How to Become a Massage Therapist in Indiana

Checked against Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 4 years
State fee: $100 non-refundable application fee.
Licensed by: Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA)

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Who can apply

You must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
You must complete a massage program of at least 625 hours.
You must pass an exam the Board accepts: MBLEx, NCETM, NCETMB or NBCA NCE.
You must complete a criminal background check and explain any "yes" answers with court documents.
You must carry professional liability insurance of at least $2 million per claim and $6 million aggregate.

Step by step

Complete a massage therapy program of at least 625 hours. Indiana-approved schools are listed in the Department of Workforce Development's INTraining directory.
Pass the MBLEx (or another accepted exam) and have the testing organization send your results directly to the Board. Results you send yourself are not accepted.
Buy professional liability insurance and get a certificate of insurance.
Apply online through PLA Online Services, pay the $100 application fee by card, and upload your transcript, insurance proof and any name-change documents.
Complete the criminal background check and send any out-of-state license verifications directly from the issuing state.
Finish all requirements within 1 year of filing, or the application is abandoned.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Indiana requires an official transcript showing you completed all graduation requirements of a program of at least 625 hours. The Department of Workforce Development's INTraining directory lists Indiana-approved schools. Graduates of foreign programs must send an official English translation and a credentials evaluation prepared for Indiana by the International Education Research Foundation (IERF).

Exam: The Board accepts the MBLEx (from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards), the NCETM, the NCETMB, or the National Board Certification Agency National Certification Examination (NBCA NCE). Results must come directly from the testing organization. Indiana has no separate state exam.

Practice for the MBLEx free — anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, ethics and client assessment →

What it costs in Indiana

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)$100
MBLEx or other accepted national exam$
Professional liability insurance ($2M per claim / $6M aggregate minimum)$
Massage program tuition$

Estimated total in Indiana$100Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

MBLEx or other national exam fee, paid to the testing organization.
Professional liability insurance with at least $2,000,000 per claim and $6,000,000 aggregate coverage, required to practice.
Massage program tuition varies by school.
Renewal: $150 every four years.

Pay in Indiana

Indiana adds a local income tax on top of the state rate, so look up the local rate for your area before you budget.

Keeping your license

Renewal: All massage therapist licenses expire May 15 every fourth year (2025, 2029, 2033). The renewal fee is $150, and you must upload proof of professional liability insurance. You need 24 continuing education hours per four-year cycle, including 2 hours of ethics (which may include boundaries and safety). If your license was valid for less than the full cycle, fewer hours apply: none for 12 months or less, 12 hours for 13-24 months, 18 hours for 25-36 months. Hours cannot carry over, and business courses count for at most 3 hours. A current NCBTMB Board Certification (BCTMB) can be submitted to meet the CE requirement. A license expired 3 or more years must be reinstated.

Good to know in Indiana

Liability insurance: You must hold professional liability insurance to practice massage in Indiana: at least $2,000,000 per claim and $6,000,000 aggregate. Proof is required with your application and every renewal.

Licensed elsewhere: If you hold any health-related license, registration or certification in another state, that state must send a verification directly to the Board. County or city permits do not need verification.

Application time limit: If you do not submit all requirements within 1 year after filing, the application is abandoned and any new application is treated as new.

Reinstatement: To reinstate a license expired 3 or more years, submit a work history letter, liability insurance proof, CE for the time the license was expired, and fees. IPLA's site lists the reinstatement total as $250.

Social Security number: You must give a U.S. Social Security number on the application. IPLA says disclosure is mandatory and an application without one will be denied.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) before you apply.