How to Become a Massage Therapist in Idaho

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• You must complete a registered massage program of at least 500 supervised hours.
• You must pass a Board-approved national exam: the MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL or NCETM.
• You must not have a conviction, withheld judgment or suspended sentence for a crime the Board deems relevant under Idaho Code 67-9411(1).

Step by step

1. Complete a massage program registered with the Idaho State Board of Education (or a comparable authority in another state) with at least 390 classroom hours and 110 supervised clinical hours.
2. Register for and pass the MBLEx through the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
3. Apply online through DOPL's eDOPL portal and pay the $50 application fee and $130 initial license fee.
4. If you have finished school but not yet passed the exam, you may instead apply for a 6-month provisional permit ($50 application plus $25 permit) and work under a licensed Idaho massage therapist.
5. Once licensed, renew on or before your birthday each year or every two years.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Idaho requires a massage program of at least 500 supervised hours, registered under Idaho's proprietary school law (Title 33, Chapter 24) or with a comparable authority in another state. The Board's rule splits it into at least 390 in-class hours of coursework and 110 hours of supervised clinical work or fieldwork. Students cannot give clinical services until they finish at least 20% of the instruction hours, and all clinical work must be supervised by a fully licensed person. The Idaho State Board of Education keeps the list of registered proprietary schools.

Exam: Idaho accepts a passing score on the MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL or NCETM, or another exam the Board deems equivalent. Today new candidates take the MBLEx, scheduled through the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), which also handles ADA accommodation requests. Idaho has no separate state jurisprudence exam.

What it costs in Idaho

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: Renew on or before your birthday, either annually ($65) or biennially ($130). You can renew up to 6 weeks before expiration. The Board's current rules (IDAPA 24.27.01) set no continuing education hour requirement. A license not renewed by its expiration date is canceled; within 5 years you can reinstate it by meeting the renewal requirements and paying a $35 reinstatement fee. After more than 5 years you must apply for a new license.

Good to know in Idaho

Provisional permit: If you meet every requirement except the exam, you can get one provisional permit valid for up to 6 months. You must be supervised by an Idaho-licensed massage therapist in good standing. It can be renewed only for good cause.

License by endorsement: Idaho can license you without an exam if you hold a license in good standing from another state whose requirements are substantially equivalent. DOPL says California applicants do not qualify for endorsement and must apply by examination.

Students and tips: Students in a training program may not accept tips for massages.

Scope limits: Idaho massage therapists may not perform therapeutic exercise, and the Board does not recognize any specialty certifications.

Sources

• Idaho DOPL - Board of Massage Therapy
• Idaho DOPL - Massage Therapy FAQ
• Idaho DOPL - Massage Therapy Exam Information
• IDAPA 24.27.01 - Rules of the Idaho State Board of Massage Therapy
• Idaho Code 54-4009 - Requirements for issuance of license
• Idaho Code 54-4010 - Endorsement licensure
• Idaho Code 67-2614 - Renewal or reinstatement of licenses