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How to get a Massage Therapist license in Michigan

Michigan licenses massage therapists statewide through the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy.1 For the Massage Therapist (license) you need at least 625 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) from FSMTB; or the NCBTMB NCETMB if taken before November 1, 20142 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $20 for the application3 and $75 for the initial license (License fee, per year)3, each a separate charge. You renew every 3 years1 and complete at least 18 hours of continuing education2.

Last checked · 7 official sources

Who issues it

Michigan Board of Massage Therapy

Training and experience

Training: at least 625 clock hours2

Exam

Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) from FSMTB; or the NCBTMB NCETMB if taken before November 1, 20142

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $203
Initial license fee (License fee, per year): $753

Renewal

Every 3 years1, at least 18 hours of continuing education2

From another state

License by endorsement4 Details

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

Who needs a Massage Therapist license

Work that does not need this license:

  • No license needed for Feldenkrais/Trager-type movement work, polarity, Asian bodywork, Reiki or shiatsu (if not called massage), reflexology, structural integration; other licensees within their scope; supervised students; self-care and unpaid care by friends or family.1

Requirements for a Massage Therapist license

Minimum age
18 years old4
Education or training
At least 625 clock hours2
The board's words

“a supervised curriculum must include, at a minimum, 625 hours of courses or coursework and satisfy both of the following:”


Who may teach it: Curriculum must be approved by the board: offered by an NCBTMB-assigned school or by a school accredited by a CHEA- or US Dept. of Education-recognized accreditor; massage schools are licensed by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.2
Alternative: Foreign-trained applicants: substantially equivalent curriculum shown by a NACES-member credential evaluation, plus the exam.2
Alternative: Substantially equivalent out-of-state program (500 h if enrolled before Aug 1, 2017; 625 h after) accepted on case-by-case board review.4
Exam
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) from FSMTB; or the NCBTMB NCETMB if taken before November 1, 20142
Given by: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)2
Passing score: The passing score recommended by the FSMTB (MBLEx) or NCBTMB (NCETMB).2
Exam waived: Endorsement applicants licensed elsewhere 3 years or more do not need to show an exam score; those licensed under 3 years must pass an exam adopted under R 338.734.2
Background check
Background check required2
Fingerprints required2
Good moral character as defined in 1974 PA 381 (MCL 338.41); other licenses must be disclosed with verification that no discipline is pending.4
Also required
Human-trafficking identification training is required for applicants and licensees.2
Also required
Applicants need at least 2 hours of implicit bias training completed within the 5 years before the license is issued.5
Also required
Applicants must show working knowledge of English (e.g. program taught in English or approved test score).5

How much a Massage Therapist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$203Michigan Board of Massage Therapy–
Initial license fee (License fee, per year)$753Michigan Board of Massage TherapyCharged per year of the 3-year license cycle (R 338.7002)

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 a board-approved supervised massage curriculum (625 hours for students enrolled since January 10, 2020).2
  2. Pass the MBLEx (FSMTB).2
  3. Complete human-trafficking and implicit bias training.2
  4. Apply online through MiPLUS and pay the application processing and license fees.2 aca-prod.accela.com6

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 3 years1
When it expires
Expires triennially on the issue date.5
Renewal fee
$753 (Per year of the 3-year renewal cycle)
Continuing education
At least 18 hours each renewal period2
Required topics
At least 1 hour in pain and symptom management.2
At least 2 hours in professional ethics or boundaries.2
Implicit bias training: 1 hour for each year of the license cycle (may count toward CE).5
Approved courses
Programs approved or offered by NCBTMB or FSMTB (or their approved sponsors), or a board-approved massage school; max 12 hours per 24-hour period; no carry-over.2
Exemptions
CE does not apply if licensed for less than 3 years.2
If it expires
Lapsed licenses: relicensure under MCL 333.16201 with application, fee, 18 h CE in the prior 3 years; fingerprints if lapsed 3+ years; re-pass the exam if lapsed 7+ years and not licensed elsewhere.2

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Michigan with a license from another state

These are the routes the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy publishes for the Massage Therapist license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
License by endorsement for holders of an active license in good standing elsewhere in a state with substantially equivalent standards: good moral character, age 18, fingerprints, license disclosure; if licensed under 3 years also an approved curriculum and passing exam score.4
Conditions
Licensed 3 years or more: education and exam rows are not ticked in the R 338.737 table.2

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
aca-prod.accela.com7

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 Michigan?

The rules set at least 625 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 Michigan?

The Michigan Board of Massage Therapy publishes this route for the Massage Therapist license: license by endorsement4. Conditions and forms.

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

Every 3 years1. Continuing education: at least 18 hours2. The renewal fee is $753.

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. MCL 333.17957 Massage therapy; license required; exceptionsMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Dated January 9, 2009Checked November 8, 2026
  2. Massage Therapy - General Rules, R 338.701 to R 338.752Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Michigan Administrative Rules System)Dated November 21, 2022Checked November 8, 2026
  3. MCL 333.16334 Massage therapist; feesMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Dated January 9, 2009Checked November 7, 2026
  4. MCL 333.17959 Massage therapist; license; issuance; requirementsMichigan Legislature (Legislative Service Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Public Health Code – General Rules, R 338.7001 to R 338.7005Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Michigan Administrative Rules System)Checked November 8, 2026
  6. MiPLUS (LARA Accela Citizen Access) homeMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MiPLUS, Accela Citizen Access)Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Find / Verify a Licensed Professional or BusinessMichigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsChecked November 7, 2026