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How to get a Massage Therapist License in Alaska

Alaska licenses massage therapists statewide through the Board of Massage Therapists.1 For the Massage Therapist License you need at least 625 clock hours1 of education, a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)2 and a criminal background check1. The board lists $200 for the application3 and $290 for the initial license3, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years2 and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education2.

Last checked · 10 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Massage Therapists

Training and experience

Training: at least 625 clock hours1

Exam

Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $2003
Initial license fee: $2903
Fingerprint and state background check: $754

Renewal

Every 2 years2, at least 16 hours of continuing education2

From another state

License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses12 Details

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

Alaska massage therapist licenses

Alaska issues 2 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 Establishment RegistrationA fixed or mobile business that conducts or permits massage for compensation or uses "massage" in advertising.2––$3003
Massage Therapist LicensePaid systematic manipulation and treatment of the body's soft tissues to enhance their function and promote relaxation; excludes diagnosis, prescribing, physical therapy and thrust manipulation of joints or spine.1Training 625 clock hours1Yes1$2003

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Alaska massage therapist license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

How to apply

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years26

Who needs a Massage Therapist License

Paid systematic manipulation and treatment of the body's soft tissues to enhance their function and promote relaxation; excludes diagnosis, prescribing, physical therapy and thrust manipulation of joints or spine.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Exempt: other licensees within scope, federal employees, visiting out-of-state teachers/consultants, supervised unpaid students, family-only massage, no-contact or light-touch methods, beauty wraps/exfoliation, school athletic departments, structural integration, movement-awareness methods, Native American traditional healers, and hands/feet/ears-only work by people not holding out as massage therapists.1

Requirements for a Massage Therapist License

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Minimum age
18 years old1
Education or training
At least 625 clock hours1
At least 625 hours of in-class supervised instruction and clinical work from an approved massage school, with practical application not more than 20 percent of program hours; online hours only through a board-approved monitoring program.2
Who may teach it: Approved massage school = authorized by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (or a similar agency in another state) or nationally accredited.1
Alternative: A board-approved apprenticeship program meeting COMTA and ELAP Core standards.2
Education or training
At least 2 clock hours8
At least two hours of bloodborne pathogens / universal precautions safety education within the two years before applying.1
Exam
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)2
Given by: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards2
Exam waived: NCBTMB National Certification exams are accepted only if taken before February 1, 2015.2
Background check
Background check required1
Fingerprints required8
Applicants convicted of a crime of moral turpitude may be licensed only if the board finds it does not affect safe, competent practice.1
Social Security number
A U.S. Social Security number must be on file, or an exemption request filed.8
Also required
Current CPR certification (Red Cross, AHA, ASHI or equivalent).1

How much a Massage Therapist License costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$2003Board of Massage TherapistsNot refundable
Initial license fee$2903Board of Massage Therapists–
Fingerprint and state background check$754Board of Massage TherapistsNot 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; check it with the exam provider, Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards2, when you schedule.

How to apply

  1. Complete a 625-hour approved program (or board-approved apprenticeship), pass the MBLEx, hold current CPR and take two hours of bloodborne-pathogens training.8
  2. Send the signed paper application (form 08-4659) with $565 in fees payable to the State of Alaska to the Board of Massage Therapists, PO Box 110806, Juneau.8 Form (PDF, commerce.alaska.gov)5
  3. Have the school send official transcripts directly to the division, and mail an FD-258 fingerprint card to the board.8
Temporary or provisional license
Temporary military courtesy license for active-duty members and spouses stationed in Alaska: 180 days, renewable once.2
Processing time
Mailed renewals: allow 4-6 weeks.9

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
All licenses expire September 30 of odd-numbered years; licenses issued within 90 days of that date run to the next cycle.8
Renewal fee
$2909
Continuing education
At least 16 hours each renewal period2
Required topics
2 hours ethics2
CPR course (hands-on CPR may count for 2 CE credits)2
Approved courses
CE from an approved massage school, an accredited college (board-approved course), or a professional massage organization such as ABMP, AMTA, FSMTB or NCBTMB.2
Exemptions
Licensed more than 90 days but less than 12 months of the cycle: no CE attestation needed.2
Late renewal
Fingerprint and state background check: $759
If it expires
No grace period: practicing on a lapsed license is illegal.9
Lapsed under three years: reinstate with CPR and CE proof; three years or more cannot be reinstated.2
Fingerprints again at least once every six years.1

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Alaska Massage Therapist License. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Alaska with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Massage Therapists publishes for the Massage Therapist License. The other massage therapist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Licensure by credentials: current license in a state or country with substantially equal or greater requirements, or certification by a board-approved entity; plus CPR, fingerprints and clean discipline record.1
States on Alaska's list
Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington5
This is the list of states whose licenses Alaska accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Alaska license.
Conditions
Each state of licensure sends a verification (form 08-4756c) showing 625 education hours and an approved exam; the board keeps a list of states it has reviewed.10
Fee
$56510
Route
Military service members and spouses
What the board says
Temporary military courtesy license for active-duty members or spouses with orders to Alaska and a substantially equivalent license elsewhere; issued within 30 days of a complete application.2
Fee
$1004

Massage Establishment Registration

A fixed or mobile business that conducts or permits massage for compensation or uses "massage" in advertising.2

Requirements

Business requirements
Current Alaska business license (AS 43.70).2
Business requirements
Notarized self-inspection report certifying compliance with establishment standards.6
Business requirements
Registration is not transferable; a new owner must apply within 30 business days and before operating.6

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$3003Board of Massage TherapistsNot refundable
Massage therapy establishment change of location fee$653Board of Massage Therapists–
Fee for each investigation of an unregistered massage therapy establishment$2,0003Board of Massage TherapistsUnregistered establishments that are investigated

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

How to apply

  1. Get an Alaska business license and complete the notarized self-inspection checklist (form 08-4733a).6
  2. Mail form 08-4733 with the $300 registration fee to the Board of Massage Therapists.6 Form (PDF, commerce.alaska.gov)5

Renewal

Renewal fee
$3003

From another state

Route
No reciprocity

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a massage therapist in Alaska, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Alaska is on the Alaska license lookup page.

Look up a license
commerce.alaska.gov7

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 License in Alaska?

The rules set at least 625 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Mailed renewals: allow 4-6 weeks.9

Can I transfer my massage therapist license to Alaska?

The Board of Massage Therapists publishes this route for the Massage Therapist License: license by endorsement1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Massage Therapist License in Alaska?

Every 2 years2. Continuing education: at least 16 hours2. The renewal fee is $2909.

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. Alaska Statutes ch. 08.61 Massage TherapistsAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  2. 12 AAC 79 Board of Massage TherapistsAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
  3. 12 AAC 02.396 Massage therapist feesAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  4. 12 AAC 02.105 Fingerprint feesAlaska State LegislatureChecked November 8, 2026
  5. Board of Massage Therapists applications and formsAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingChecked November 8, 2026
  6. Massage Establishment Registration applicationAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingDated August 4, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  7. Board of Massage Therapists homeAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingChecked November 8, 2026
  8. Massage Therapist License by Examination applicationAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingDated October 15, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  9. Massage Therapist Reinstatement applicationAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingDated July 16, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  10. Massage Therapist License by Credentials applicationAlaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional LicensingDated May 14, 2026Checked November 8, 2026