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How to get a Massage Therapist license in Iowa

Iowa licenses massage therapists statewide through the Board of Massage Therapy.1 For the Massage Therapist (licensed massage therapist, L.M.T.) license you need at least 600 clock hours2 of education and a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or any NCBTMB examination3. The board lists $120 for the initial license4. You renew every 2 years5 and complete at least 16 hours of continuing education6.

Last checked · 8 official sources

Who issues it

Board of Massage Therapy

Training and experience

Training: at least 600 clock hours2

Exam

Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or any NCBTMB examination3

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $1204

Renewal

Every 2 years5, at least 16 hours of continuing education6

From another state

License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Temporary license or permit175 Details

On this page
  1. Iowa 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 Iowa with a license from another state
  9. Temporary license
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Rule changes since January 2024
  13. Common questions
  14. Massage therapist licenses in other states

Iowa massage therapist licenses

Iowa 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 license (massage therapist)Performance for compensation of massage, myotherapy, bodywork or therapeutic massage (incl. hydrotherapy, hot/cold, vibration, topical applications) manipulating muscle and connective tissue, excluding bone, to enhance health, relax muscles, increase range of motion, reduce stress, relieve pain or improve circulation.5–No5$1204
Massage Therapist (licensed massage therapist, L.M.T.)Performance for compensation of massage, myotherapy, bodywork or therapeutic massage (incl. hydrotherapy, hot/cold, vibration, topical applications) manipulating muscle and connective tissue, excluding bone, to enhance health, relax muscles, increase range of motion, reduce stress, relieve pain or improve circulation.5Training 600 clock hours2Yes1$1204

Applies to every license level

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

What it covers

Performance for compensation of massage, myotherapy, bodywork or therapeutic massage (incl. hydrotherapy, hot/cold, vibration, topical applications) manipulating muscle and connective tissue, excluding bone, to enhance health, relax muscles, increase range of motion, reduce stress, relieve pain or improve circulation.5

Requirements

Background check
Criminal convictions are assessed under DIAL model rules. Applicants by verification must send their complete criminal record if they have one.3
Residency or citizenship
U.S. citizenship or lawful presence is verified through SAVE.3

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$1204Board of Massage TherapyNot refundable

How to apply

Who needs a Massage Therapist license

Work that does not need this license:

  • Exempt: licensed physicians, chiropractors, cosmetologists, podiatrists, nurses, PT/OT, athletic trainers, PAs; out-of-state therapists briefly in Iowa to teach; supervised students; family members; reflexology; Feldenkrais/Trager-type movement work; energy work; disaster response teams.1

Requirements for a Massage Therapist license

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

High school diploma or GED
Required2
Education or training
At least 600 clock hours2
Completion of the curriculum at a board-approved massage school of at least 600 hours of supervised academic instruction; official transcripts sent by the school.3
Who may teach it: School recognized by the board of the state where it is located (or a similar board), not sanctioned by NCBTMB; Iowa curricula cover 10 content areas, include at least 200 hours (100 anatomy & physiology) before clinic, and clinical practicum is capped at 25% of hours.2
Alternative: Schools under 600 hours or sanctioned schools need board review before a license is issued.3
Alternative: Foreign-trained applicants need an equivalency evaluation (IERF, ICA or Josef Silny) and board approval.5
Alternative: Applicants who moved from a state without massage licensure may substitute three years of work experience within the last four years for the education requirement.5
Exam
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or any NCBTMB examination3
Given by: FSMTB (MBLEx) or NCBTMB, as named in the rule5
Passing score: The passing point set by the testing authority when the test was taken.5
Also required
License and proof of active licensure must be displayed at the primary practice site; on a peace officer's request the therapist must show the license and government ID.5
Also required
Verification from the most recent other state license is required (web verification accepted if it shows name, initial date, status and discipline).5

How much a Massage Therapist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Duplicate or replacement license$204Board of Massage TherapyNot refundable
License verification to another state$204Board of Massage TherapyNot 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. Complete at least 600 hours at a board-approved massage school (high school diploma or equivalent needed for admission).5
  2. Pass the MBLEx or an NCBTMB exam and ask the testing body to send your score directly to the board.3
  3. Apply online through the DIAL Professional Licensure Portal and pay the $120 nonrefundable license fee.3 amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us3
  4. Have the school send official transcripts and any other state send license verification directly to the board (documents can also be emailed to the board office).3
  5. Complete SAVE lawful-presence verification.3
Temporary or provisional license
Out-of-state licensees who do not meet endorsement and do not seek verification may get a one-year, non-renewable temporary license ($120).5

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years5
Renewal fee
$604 (Each two-year renewal)
Continuing education
At least 16 hours each renewal period6
Required topics
At least 8 of the 16 hours must be in person or live real-time interactive; teaching/presenting capped at 4 hours per biennium.6
Mandatory child/dependent adult abuse reporter training for licensees who treat children or dependent adults; hours count toward CE.5
Approved courses
The board does not pre-approve providers; licensees keep certificates for four years for audit. Up to 8 excess hours carry over.3
Exemptions
No CE for the first renewal.5
Extension or exemption for disability or illness on a board form signed by a health care professional.3
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $604 (renewal within the 30-day grace period)
Reinstatement fee: $1204 (reactivating an inactive (lapsed) license)
If it expires
30-day grace period with $60 late fee; after that the license is inactive and cannot be used until reactivated.5
Reactivation ($120): 16 CE hours within two years; if inactive more than five years, also two years of licensed practice elsewhere or a passed exam within two years.4

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Iowa Massage Therapist (licensed massage therapist, L.M.T.) license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Iowa with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board of Massage Therapy 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 whose requirements equal or exceed Iowa's: online application, $120 fee, transcripts, MBLEx/NCBTMB pass and license verification.1
Fee
$1204
Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
Licensure by verification (Iowa Code 272C.12) for those licensed in a state with a substantially similar scope who cannot meet endorsement: attestation, scope statement and laws of the other state; no exam.7
Conditions
Not available to anyone whose license was revoked or surrendered elsewhere; pending complaints delay the decision.7
Route
Temporary license or permit
What the board says
One-year non-renewable temporary license for out-of-state licensees who enroll in an approved Iowa curriculum to make up missing requirements.5
Fee
$1204

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Iowa boards must expedite applications from licensed military spouses and veterans (Iowa Code 272C; statewide rules in state_policy/ia).8

Temporary license

Requirements

Education or training
Must be enrolled in a board-approved Iowa curriculum with a plan to finish remaining requirements within one year.5
Experience
Must hold a massage therapy license in another jurisdiction.5
License you must hold first: Current license in another jurisdiction, verified directly by that jurisdiction.5
Exam
MBLEx or NCBTMB (needed to convert to a permanent license)5
Not required5

How to apply

  1. Apply online, pay the $120 temporary license fee, have your current state send license verification, and submit a plan with proof of enrollment in an approved Iowa massage curriculum.4 amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us3
  2. Within the year, have the school send transcripts and the exam body send your MBLEx/NCBTMB pass to receive the permanent license.5
Temporary or provisional license
Valid up to one year; not renewable.5

Renewal

When it expires
Up to one year; not renewable.5

From another state

Route
Temporary license or permit
What the board says
This credential is itself the out-of-state bridge route.5
Fee
$1204

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

File a complaint
dial.iowa.gov3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • May 21, 2025: CE rule 481 IAC 823.2 amended (ARC 9107C).6
  • July 17, 2024: Massage rules moved from 645 IAC (HHS) to 481 IAC ch. 821-825 under DIAL (ARC 8051C).5

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Massage Therapist license in Iowa?

The rules set at least 600 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 Iowa?

The Board of Massage Therapy publishes these routes for the Massage Therapist license: license by endorsement1, universal license recognition7 and temporary license or permit5. Conditions and forms.

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

Every 2 years5. Continuing education: at least 16 hours6. The renewal fee is $604.

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. Iowa Code ch. 152C Massage TherapyIowa LegislatureDated December 9, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  2. 481 IAC ch. 822 Massage Therapy Education CurriculumIowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  3. Massage Therapy (DIAL licensing page)Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and LicensingChecked November 8, 2026
  4. 481 IAC ch. 507 Professional Licensing Division FeesIowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  5. 481 IAC ch. 821 Licensure of Massage TherapistsIowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  6. 481 IAC ch. 823 Continuing Education for Massage TherapistsIowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. 481 IAC ch. 501 Licensure by Verification or Work ExperienceIowa LegislatureDated September 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  8. 1 REGULATION OF LICENSED PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS, §272C.1Iowa LegislatureDated December 9, 2025Checked November 8, 2026