How to Become a Massage Therapist in Montana

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old (37-33-502, MCA).
• You must be of good moral character.
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• To apply by examination, you must complete a massage program of at least 500 hours that meets the Board's curriculum rule (ARM 24.155.605) and pass the MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL, NCETM or an equivalent state exam.
• To apply by credential, you must hold an active license in good standing from another state whose requirements are equivalent.

Step by step

1. Complete a massage therapy program of at least 500 hours that meets ARM 24.155.605.
2. Apply online at ebiz.mt.gov/pol and pay the $140 application fee plus the $5 litigation fund fee.
3. Have your massage school send your official transcript directly to the department, and send proof of your high school diploma or equivalent.
4. Request official license verification from every state where you hold or held any professional license.
5. After the Board approves your education, it sends you and FSMTB an eligible-to-test email. Schedule and pass the MBLEx.
6. Have the testing organization send your passing score directly to the Board.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Montana requires a massage therapy program of at least 500 hours (ARM 24.155.605): 200 hours of in-class, instructor-supervised massage and bodywork assessment, theory and application; 150 hours combined of body systems (anatomy, physiology, kinesiology) and pathology; and 150 hours combined of business, ethics and related subjects that complete the program.

Exam: Exam applicants must pass the MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL or NCETM, or a state exam the Board finds equivalent. First-time applicants apply to the Board first; once the Board approves the education it sends an eligible-to-test notice to FSMTB, and you then schedule the MBLEx. Scores must be sent to the Board directly by the testing organization.

What it costs in Montana

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: All massage therapist licenses expire August 31 each year. Renewal opens 60 days before. Licenses issued within 60 days before August 31 get an expiration date of August 31 of the following year. If you renew after August 31 you pay the regular renewal fee plus late fees. You must earn at least 12 continuing education credits every two years, reported by the renewal date in even-numbered years (ARM 24.155.801). New licensees with less than one year on the first reporting date need no CE; those with one to two years need 6 hours.

Good to know in Montana

Transferring from another state: Under House Bill 246 (effective October 1, 2025), the Board publishes a substantial equivalency list. Applications from licensees in states on the list are routine for education, exam and experience. The Board's list marks states such as Alaska, California, Hawaii, Kansas, New York, Texas, Vermont and Wyoming as not substantially equivalent for massage therapists.

Out-of-state requirements: Credential applicants must show completion of a program of at least 500 hours and a passing MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL, NCETM or equivalent state exam, plus official license verification sent directly from each state (ARM 24.155.608).

Interstate Massage Compact: Montana adopted the Interstate Massage Compact (Senate Bill 233, 2025). The Board describes it as an additional pathway to a multistate license that would let you practice in other member states; check with the Board or massagecompact.org on when multistate licenses become available.

21-day temporary registration: If you hold an active, good-standing license in another state, you can get a 21-Day Temporary Registration through the online licensing portal to practice in Montana to provide education, continuity of treatment, treatment to underserved populations, or highly specialized care.

Sources

• Montana Board of Massage Therapy - Massage Therapist Checklist (rev. 10/30/25)
• Montana Board of Massage Therapy - License Information and Renewal
• Montana Board of Massage Therapy - Continuing Education and Rules
• ARM Chapter 155 (board compilation as of 6/30/2021)
• MAR Notice 2025-265.1 - Substantial equivalency (HB 246)
• Montana Substantial Equivalency Determinations
• Montana Board of Massage Therapy