficking, 2 on Florida laws and rules, 2 on professional ethics and 5 general hours. CE must be from board-approved providers and reported in CE Broker. A $43.25 fee to retain your fingerprints may be added at renewal.

Good to know in Florida

Licensed in another state: If your other state required at least 500 hours of education, you will likely apply by endorsement; you must pass an approved exam if that state did not require one. Florida also has a mobile endorsement route for people who have practiced at least two of the last four years with an active, unencumbered license.

Null and void licenses: If you miss renewal, your license goes delinquent. If it is not renewed before the end of the next cycle, it becomes null and void and you must apply again.

Health and criminal history: If you answer yes to a health history question, send a letter from a qualified licensed health care practitioner (dated within one year) on whether you can practice safely, plus your own explanation. Prior license discipline or denial requires an explanation and agency records.

Disqualifying convictions: Florida must deny a massage license to anyone convicted of (or who pleaded guilty or no contest to) certain felonies, including human trafficking, kidnapping, sexual battery, lewd offenses involving minors, and felony prostitution-related offenses (s. 480.041). Under s. 456.0635, felony health care fraud, theft/fraud (ch. 817) or drug (ch. 893) convictions also bar licensure until 5 to 15 years after the sentence and probation end, depending on the degree, as do some Medicaid terminations.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Florida Board of Massage Therapy (Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance) before you apply.