How to Become a Massage Therapist in Kentucky

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be of good moral character.
• You must complete at least 600 hours of supervised instruction at a board-approved massage program, or an associate degree with a massage therapy emphasis approved by the Board.
• You must pass an approved exam, such as the MBLEx from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).
• You must submit a Kentucky State Police and FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.
• You must submit a recent passport-quality color photo, which is printed into your license.

Step by step

1. Complete at least 600 classroom hours at a massage program holding a Kentucky certificate of good standing.
2. Pass the MBLEx or another exam the Board approves.
3. Fill out the Application for Licensure as a Massage Therapist from the Board's Forms & Documents page and attach a 2x2 inch color head-shot photo taken within the last 6 months.
4. Pay the $200 initial license fee and send your official transcript or certificate itemizing your clock hours.
5. Complete the Kentucky State Police and FBI background checks within 90 days before you submit the application. The Board says it can no longer accept background checks directly from applicants and cannot finalize applications until its FBI agency number (ORI) is in place, so follow the Board's current instructions.
6. If you have a criminal history, you may be asked to attend an in-person interview with the Board's Application Committee.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Kentucky requires at least 600 hours of supervised instruction in a board-approved massage therapy program, or an associate degree with a massage therapy emphasis approved by the Board. Approved programs are those holding a certificate of good standing under KRS 309.363 and 201 KAR 42:080. Your transcript must itemize the clock hours by subject. If your school had an NCBTMB school code, a suspension or revocation of that code while you attended is grounds to deny your application.

Exam: The Board approves the MBLEx or other FSMTB exams, an NCBTMB entry-level exam, any exam of a certifying agency approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), an NBCA entry-level massage exam, and the Ohio and New York state massage licensing exams. Kentucky has no separate state exam.

What it costs in Kentucky

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 every two years on or before the anniversary date your license was issued. The renewal fee is $200 ($225 up to 60 days late, $250 from 61 to 90 days late). You need 12 continuing education hours every two years, including at least 3 hours of professional ethics, all related to massage therapy. You must send a new 2x2 color photo with each renewal and report any felony conviction or out-of-state discipline. After 90 days the license must be reinstated by paying the $250 late renewal fee plus a reinstatement fee of $100 to $300, depending on how long it has been expired; after 5 years you must apply as a new applicant.

Good to know in Kentucky

License by endorsement: If you have been licensed in good standing in another state for at least 1 year, you can apply by endorsement with a background check, photo, $200 fee, and proof of training, exam, CE or experience that is equivalent to Kentucky's requirements. If work experience is your only proof, at least 4 years of experience is required.

Military spouses and dependents: Spouses and dependents of members of the U.S. military, Reserves or National Guard who hold a valid license in another state can apply for licensure by endorsement under a separate military reciprocity section.

Background check delay: The Board says applications cannot be finalized until it receives the FBI agency number (ORI) needed for fingerprint checks. You can still submit your application; the Board will prepare it for expedited review and send further instructions.

Display your license: You must display a copy of your current license at your primary massage location at all times.

Sources

• Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy
• KBLMT - How to Obtain KSP and FBI Background Checks
• KRS 309.358 - Qualifications for license
• KRS 309.355 - Powers and duties of board; criminal background investigations
• 201 KAR 42:020 - Fees
• 201 KAR 42:035 - Application process, exam, and curriculum requirements
• 201 KAR 42:040 - Renewal and reinstatement
• 201 KAR 42:070 - Endorsement
• 201 KAR 42:110 - Continuing education requirements