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How to get a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license in Montana

Montana licenses massage therapists statewide through the Montana Board of Massage Therapy.1 For the Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license you need at least 500 clock hours1 of education, a passing score on the MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL or NCETM examination, or an equivalent state examination2 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $140 for the application3.

Last checked · 6 official sources

Who issues it

Montana Board of Massage Therapy

Training and experience

Training: at least 500 clock hours1

Exam

MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL or NCETM examination, or an equivalent state examination2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $1403

From another state

Multistate license (interstate compact)1 Details

On this page
  1. Who needs a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license
  2. Requirements for a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license
  3. How much a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license costs
  4. How to apply
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. Moving to Montana with a license from another state
  7. Check a license or report a problem
  8. Laws and rules
  9. Rule changes since January 2024
  10. Common questions
  11. Massage therapist licenses in other states

Who needs a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license

Structured touch, pressure, positioning or holding of soft tissue (Swedish massage, effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, stretching within normal range, hydro/thermal and topical applications), self-care information and deciding whether massage is contraindicated or referral is needed, applied with hands, forearms, elbows, knees, feet or hand-held tools. Excludes diagnosis, high-velocity thrust manipulation, exercise prescription, injection, laser, diathermy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and similar modalities.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Other licensed professions (medicine, nursing, PT, chiropractic, cosmetology, athletic training, etc.) are not limited; CE instructors and supervised students in board-approved programs need no license; Native American traditional healing and faith healing are exempt.1
  • Movement education (Feldenkrais, Trager), energy work (polarity, Asian bodywork, acupressure, reiki, shiatsu), structural integration (Rolfing, Hellerwork) and reflexology are exempt only if the person meets a credentialing organization's standards and does not call the service massage therapy.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Title protection: unlicensed persons may not use "massage therapist", "licensed massage therapist", "L.M.T.", "masseur" or "masseuse".1
  • Massage therapy businesses are not separately licensed by the board, but must conspicuously display the license of each massage therapist working there (mobile practice: license readily available), and may be inspected during business hours.1

Requirements for a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license

Minimum age
18 years old4
High school diploma or GED
Required4
Education or training
At least 500 clock hours1
Massage therapy program of at least 500 hours meeting curriculum guidelines of an NCCA-accredited program or organization: 200 h massage/bodywork assessment, theory and application; 150 h anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology; 150 h business, ethics and related fields (ARM 24.155.605).4
Who may teach it: Program must meet or exceed curriculum guidelines established by a program or organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or its equivalent or successor.1
Alternative: Instead of the program + exam, hold an equivalent current license, certification or registration in good standing from another state.1
Exam
MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL or NCETM examination, or an equivalent state examination2
Given by: FSMTB (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) for the MBLEx: the board sends an eligible-to-test letter to FSMTB after approving the education4
When you can take it: After the board approves the applicant's education against ARM 24.155.605, it sends an eligible-to-test letter to FSMTB; the applicant then schedules the exam.4
Background check
Background check required2
No fingerprints required1
Personal history questions 1-14 (discipline, impairment, criminal convictions, pending charges); a criminal conviction does not automatically bar a license.2
Also required
Must be of good moral character.1

How much a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1403Montana Board of Massage TherapyNot refundable
Litigation fund fee$53Montana Board 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 a 500-hour massage program meeting the ARM 24.155.605 curriculum.4
  2. Apply online through the DLI licensing portal (recommended) or on the paper application, paying the $140 application fee plus the $5 litigation fund fee.4 ebiz.mt.gov4
  3. Have the school send a certified transcript or certificate of completion (high school) and have every state where you hold or held a license send verification directly to the board.4
  4. After the board approves your education it sends FSMTB an eligible-to-test letter; schedule and pass the exam and have the score sent directly to the board.4
Apply online
ebiz.mt.gov3
Temporary or provisional license
For military spouses and other endorsement applicants, if all other requirements are met while out-of-state verifications are pending, DLI may issue a provisional license with a reservation of rights that acts as a full license for 60 days.3
Processing time
Up to 30 days after the board has a complete routine application; non-routine applications up to 120 days.2

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Renewal period July 3 through September 1.3
Renewal fee
$903 (Active status)
Continuing education
12 hours each renewal period1
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $1803
Inactive: $453 (inactive status renewal)
Renew online
ebiz.mt.gov3

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Montana 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 Montana with a license from another state

These are the routes the Montana Board of Massage Therapy publishes for the Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license.

Route
Multistate license (interstate compact)
What the board says
Montana has enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (MCA 37-33-601), effective on occurrence of a contingency: the compact comes into effect when enacted in the seventh member state. Multistate applicants must submit fingerprints for state and federal background checks.1

Military service members, veterans and spouses: DLI military-spouse guidance: apply early online, disclose all licenses; a 60-day provisional license with reservation of rights may be issued while verifications are pending. Contact 406-444-6880 / [email protected] and say you are a military spouse.3

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
ebizws.mt.gov3
File a complaint
bsd.dli.mt.gov3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • January 23, 2026: Board supplemental notice MAR 2025-265.2 amends the 2025 substantial-equivalency list (Minnesota and Utah changed to not equivalent); second hearing Feb. 12, 2026.5
  • October 1, 2025: HB 246 standardizes licensure by substantial equivalency for all Montana boards (effective Oct. 1, 2025).6

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license in Montana?

The rules set at least 500 clock hours1 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Up to 30 days after the board has a complete routine application; non-routine applications up to 120 days.2

Can I transfer my massage therapist license to Montana?

The Montana Board of Massage Therapy publishes this route for the Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) license: multistate license (interstate compact)1. Conditions and forms.

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. Montana Code Annotated 2025, Title 37, Chapter 33 Massage TherapyMontana LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Application for Licensure as a Massage Therapist, by Examination (Rev. Jan 2024)Montana Board of Massage Therapy, Department of Labor & IndustryChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Licensed Massage Therapist (license information page)Montana Board of Massage Therapy, Department of Labor & IndustryChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Licensing Requirements and Application Checklist, Massage Therapist (DLI-BSD-LMT004, Rev. 10/30/25)Montana Board of Massage Therapy, Department of Labor & IndustryDated October 30, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  5. MAR Notice No. 2025-265.2 supplemental notice, substantial equivalency list (Issue No. 2, January 23, 2026)Montana Board of Massage Therapy, Department of Labor & IndustryDated January 23, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  6. MAR Notice No. 2025-265.1 proposed rulemaking, substantial equivalency (Issue No. 19, October 10, 2025)Montana Board of Massage Therapy, Department of Labor & IndustryDated October 10, 2025Checked November 7, 2026