How to get a Certified Massage Technician license in Delaware

Delaware massage therapist licenses

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

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Delaware 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)

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years²

When it expires

All massage licenses, certificates and establishment licenses expire August 31 of even-numbered years.⁵

Renew online

delpros.delaware.gov⁵

2. Every license level except Massage Establishment

Fees

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

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 24 hours each renewal period²

Required topics

3 hours ethics (classroom or online)²
9 hours core credits in a classroom hands-on setting²
12 hours elective or core, may be online; online may not exceed 50% of total²

Approved courses

Courses approved by NCBTMB, AMTA or ABMP are automatically approved; others need Board pre-approval (Service Request; $45 when submitted by a provider, free when submitted by a Delaware licensee).²

3. Every license level except Licensed Massage Therapist

From another state

4. Every license level except Certified Massage Technician

How to apply

Apply online

delpros.delaware.gov⁶

Who needs a Certified Massage Technician license

Massage/bodywork on other than medically diagnosed conditions; may not practice on physician/chiropractor referral or prescription.¹

How much a Certified Massage Technician license costs

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

How to apply

1. New applicants cannot obtain a CMT; apply for the Licensed Massage Therapist license instead. Current CMTs who hold a CMT by original license can upgrade to LMT in DELPROS.⁵ delpros.delaware.gov⁶

Renewal and continuing education

If it expires

An expired CMT cannot be reapplied for; the holder must apply for an LMT license.⁵
Late renewal is allowed for up to 1 year after expiry with a late fee; practicing while expired is illegal; after 1 year you must re-apply as a new applicant.⁵

Licensed Massage Therapist

May practice massage and bodywork, including on referral or prescription from a physician, osteopath or chiropractor and on medically diagnosed conditions, limited to techniques the therapist was trained in.¹

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old¹

Education or training

At least 625 clock hours¹
Began massage program on/after July 1, 2024: 625 hours (hybrid allowed per rules) incl. 100 anatomy & physiology, 300 technique & theory, 200 electives, 25 ethics/law/contraindications.¹
Who may teach it: A school that trains massage/bodywork therapists, with proof of the school/program's state approval covering your attendance.⁶
Alternative: Foreign-trained applicants must show essentially comparable training and supervision.¹

Education or training

At least 500 clock hours¹

The board's words

“a. For an applicant who began a massage program before July 1, 2024, has completed 500 hours of supervised in-class study”

Exam

Given by: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)²
Passing score: Passing score set by FSMTB.²

Background check

Background check required⁶
Fingerprints required⁶
Crimes substantially related to massage bar licensure unless waived; felony sexual offenses cannot be waived.¹

Also required

Current CPR certification (state-certified exam); online CPR not accepted; lower-limb amputees exempt.¹

Also required

License verification from every jurisdiction where a license was ever held.⁶

Fees

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. Create a DELPROS account and start the Massage Therapist application (finish within 6 months).⁶ delpros.delaware.gov⁶
2. Get the Board service code and complete the State + FBI fingerprint check through IdentoGO.⁶
3. Have FSMTB send your official MBLEx score report directly to the Board.⁶
4. Upload a current in-person CPR card; have your school send an official transcript, and supply proof of state school approval and the school catalog.⁶
5. Have every state where you hold or held a license send a verification; pay the $175 application fee in DELPROS.⁶

Processing time

Complete applications are reviewed on or before the next Board meeting.⁷

Renewal

Exemptions

License issued less than 12 months before the renewal date: rule 9.3.2 requires 12 CE hours, while rule 9.3.3 exempts those first licensed 12 months or less before renewal.²
Hardship extension (disability, illness, absence, family responsibilities) if requested in writing before the period ends.²

If it expires

Late renewal is allowed for up to 1 year after expiry with a late fee; practicing while expired is illegal; after 1 year you must re-apply as a new applicant.⁵
Inactive status may be requested before expiry; inactive renewals need no CE or CPR; reactivation needs 24 CE hours in the prior 2 years and current CPR.⁵
Current CPR certification is required at renewal (online CPR courses not accepted for audit).²

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Massage Establishment

Required for each place of business where massage is offered/conducted or that advertises massage; not for out-call client homes, a therapist's unadvertised residence, physician/PT/chiropractic offices, long-term care, athletic training or other Title 24-licensed businesses.⁴

Requirements

Business requirements

Notarized Professional-in-Charge Statement, floor plan with dimensions/exits/restrooms, DE business license, municipal license if required, corporate charter and registered-agent statement if incorporated, and a list of owners/officers/employees with license numbers.⁸

Business requirements

Everyone providing professional services must hold the appropriate professional license.⁸

Fees

How to apply

1. Get a Delaware Division of Revenue business license and any city/town license.⁸
2. Apply in DELPROS with the notarized Professional-in-Charge statement, floor plan and ownership list, and pay $50.⁸ delpros.delaware.gov⁶

Application form

Form (PDF, dprfiles.delaware.gov)⁹

Renewal

If it expires

Operating while the establishment license is expired is illegal.⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Massage EstablishmentA copy of the city/town business license (where required, e.g. Wilmington, Dover, Rehoboth Beach) must accompany the application, along with the Delaware Division of Revenue business license.⁸

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

delpros.delaware.gov¹⁰

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• 24 Del. C. ch. 53 (Massage and Bodywork)
• 24 DE Admin. Code 5300 (Board of Massage and Bodywork)
• 24 Del. C. § 5307(d)-(e), § 5302(5)
• 24 DE Admin. Code 5300-12.0 (Massage Establishments)

Rule changes since January 2024

• January 1, 2025: Certified Massage Technician credential closed to new applicants after Dec 31, 2024.¹
• July 1, 2024: HB 386 raised minimum education from 500 to 625 hours for students starting on or after July 1, 2024.⁶

Common questions

Massage therapist licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin