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How to get a Massage Therapist (LMT) license in Alabama

Alabama licenses massage therapists statewide through the Alabama Department of Public Health.1 For the Massage Therapist (LMT) license you need at least 650 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or Board Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCETMB)3 and a criminal background check4. The board lists $150 for the initial license5. You renew every 2 years6 and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education7.

Last checked · 18 official sources

Who issues it

Alabama Department of Public Health

Training and experience

Training: at least 650 clock hours2

Exam

Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or Board Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCETMB)3

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $1505

Renewal

Every 2 years6, at least 16 hours of continuing education7

From another state

License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses43 Details

On this page
  1. Alabama massage therapist licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Massage Therapist (LMT) license
  4. Requirements for a Massage Therapist (LMT) license
  5. How much a Massage Therapist (LMT) license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to Alabama with a license from another state
  9. Massage Therapy Establishment License
  10. Massage Therapy Instructor Registration
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Common questions
  13. Massage therapist licenses in other states

Alabama massage therapist licenses

Alabama issues 3 massage therapist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Massage Therapist (LMT)Advertising massage or related touch therapy, holding out as a massage therapist, or practicing massage therapy on the public for pay requires a license.8Training 650 clock hours2Yes4$1505
Massage Therapy Establishment LicenseEvery business offering massage therapy needs an establishment license for a physical location; outcall-only businesses must still keep an inspectable location.9––$35010
Massage Therapy Instructor Registration–Experience 3 years11–$10012

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Alabama massage therapist licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

How to apply

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years613

2. Every license level except Massage Therapist (LMT)

From another state

Route
No reciprocity

Who needs a Massage Therapist (LMT) license

Advertising massage or related touch therapy, holding out as a massage therapist, or practicing massage therapy on the public for pay requires a license.8

Work that does not need this license:

  • Students under a massage therapy instructor, temporary-permit holders, other licensed professionals within scope, massage of immediate family, visiting instructors (under 100 CE teaching hours a year), disaster-relief teams, Native American healers, and people working under delegation from a physician, physical therapist or chiropractor are exempt.14
  • Unless exempt, a massage therapist may practice only at or through a licensed massage therapy establishment, including outcall work.15

Requirements for a Massage Therapist (LMT) license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training
At least 650 clock hours2
The board's words

“Complete a minimum of 650 hours of instruction in massage therapy that satisfies the requirements of the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Act.”


Who may teach it: Instruction from a massage therapy school; a primary-source official transcript must be sent to the program.3
Alternative: For applicants licensed in another state whose program did not match Alabama criteria, continuing education, work experience or other factors may be considered at the board's discretion.3
Exam
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or Board Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCETMB)3
Exam waived: ADPH may approve other state exams case by case; it is not currently accepting Texas exams in place of a national exam.2
Background check
Background check required4
Fingerprints required16
The department may deny or discipline an applicant convicted of a felony or of any crime connected with massage therapy practice.4
Residency or citizenship
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence is required.2
Insurance
Professional and general liability insurance with an "A"-rated or better carrier of at least $1 million.3
Also required
Applicants may be required to attend an initial in-person board hearing.3

How much a Massage Therapist (LMT) license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$1505Alabama Department of Public HealthTwo-year license; application and license fee combined. Not refundable. Effective June 23, 2025
Temporary license or permit$505Alabama Department of Public HealthNot refundable
Duplicate or replacement license$3012Alabama Department of Public HealthNot refundable
License verification to another state$3512Alabama Department of Public HealthNot refundable

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

  1. Finish a 650-hour massage program and pass the MBLEx or BCETMB; have the school transcript and score report sent to the ADPH Massage Therapy Program.2
  2. Get $1 million professional and general liability insurance and gather proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence.2
  3. Create an account and apply online through the ADPH massage gateway, paying the $150 license fee.2 gateway.amtlb.alabama.gov2
  4. Only after the application is submitted, register with FieldPrint for state and FBI fingerprinting.16
Temporary or provisional license
First-time applicants with a complete application may get a one-time Temporary Permit for Supervised Practice ($50), limited to a named licensed establishment with an on-site supervising LMT; it ends at 120 days, licensure or denial.3

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Renew biennially on or before the license anniversary date.3
Renewal fee
$1255
Continuing education
At least 16 hours each renewal period7
Approved courses
CE must come from board-approved providers; one hour is at least 50 uninterrupted minutes; certificates are uploaded with the renewal.7
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $1755 (expired license)
If it expires
A license expired up to five years may be reinstated with a reactivation fee, CE, background check and exam evidence; after more than five years it cannot be reinstated.2
Renewal requires a new criminal history background check.6

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Alabama Massage Therapist (LMT) license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Alabama with a license from another state

These are the routes the Alabama Department of Public Health publishes for the Massage Therapist (LMT) license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Therapists licensed in another state may be licensed by endorsement if that state's requirements when they were first licensed were equal to or stricter than Alabama's; school transcript, license verification from every state, background check and insurance are required.4
Conditions
License verification from each state of licensure, even if expired.2
Fee
$15012
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Spouses of service members with an active, unencumbered license in another state may get a 365-day service-member-spouse temporary permit and are exempt from the initial license fee.3

Massage Therapy Establishment License

Every business offering massage therapy needs an establishment license for a physical location; outcall-only businesses must still keep an inspectable location.9

Requirements

Background check
Background check required18
Fingerprints required10
LMT applicants with a background check in the past two years are exempt from a second check.18
Residency or citizenship
Citizenship or lawful-presence documents for each owner, director, officer, partner or member.10
Insurance
$1 million professional and general liability insurance with an "A"-rated carrier, in the establishment's name.10
Business requirements
Applicant must own, lease or legally possess the premises and prove it with a deed or lease.18
Business requirements
The location is inspected before the license is granted.18
Business requirements
Only licensed massage therapists may work there, and one LMT must be the registered designee responsible for compliance.18
Business requirements
Sexually oriented businesses cannot be licensed as massage establishments.18

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$35010Alabama Department of Public HealthNot refundable. Effective June 23, 2025

How to apply

  1. Secure the premises (deed or lease) and $1 million liability insurance in the establishment's name.10
  2. Apply online through the ADPH gateway with lawful-presence documents and supplemental regulatory questionnaires for each owner, and pay $350.10 gateway.amtlb.alabama.gov2
  3. Each owner/officer completes FieldPrint fingerprinting after the application is filed; ADPH inspects the location before issuing the license.10

Renewal

Renewal fee
$25010
If it expires
Renewal requires a list of all LMTs employed with their license numbers.10

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Massage Therapy Instructor Registration

Requirements

Experience
At least 3 years11
Three years of massage therapy practice, documented by business licenses, tax returns, advertising, memberships, appointment books or unrelated third-party statements.13
License you must hold first: Active Alabama massage therapist license.11

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$10012Alabama Department of Public HealthNot refundable. Effective June 23, 2025

How to apply

  1. Holding an active Alabama LMT, apply on the ADPH gateway with proof of three years of practice and pay $100.11 gateway.amtlb.alabama.gov2

Renewal

Renewal fee
$10012

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Massage Therapist (LMT) license in Alabama?

The rules set at least 650 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my massage therapist license to Alabama?

The Alabama Department of Public Health publishes this route for the Massage Therapist (LMT) license: license by endorsement4. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Massage Therapist (LMT) license in Alabama?

Every 2 years6. Continuing education: at least 16 hours7. The renewal fee is $1255.

Massage therapist licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. ADPH Massage Therapy licensingAlabama Department of Public HealthDated August 21, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  2. ADPH Massage Therapy therapistsAlabama Department of Public HealthDated September 3, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  3. Ala. Admin. Code ch. 532-X-3Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated September 14, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  4. Code of Ala. 1975 s. 34-43A-8Alabama LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Ala. Admin. Code ch. 532-X-1Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated November 14, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  6. Code of Ala. 1975 s. 34-43A-11Alabama LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
  7. Ala. Admin. Code ch. 532-X-6Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated November 14, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Code of Ala. 1975 s. 34-43A-3Alabama LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Ala. Admin. Code ch. 532-X-4Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated September 14, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  10. ADPH Massage Therapy establishmentsAlabama Department of Public HealthDated September 3, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  11. ADPH Massage Therapy instructorsAlabama Department of Public HealthDated August 20, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  12. ADPH Massage Therapy fee-scheduleAlabama Department of Public HealthDated August 20, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  13. Ala. Admin. Code ch. 532-X-9Alabama Legislative Services AgencyDated November 14, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
  14. Code of Ala. 1975 s. 34-43A-4Alabama LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
  15. Code of Ala. 1975 s. 34-43A-7Alabama LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  16. ADPH Massage Therapy fingerprintingAlabama Department of Public HealthDated August 21, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  17. Military spouse initial licensure fee waiver applicationAlabama Department of Public HealthDated October 6, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  18. Code of Ala. 1975 s. 34-43A-9Alabama LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026