How to Become a Massage Therapist in Wisconsin

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• You must graduate from an approved school of massage or bodywork therapy, or complete an approved training program of at least 600 classroom hours.
• You must complete at least 6 classroom hours on Wisconsin massage laws and board rules.
• You must pass an approved national exam (such as the MBLEx) and the Wisconsin State Law (jurisprudence) exam.
• You must hold current AED/CPR certification from an approved provider and malpractice liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 per year. Student insurance is not accepted.
• Convictions and pending charges are reviewed as part of the application.

Step by step

1. Complete an approved massage or bodywork program (at least 600 classroom hours, including 6 hours of Wisconsin law and rules).
2. Pass the MBLEx or another approved national exam and have the testing body send results directly to DSPS.
3. Apply on LicensE (Initial Licensure) and pay the $75 fee. You may apply before you finish school, but the license is issued only after you graduate.
4. Have your school send Form 2962 (program curriculum) directly to DSPS, or official transcripts if the school was not approved by the state's Educational Approval Program and is not a Wisconsin Technical College.
5. Upload proof of AED/CPR certification and your malpractice insurance certificate.
6. After DSPS reviews your application, it sends you login details for the Wisconsin State Law exam. Pass it and print your score report.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Graduate from a DSPS-approved school of massage or bodywork therapy, or complete an approved training program of at least 600 classroom hours (Wis. Admin. Code MTBT 3.01): 125 hours of anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology; 50 hours of business, law and ethics (including at least 6 hours of Wisconsin massage law and rules); 300 hours of theory, technique and practice (including 100 hours of supervised hands-on practice); 20 hours of student clinic; 5 hours of adult CPR and first aid; and 100 hours of additional massage coursework.

Exam: Two exams. (1) An approved national exam: the MBLEx from FSMTB, an approved NCBTMB certification exam, or the NCCAOM Asian Bodywork Therapy exam taken before December 31, 2012. Results must come directly from the testing body. (2) The Wisconsin State Law (Jurisprudence) Exam, taken online after you apply: 40 multiple-choice and true/false questions on MTBT chapters 1-5 and Wisconsin Statutes chapters 48, 146 and 460, passing score 85%, not timed, open for three months. If you fail, submit Form 2699 and pay a $75 retake fee. Print your score report; DSPS cannot retrieve it later.

What it costs in Wisconsin

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

How long it takes

DSPS says a credentialing team member reviews your materials within approximately 10 days after you submit; some licenses take longer, and current review dates are posted on DSPS's application review times data.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses expire February 28 of odd-numbered years. The renewal fee is $75 (a $25 late fee applies after expiration). You must keep current malpractice insurance and AED/CPR. You need 24 hours of continuing education every two years (March 1 of an odd year to February 28 of the next odd year), including at least 2 hours of ethics. No CE is required for your first licensing period. Renewal opens about 4 weeks before expiration on LicensE.

Good to know in Wisconsin

Temporary permit: If you have taken a national exam and are waiting for your passing score, you can apply for a temporary permit, but only while your initial license application is in process.

Old licenses ending in -46: Licenses issued before 2010 for 'Massage Therapist or Bodyworker' (numbers ending in -46) cannot be renewed; those holders must apply for initial or reciprocal licensure.

Criminal record predetermination: A conviction for any offense listed in MTBT 2.01(3)(e), including sexual exploitation by a therapist, sexual assault, prostitution-related offenses and child sexual offenses (Wis. Stat. 940.22, 940.225, 944.15, 944.17, 944.30-944.34, 948.02, 948.025, 948.08-948.10), or a comparable federal or other-state offense, bars licensure. Other convictions whose circumstances substantially relate to massage practice can also disqualify you. If you have convictions, you can ask DSPS for an optional predetermination on LicensE before applying.

Licensed in another state: If you hold a current massage or bodywork license from a state with substantially equivalent requirements, apply by reciprocity on LicensE with license verification sent directly from the other board, plus AED/CPR and malpractice insurance. Reciprocity applicants must also pass the Wisconsin State Law (Jurisprudence) Exam and show a passing approved national exam. DSPS legal staff review whether reciprocity is available for your state; if not, apply by initial licensure.

Sources

• DSPS - Massage Therapist or Bodywork Therapist
• DSPS - Massage Therapist Initial Licensure
• DSPS - Massage Therapist Reciprocal Licensure
• DSPS - Credential Fees and Renewal Dates
• Wis. Stat. ch. 460 - Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy
• Wis. Admin. Code MTBT 2 - Application
• Wis. Admin. Code MTBT 3 - Approved training programs
• FSMTB - MBLEx Candidate Handbook 2026
• Wis. Admin. Code MTBT 2.01 - Licensure requirements