Minnesota has no state massage therapist license
Minnesota does not issue a state license for massage therapists.1 Cities and counties set their own rules; this page lists what Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Rochester require.
On this page
Is there a Minnesota massage therapist license?
No. Minnesota does not license massage therapists at the state level.1
- Until registration starts and afterwards, anyone may practice massage as an unlicensed CAP practitioner if they do not use the protected titles; protected titles apply from January 1, 2028.1
- Unlicensed CAP practitioners must give every client a written client bill of rights before treatment.2
The official wording“Nothing in sections 148.636 to 148.6377 shall be construed to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the practice of any individual who is engaged in providing complementary and alternative health care practices as defined in section 146A.01, subdivision 4, provided that the practitioner does not use a protected title under section 148.6364 or advertise or imply that the practitioner is registered under sections 148.636 to 148.6377.”1
Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Minn. Stat. 148.6365 subd. 2
City and county licenses
No state license today: Minneapolis licenses massage businesses only; Saint Paul licenses individual massage practitioners and centers; Rochester licenses individual massage therapists and massage businesses.3
| City or county | What it requires | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | Massage business license required (commercial, single operator or home-based; disciplinary history from MDH CAP attached); individual therapists need no city license. 2025 fees: commercial $163.00, home-based/single operator $63.00, plus $147.00 processing fee.3 | Official page3 |
| Saint Paul | Massage Practitioner License (Saint Paul Legislative Code ch. 414): prior Saint Paul license within 5 years, national certification exam, or transcript showing a postsecondary course of at least 500 contact hours; $1,000,000 general and $1,000,000 professional liability insurance naming the City; renewed annually. Fee $106 (additional location $31; temporary license $50).4 | Official page4 |
| Rochester | Massage Therapist license (RCO 5-15): $112 license plus $150 one-time investigation fee; massage business license $220 plus $250 investigation fee.5 | Official page5 |
Other rules: Registered Asian Bodywork Therapist (RABT)
- Education or training
- At least 625 clock hours6
The board's words
“(c) An Asian bodywork therapy school or program may require more than 625 total contact hours of education and training,”
Who may teach it: Postsecondary school licensed by or registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.6 - Exam
- Credentialing examination approved by the commissioner6
Exam waived: Not required for registration by endorsement or by prior experience.6 - Background check
- Background check required6
Application must list misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and felony convictions and any discipline.6 - Social Security number
- Social Security number required on the application.6
- Insurance
- Professional (or school) liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence and $6,000,000 annual aggregate.6
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $640.501 | Minnesota Department of Health | Not refundable |
| Temporary license or permit | $501 | Minnesota Department of Health | Not refundable |
| Returned check | $351 | Minnesota Department of Health | Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge, listed by the city or county named in its notes; they are not added up.
Other rules: Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
- Education or training
- At least 625 clock hours6
The board's words
“(2) includes at least 625 contact hours of education and training composed of 500 contact hours of instruction in the areas listed in paragraph (a) and 125 contact hours of student clinical practice.”
Who may teach it: Postsecondary school licensed by or registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.6
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a massage therapist in Minnesota, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Minnesota is on the Minnesota license lookup page.
- File a complaint
- health.state.mn.us7
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Rule changes since January 2024
- May 27, 2026: Laws 2026, ch. 115, art. 3 creates voluntary MDH registration for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists; titles protected from January 1, 2028; city licensing of therapists preempted from July 1, 2028.1
Massage therapist licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- 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
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Laws of Minnesota 2026, chapter 115 (H.F. 3825), article 3 Massage Therapy and Asian Bodywork Therapy…Minnesota Office of the Revisor of StatutesDated May 27, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Minn. Stat. ch. 146A Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practices (full chapter)Minnesota Office of the Revisor of StatutesChecked November 7, 2026
- Massage (business license)City of MinneapolisChecked November 8, 2026
- Massage Practitioner LicenseCity of Saint Paul Department of Safety and InspectionsChecked November 8, 2026
- Business LicensesCity of Rochester, MinnesotaChecked November 7, 2026
- Minn. Stat. 148.6366 Requirements for registration (massage therapist / Asian bodywork therapist)Minnesota Office of the Revisor of StatutesChecked November 8, 2026
- Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice (CAP)Minnesota Department of HealthDated July 31, 2024Checked November 7, 2026