How to Become a Massage Therapist in Massachusetts

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED.
• You must complete a Board-approved course of study of at least 650 hours, including 100 hours of unpaid, supervised clinical or externship experience.
• You must be of good moral character and not have been convicted of a sexually-related crime or a crime involving moral turpitude in the 10 years before you apply.
• You must carry individual professional liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate.
• You must provide two letters of professional reference.

Step by step

1. Complete a Board-approved massage program of at least 650 hours at a licensed massage school.
2. Get an individual professional liability insurance policy with at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate coverage.
3. Collect two signed reference letters: one from an employer in the massage or medical field (or a massage educator, therapist or health care provider), and one from an unrelated person.
4. Create a MyMassGov account and apply in the eLIPSE portal. Upload your transcript, clock-hour list, 2x2 photo, reference letters, insurance declaration page and the DOL CORI form.
5. Pay the $225 application fee in eLIPSE.
6. If you have held a license in another state, have that state send the Board a certificate of standing (license verification).
7. The Board emails you when it has all documents, or tells you what is missing. Incomplete applications are held open for 180 days.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Massachusetts requires a Board-approved course of study of at least 650 hours at a licensed massage school: 100 hours of anatomy and physiology, 45 hours of pathology, 45 hours of kinesiology, 300 hours of massage theory and technique, 60 hours of ethics and professionalism, and 100 hours of unpaid, supervised clinical or externship experience (at least 60 of them hands-on massage). The program must also cover federal, state and local massage laws. The Board may accept an out-of-state school if it is approved in that state and you complete a Massachusetts laws course or pass a Massachusetts jurisprudence exam.

Exam: Massachusetts does not currently require a licensing exam if you completed a Board-approved 650-hour program. If your education is short of the 300 hours in massage theory and technique, you must send proof of passing the MBLEx or the NCBTMB exam with your application.

What it costs in Massachusetts

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 and expire on the 28th day of your birth month. To renew you pay $150, confirm you have had no sexually-related or moral turpitude convictions, show current liability insurance, and attest to at least 3 hours of Board-recognized continuing education in the 12 months before expiration. The CE must cover ethics for massage therapists or human trafficking laws and issues specific to massage therapists. CE starts after your first renewal period for a new, non-reciprocal license.

Good to know in Massachusetts

Transferring from another state: The Board may issue a reciprocal license without examination if your other state's standards are reasonably equivalent to or exceed Massachusetts standards and you meet the other licensure requirements. The Board may count documented hours of massage experience after licensure, or a Board-approved exam, in place of missing education. It will not grant reciprocity if your license is revoked or suspended elsewhere.

Sources

• Mass.gov - Apply for a massage therapy license
• Mass.gov - How can I become a massage therapist?
• Mass.gov - Renew your massage therapy license
• 269 CMR 3.00 - Individual licensure (Mass. Register #1560, 11/7/2025)
• 269 CMR 4.00 - Continuing education (Mass. Register #1560, 11/7/2025)
• Mass.gov - Board of Registration of Massage Therapy