How to Become a Massage Therapist in New Hampshire

Checked against Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Advisory Board of Massage Therapists · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: Licenses currently expire on the last day of your birth month in even-numbered years (RSA 328-B:7), so a first license may last less than two years. Starting July 1, 2027, a 2026 law (ch. 305, HB 1469) changes this so licenses expire under RSA 310:8, which sets a 2-year term from the date of issuance.
State fee: $121 application processing and licensing fee for a 2-year license; the same fee applies to renewal and reinstatement (Plc 1002.24, effective July 1, 2025). Active military and military spouses pay no application fee.
Licensed by: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Advisory Board of Massage Therapists

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Who can apply

You must be at least 18 years old on the date you apply (RSA 328-B:6).
You must complete a course of study at a qualifying massage therapy school (Plc 904.03).
You must pass the MBLEx or another written certifying exam recognized by at least one third of the states that license massage therapists.
You must not have been convicted, in any state, of a crime involving violence against a person or any sexually-related crime.
You must state that you are in good mental and physical health.

Step by step

Complete a qualifying massage program: a school accredited by COMTA, ABHES or ACCET, or a non-accredited school that requires at least 725 hours over at least 6.5 months.
Pass the MBLEx before you apply and have the results sent to OPLC.
Apply online through the OPLC licensing portal and pay the license fee.
Upload your official diploma or certificate and exam results, and answer the health and criminal conviction statements.
OPLC processes the application within 30 days of receipt. No criminal background check is required for the initial license.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Under Plc 904.03 (effective October 17, 2025), a qualifying school must be accredited by COMTA, ABHES or ACCET. A school without that accreditation must require at least 725 hours over at least 6.5 months: 150 hours of anatomy and physiology, 375 hours of massage history, theory, practice, benefits and contraindications (including Swedish massage and hydrotherapy), 50 hours of hygiene and sanitation (including bloodborne pathogens and adult CPR and first aid), 50 hours of health service management, business and ethics, and at least 100 documented practical hours. Online courses are allowed only for subjects that are not hands-on. OPLC's web pages still describe a 750-hour curriculum; in a March 2026 ruling the Executive Director applied the 725-hour rule and said hours from more than one school can be combined if the topic requirements are met.

Exam: Before applying you must pass the MBLEx from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, or another written certifying exam recognized by at least one third of the states that license massage therapists (Plc 904.05). If you use another exam, you must prove it meets that standard.

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

What it costs in New Hampshire

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Application processing and 2-year license fee ($121 under rule Plc 1002.24; OPLC's requirements page lists $110; waived for active military and military spouses)$
MBLEx exam (FSMTB)$
Massage school tuition$

Estimated total in New Hampshire$0Plus 3 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

MBLEx exam fee paid to FSMTB.
Massage school tuition varies by program.
Renewal or reinstatement after expiration: $121 under rule Plc 1002.24; OPLC's renewal page lists $110.

Pay in New Hampshire

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in New Hampshire after taxes.

How long it takes

OPLC processes an initial application within 30 days of receipt (Plc 904.08).

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month in even-numbered years. To renew you file a renewal application before expiration, pay the renewal fee, and complete 12 hours of continuing education during each licensing period (RSA 328-B:4, VII(j); Plc 906.05).

Good to know in New Hampshire

Massage establishment licenses from July 2027: A 2026 law (2026 N.H. Laws ch. 305) amends RSA 328-B effective July 1, 2027 to require a license for massage establishments, defined as commercial locations where massage is advertised and performed by more than one licensed massage therapist. Establishments must be under the direct supervision of a licensee.

Temporary license for out-of-state trainees: If you trained in another state and do not yet meet New Hampshire's requirements, you can get a one-year, non-renewable temporary license if you are at least 21, finished a program of at least 500 hours, and practiced as a massage therapist in another state for at least one year (RSA 328-B:5-a).

Transferring from another state: OPLC may waive licensure requirements, other than the age and criminal conviction rules, for an applicant licensed in another state or country whose requirements are substantially equivalent. Check OPLC's Reciprocity page for fast-track endorsement from participating jurisdictions.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Advisory Board of Massage Therapists before you apply.