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How to get a Massage Therapist license in Connecticut

Connecticut licenses massage therapists statewide through the Department of Public Health (DPH).1 For the Massage Therapist license you need at least 750 classroom hours2 of training, at least 60 hours of on-the-job training2, a passing score on the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork formerly given by NCBTMB2 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $375 for the application1. You renew every 2 years1 and complete at least 24 hours of continuing education3.

Last checked · 10 official sources

Who issues it

Department of Public Health (DPH)

Training and experience

Training: at least 750 classroom hours2
Experience: at least 60 hours of on-the-job training2

Exam

Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork formerly given by NCBTMB2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $3751

Renewal

Every 2 years1, at least 24 hours of continuing education3

From another state

License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Interstate compact privilege14 Details

On this page
  1. Connecticut 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 Connecticut with a license from another state
  9. Temporary permit
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Common questions
  13. Massage therapist licenses in other states

Connecticut massage therapist licenses

Connecticut 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
Temporary permit (massage therapist)Practice as a massage therapist only under a CT-licensed massage therapist who is physically present on the premises and immediately available.1Training 750 classroom hours2No1$3751
Massage TherapistSystematic and scientific manipulation and treatment of the soft tissues of the body by pressure, friction, stroking, percussion, kneading, vibration, range of motion and nonspecific stretching; excludes diagnosis, prescribing, spinal or other joint manipulation and services needing another health license.1Training 750 classroom hours2
Experience 60 hours2		Yes1$3751

Applies to every license level

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

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$3751DPH

How to apply

Apply online
elicense.ct.gov2

Who needs a Massage Therapist license

Systematic and scientific manipulation and treatment of the soft tissues of the body by pressure, friction, stroking, percussion, kneading, vibration, range of motion and nonspecific stretching; excludes diagnosis, prescribing, spinal or other joint manipulation and services needing another health license.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Students of massage therapy performing unpaid work as part of their course of study at a qualifying school are exempt.1
  • Thai yoga by a Yoga Alliance-registered yoga teacher with 200 hours of Thai yoga training is outside the definition of massage therapy.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Practising without a license or using a protected title is a class C misdemeanor, as is knowingly employing an unlicensed person.1

Requirements for a Massage Therapist license

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

Education or training
At least 750 classroom hours2
Graduation from a massage therapy school with at least 750 classroom hours (instructor present; online instruction not accepted) that held an NCBTMB school code and was accredited by a USDOE-recognized agency, a state post-secondary trade school board, or COMTA.1
Who may teach it: School held a current NCBTMB school code at graduation and was accredited by a USDOE-recognized agency or state board of post-secondary technical trade and business schools, or by COMTA.2
Alternative: Graduates of a CT school certified by the Commissioner of Education under sec. 10-7b may qualify if they graduated within 33 months of the curriculum first being offered (school must then obtain accreditation).1
Experience
At least 60 hours of on-the-job training2
At least 60 hours of unpaid, supervised clinical or internship experience, verified by a letter on letterhead sent by the licensed supervisor.2
Supervision: Supervised by a licensed supervisor who certifies dates, location and hours.2
Exam
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork formerly given by NCBTMB2
Given by: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)2
Exam waived: The NCBTMB National Examination for State Licensing (NESL) does not satisfy the exam requirement; applicants using the 4-year out-of-state route are not required to take an exam.2
Background check
Background check required2
No license is issued to an applicant with pending discipline or an unresolved complaint in any state; felony conviction is a ground for discipline.1
Also required
Applicants must have verifications sent directly by every state licensing authority where a license was ever held.2
Also required
Licensees must refer, in writing, any client with a contraindication or a condition needing evaluation beyond massage to a licensed healing arts practitioner.1

How much a Massage Therapist license costs

FeeAmountPaid to
National Practitioner Data Bank query$4.755DPH

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

How to apply

  1. Complete a 750-hour (in-person) massage program at a qualifying accredited school with an NCBTMB school code, including 60 unpaid supervised clinical/internship hours.2
  2. Pass the MBLEx (FSMTB). The NCBTMB NESL is not accepted.2
  3. Apply online through CT eLicense and pay $379.75 (the $375 application fee plus the $4.75 NPDB query).2 elicense.ct.gov2
  4. Have the school, the exam score report, the clinical supervisor letter and any other state licensing boards send verifications directly to DPH (410 Capitol Ave., MS #12 APP, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134).2

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years1
When it expires
Expires every two years on the last day of the licensee's birth month.6
Renewal fee
$2551 (Every two years)
Continuing education
At least 24 hours each renewal period3
Required topics
No more than 18 hours online/distance learning and no more than 12 hours from non-NCBTMB-approved providers.3
Approved courses
CE must relate to the licensee's practice; NCBTMB-approved providers qualify; DPH does not pre-approve courses. Keep certificates 6 years.3
Exemptions
First renewal is exempt.3
Licensees continuously licensed in CT since February 1, 1994 are exempt.3
Medical disability or illness waiver/extension, requested annually at renewal.3
If it expires
A license not renewed becomes void 90 days after its renewal date; after that the reinstatement process applies.7
A lapsed license is reinstated by online application with a resume, out-of-state verifications and an employment/skills verification; long absence from practice may require extra training or an exam.5
Renew online
elicense.ct.gov8

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Connecticut with a license from another state

These are the routes DPH 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
Licensed in another state, practiced at least 1 year immediately before applying, and passed the MBLEx or former NCBTMB national exam.1
Conditions
Verification of 1 year of practice and of the exam sent directly to DPH, plus verification from every state where licensed.9
Fee
$379.759
Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
Holder of a current license in another U.S. jurisdiction with at least 4 years of practice and all licenses in good standing may be licensed without transcripts, training verification or exam.4
Conditions
No discipline, pending complaints or surrender under investigation in any jurisdiction; pays the regular fees.4
Route
Interstate compact privilege

Military service members, veterans and spouses: CGS ch. 384a points to sec. 19a-88b for renewal of licenses that become void while the holder is on active duty in the U.S. armed forces.1

Temporary permit

Practice as a massage therapist only under a CT-licensed massage therapist who is physically present on the premises and immediately available.1

Requirements

Education or training
At least 750 classroom hours2
The board's words

“Graduation from a school of massage therapy offering a course of study of not less than seven hundred fifty (750) classroom hours with the instructor present”

Exam
Not yet taken / results pending (MBLEx)1
Not required1
Retakes: Permit becomes void if the permittee fails the exam; no permit for anyone who previously failed.1
Background check
No permit for a person with an unresolved complaint or pending discipline.1

How to apply

  1. Submit the massage therapist licensure application and fee online; DPH may issue the temporary permit with it if you have not yet tested.2 elicense.ct.gov2
  2. Practise only with a licensed massage therapist on site; the permit ends no later than 120 days after you finish school and cannot be renewed.1

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 Connecticut, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Connecticut is on the Connecticut license lookup page.

Look up a license
elicense.ct.gov10

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 Connecticut?

The rules set at least 750 classroom hours2 and at least 60 hours of on-the-job training2 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 Connecticut?

DPH publishes these routes for the Massage Therapist license: license by endorsement1, universal license recognition4 and interstate compact privilege1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Massage Therapist license in Connecticut?

Every 2 years1. Continuing education: at least 24 hours3. The renewal fee is $2551.

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. CGS Chapter 384a Massage TherapistsConnecticut General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Massage Therapist Licensing RequirementsConnecticut Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Massage Therapist Continuing Education RequirementsConnecticut Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Applicants Licensed In Another US State For At Least 4 YearsConnecticut Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Massage Therapist Reinstatement Of A Lapsed LicenseConnecticut Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Health Care Practitioner License Types that Expire BienniallyConnecticut Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Conn. Gen. Stat. 19a-88 (license renewal)Connecticut General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Health Care Practitioner Renewal InformationConnecticut Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Licensure Based On An Out-Of-State LicenseConnecticut Department of Public HealthChecked November 7, 2026
  10. DCP verify a licenseConnecticut Department of Consumer ProtectionChecked November 5, 2026