How to Become a Massage Therapist in Oregon

Who can apply

• You must complete 625 hours of massage education from an accredited or Department of Education approved school.
• You must pass a board-approved national written exam: the MBLEx, an NCBTMB exam, or the CESI.
• You must pass the Oregon Jurisprudence (law) Examination.
• You must hold current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• You must pass a national fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Step by step

1. Complete 625 hours of massage education at an accredited or approved school.
2. Pass a national written exam (MBLEx, NCBTMB, or CESI) and have the results sent directly from the exam provider.
3. Submit the online registration request and pay $182.25 ($135 application fee plus $47.25 fingerprint processing fee). You will get a customer number and PIN by email.
4. Complete the online application and send official sealed transcripts, a 2x2 photo, a copy of your government ID, three references who do not live with you, and a copy of your BLS card.
5. Take the online open-book jurisprudence exam from the link the board emails you.
6. Get electronic fingerprints through Fieldprint (about $12.50) to start the background check.
7. When everything is approved, pay the initial license fee from the link the board sends; the board then issues your license.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Oregon requires 625 hours (25 quarter credits or 15.74 semester credits) from an accredited or Department of Education approved school. It must include at least 200 hours of health sciences (anatomy and physiology, pathology and kinesiology) and at least 300 hours of massage theory and practical application, clinical practice, business development, sanitation, communication and ethics. The other 125 hours can be in any of those areas.

Exam: You need a passing score on one board-approved written exam, sent directly by the provider: the MBLEx from FSMTB, the NCBTMB's Therapeutic Massage (TM) or Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (TMB) exam, or the CESI for structural integration. The MBLEx is a computer-based test of 100 multiple-choice questions in 110 minutes; the FSMTB application fee is $265 and FSMTB does not limit retakes. You must also pass Oregon's online Jurisprudence (law) Examination: 25 multiple-choice questions, open book.

What it costs in Oregon

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: You renew every two years before the first day of your birth month (odd birth years renew in odd years, even in even years); renewal is $270. Late fees are $25 a week, up to $100. CE does not apply to your first renewal. After that you need 25 hours each renewal period: at least 4 in ethics, boundaries or communication, at least 1 in cultural competency, and at least 8 supervised hours (no more than 17 unsupervised). You must also complete the Oregon Pain Management Commission module and keep a current BLS card.

Good to know in Oregon

Initial license fee depends on your birth year: Your first renewal date is set by your birth month and year, not by when you were licensed. If it comes less than 12 months after your license is issued, the initial fee is $135; if more than 12 months, it is $270.

Arrest records: You must state whether you have ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime other than minor traffic offenses. If so, you must send the arrest record, judgment, settlement of judgment and a written explanation. An arrest or conviction may lead to denial.

Experienced out-of-state therapists: If you have legally practiced for many years outside Oregon but lack the classroom hours, a $250 credentialing review can count some prior continuing education and work experience toward the 625 hours. You still must pass the written and jurisprudence exams.

National certification not required: The board does not require you to get or keep NCBTMB national certification to be licensed.

Extra CE hours carry over: Supervised CE hours beyond the 25 required can be carried over to the next renewal period only, up to a maximum of 25 hours. All other CE must be earned since your last active renewal.

Sources

• Oregon Board of Massage Therapists - How to Obtain a License
• Oregon Board of Massage Therapists - Fees
• Oregon Board of Massage Therapists - FAQs
• OAR 334-010-0050 - Continuing Education (Cornell LII)
• FSMTB - MBLEx Candidate Handbook 2026