How to Become a Massage Therapist in Hawaii

Checked against Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $50 non-refundable application fee, plus a licensure fee after you pass: $164 if issued July 1 of an even year through June 30 of an odd year, or $82 if issued July 1 of an odd year through June 30 of an even year.
Licensed by: Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division

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Who can apply

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States. Others may sit for the exam but cannot be issued a license.
You must complete at least 570 hours of massage education and training.
You must pass the Hawaii State Massage License Exam.
You must hold a current adult and infant CPR certificate from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association (online courses not accepted).

Step by step

Complete 570 hours of training: 50 hours of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, 100 hours of massage theory and demonstration, and 420 hours of supervised practical training (at a licensed school or as a Hawaii apprentice).
Get an in-person adult and infant CPR certificate from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
Apply to the Board online through MyPVL or by mail, with the $50 non-refundable application fee, transcripts, course descriptions, school approval proof and the MA-17 coursework form.
Wait for the Board's exam approval notice. You may not register for the exam before it arrives.
Register with PSI and pass the Hawaii State Massage License Exam ($90 per attempt, paid to PSI).
Pay the licensure fee using the fee form PSI sends after you pass. Do not practice until you have a license number.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Hawaii requires at least 570 hours: 50 in-class hours of anatomy, physiology and structural kinesiology; 100 in-class hours of massage theory and demonstration; and 420 hours of supervised practical training. Training can come from a school licensed by the Hawaii Department of Education (or an equivalent agency in another state), the University of Hawaii, or other Board-approved institutions. The 50 and 100 academic hours can also come from Board-approved workshops. The 420 practical hours can be done as a Hawaii apprentice under a licensed sponsor for at least 6 months and no more than 1 year. Out-of-state apprenticeship hours, work experience and continuing education do not count.

Exam: All applicants must pass the Hawaii State Massage License Exam, given by PSI Services. You need Board approval before you can register. The exam fee is $90, paid to PSI, and each retake costs another $90. Hawaii does not accept the MBLEx, other states' exams or national certification in place of the Hawaii exam. PSI sends results directly to candidates.

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What it costs in Hawaii

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

Application fee (non-refundable)$50
Licensure fee ($164 or $82 depending on when in the 2-year cycle the license is issued)$
Hawaii State Massage License Exam (PSI), per attempt$90
Massage school or workshop tuition$
Adult and infant CPR course$

Estimated total in Hawaii$140Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Hawaii State Massage License Exam: $90 per attempt, paid to PSI.
Massage school or workshop tuition varies by program.
Adult and infant CPR course from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
Biennial renewal: $164 for an active license.

Keeping your license

Renewal: All licenses expire June 30 of every even-numbered year, no matter when issued. Renewal for an active license is $164. You need 12 continuing education hours each biennium, including 2 hours of first aid, CPR or other emergency courses; the other 10 must relate directly to massage practice (marketing and practice-building courses do not count). The Board can audit licensees. A license not renewed can be restored within 1 year (active restoration $264); after that it terminates and you must reapply and retake the state exam.

Good to know in Hawaii

No reciprocity: Hawaii does not license by reciprocity and out-of-state licenses cannot be transferred. Licensed therapists from other states must meet Hawaii's hours requirement and pass the Hawaii state exam.

Apprentice route: An apprentice permit (no licensure fee, $50 application) is valid for 1 year. You must first finish the 50 academic hours and 100 theory hours, then train under a Hawaii-licensed sponsor in a Hawaii-licensed massage establishment.

Application expires: An application is abandoned if you do not finish the license process within 1 year of filing or do not take and pass the exam after becoming eligible. You then must reapply under the rules in effect at that time.

Criminal history: If you have a conviction that was not annulled or expunged, you must send a signed explanation, court documents and a current criminal history record check, and the Board reviews your application at a meeting.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division before you apply.