How to Become a Massage Therapist in Maine

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• You must EITHER pass a national exam (NCBTMB, the FSMTB's MBLEx, or another exam the Department approves) OR complete a Department-approved training course of at least 500 hours.
• You must complete a State Police (SBI) criminal background check.

Step by step

1. Meet the competence requirement: pass the MBLEx or an NCBTMB exam, or complete a Department-approved massage program of at least 500 hours.
2. Gather your proof of exam results or an official transcript showing your hours by subject, plus the other documents the application asks for.
3. Apply online through OPOR and pay the $40 license fee and the $21 State Police criminal background check (SBI) fee.
4. Finish the application within 2 months after OPOR receives it, or the application and documents become invalid and you must reapply.
5. Check your city or town for any local massage ordinance; you must follow any local rule that is stricter than state law.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Maine law lets you qualify by passing a national exam OR by completing a Department-approved course of at least 500 hours, so a training program is not required if you pass the exam. An approved 500-hour program must include at least 120 hours of anatomy, physiology and pathology; massage theory, technique and practice; contraindications, ethics, business and draping; and at least 100 hours of supervised hands-on practice. Students must also hold current First Aid and CPR certification, which does not count toward the 500 hours. OPOR publishes a list of approved massage therapy programs.

Exam: Passing a national exam is one of two ways to qualify. Maine accepts exams from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) or the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (the MBLEx), or another organization the Department approves. If you complete an approved 500-hour course instead, Maine law does not require the exam. There is no state exam.

What it costs in Maine

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: Licenses renew every year on the anniversary date of the original license. The renewal fee is $40; renewing after the expiration date adds a $50 late fee. If you apply more than 90 days after expiration, you must reapply as a new applicant (the commissioner may waive the exam if you renew within 2 years). Maine's massage law lets the Department set continuing education by rule, but OPOR's renewal page lists no CE requirement.

Good to know in Maine

Title protection law: Maine's law says you may not claim to be a massage therapist or massage practitioner unless you are licensed. Licensed professionals such as physical therapists, nurses and cosmetologists, and practitioners of methods like reflexology, Shiatsu or Reiki who do not use those titles, are exempt.

Local ordinances: Maine cities and towns may adopt their own massage ordinances. If yours has one, you must follow both state law and any local provision that is stricter.

Licensed in another state: Maine has a license-by-endorsement process for people licensed in other states under 32 M.R.S. 14306-H and 10 M.R.S. 8003-H. You may also apply through the regular process.

Application time limit: You have 2 months from when OPOR receives your application to complete it. After that, the application and documents expire and you must start over.

500-hour route: First Aid and CPR: If you qualify through a 500-hour program instead of a national exam, you must also show current First Aid and CPR certification from courses taught by a nationally certified instructor. CPR and First Aid hours do not count toward the 500 hours.

Sources

• Maine OPOR - Massage Therapy Licensure - Licensing - Massage Therapist
• Maine OPOR - Approved Massage Therapy Programs (rev. 04/22/2026)
• 32 M.R.S. Chapter 127 - Massage Therapists
• 32 M.R.S. 14306-D - Qualifications; massage therapists
• 02-041 CMR Chapter 300 - Massage Therapists Licensure Requirements