How to get a Massage Therapy Establishment License in Nebraska

Nebraska massage therapist licenses

Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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)

How to apply

Application form

Form (PDF, dhhs.ne.gov)⁶⁷

2. Every license level except Massage Therapist (license to practice massage therapy)

From another state

3. Every license level except Temporary Massage Therapy License

Renewal

Renew online

dhhs.ne.gov⁷

4. Every license level except Massage Therapy Establishment License

Requirements

Minimum age

19 years old¹

Education or training

At least 1,000 clock hours⁵

The board's words

“not less than 1,000 hours, distributed over a term of not less than 9”

Who may teach it: Approved massage therapy school: board-approved, requires a high school diploma or equivalent for admission, has a licensed physician on staff and employs licensed massage therapists as instructors. Schools are licensed by DHHS.⁶
Alternative: Military education, training or service substantially similar to the required education may be submitted for review.⁵

Background check

Background check required⁵
List all misdemeanor and felony convictions with court records and an explanation; optional Preliminary Application Conviction Review ($100) before applying.⁷
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply⁷

Fees

Who needs a Massage Therapy Establishment License

Any licensed place where a massage therapist practices, including a mobile massage therapy establishment (self-contained enclosed mobile unit, licensed separately on its own application). Chiropractic offices offering massage need an establishment license.¹

Other rules on who may do this work:

• No alcohol or controlled substances may be used, served or possessed on the premises during public hours.²

Requirements for a Massage Therapy Establishment License

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

Also required

Employ actively licensed massage therapist(s), have adequate space and restroom facilities, submit a sketch of the layout with square footage, and a self-evaluation inspection report showing compliance with 172 NAC 82-004.³

Also required

A license must be obtained before opening; licenses are not transferable on relocation or sale.⁶

How much a Massage Therapy Establishment License costs

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

How to apply

1. Complete the establishment application with a premises sketch and the self-inspection report, and mail it with the $127 fee before opening.³ Form (PDF, dhhs.ne.gov)⁶

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Establishment licenses expire November 1 of odd-numbered years.⁶

Renewal fee

$127³

If it expires

Expired establishment licenses cannot be reinstated; a new application, sketch, self-inspection and $127 fee are required before operating.⁶

Temporary Massage Therapy License

Practice of massage therapy under supervision of a licensed massage therapist while awaiting the licensure examination.¹

Requirements

Exam

Not yet taken: temporary license is for applicants who have not passed the MBLEx²
Not required¹

Also required

Supervisor(s) must complete and sign page 6 (Section H) of the application, naming the licensed establishment where practice will occur.⁵

Also required

Per the FAQ, only Nebraska graduates who have not taken the exam for the first time are eligible.²

Fees

How to apply

1. Use the same massage therapy application, tick "Temporary License", have your supervising therapist(s) complete page 6, and pay both the temporary and license fees.⁵ Form (PDF, dhhs.ne.gov)⁷

Renewal

When it expires

Valid 60 days or until the exam is taken, whichever is first; void on failing unless extended for good cause; never beyond six months.¹

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

Massage Therapist license

Physical, mechanical or electrical manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes or to enhance wellness, which may include oil, salt glows, heat lamps and hydrotherapy; reflexology is included. Excludes diagnosis/treatment requiring a medical, chiropractic or podiatry license, diathermy, ultrasound, TENS, electrical stimulation over 35 volts, neurological hyperstimulation and spinal/joint adjustments.¹

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required¹

Exam

Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx); official score report from NCBTMB or FSMTB accepted⁷
Given by: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)⁷

Exam

Nebraska Jurisprudence Massage Therapy Examination (free, open-book, 50 multiple-choice questions)⁷
Given by: Online quiz linked by DHHS; print the result and mail it with the application⁵
Passing score: At least 75%⁵

Residency or citizenship

Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence (photocopy of birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate or immigration documents; a driver's license is not acceptable).⁵

Social Security number

Social Security number requested under Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-123 and 38-130.⁵

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.

Fee waivers and reductions:

• Initial and temporary license fees are waived for young workers (19 to under 26), low-income individuals (public assistance or household AGI below 130% of poverty guideline) and military families (active duty, military spouses, honourably discharged veterans and their spouses, surviving spouses).⁵

How to apply

1. Finish a 1,000-hour approved massage therapy program and pass the MBLEx (register directly with FSMTB).⁷
2. Gather a photocopy of your citizenship/lawful-presence document, conviction records if any, and ask your school to send the official transcript and other states to send license verifications.⁵
3. Complete every page of the paper application and mail it to the DHHS Licensure Unit with the license fee by check or money order (cards not accepted), unless you qualify for a fee waiver.⁵ Form (PDF, dhhs.ne.gov)⁷
4. Watch your e-mail: missing items are requested by e-mail and must be supplied within 90 days; you are told by e-mail when the license is issued.⁵

Temporary or provisional license

Temporary license for applicants who meet everything except the MBLEx, supervised by a licensed massage therapist.⁷

Processing time

Applications are reviewed in date order; incomplete applications must be completed within 90 days or they are closed. No same-day issuance.⁵

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁸

When it expires

Expires November 1 of odd-numbered years.⁷

Continuing education

At least 16 hours each renewal period⁷

Required topics

Up to 50% of the 16 hours may be online or electronic media.⁷

Approved courses

The board does not pre-approve CE programs; each licensee must decide whether a program is an acceptable massage therapy topic (see 172 NAC 81).⁷

Exemptions

Military service (active duty at least 30 days) during the 24 months before renewal: no renewal fee or CE required.⁸

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $145⁸ (expired or inactive license; Jan-Apr/Nov-Dec of odd year or any month of even year)
Reinstatement fee: $62.50⁸ (reinstated May-October of an odd-numbered year)

If it expires

Expired or inactive licenses are reinstated by mailed application with 16 CE hours from the previous 24 months and the renewal/reinstatement fee; no re-exam. Practice after expiry: $10/day up to $1,000 administrative penalty.²
Inactive status may be requested on the renewal notice or by written request at any time.²

From another state

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

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license

nebraska.gov⁵

File a complaint

dhhs.ne.gov²

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-1707, 38-1707.01, 38-1716 to 38-1724
• 172 NAC 82
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-1711
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-1701 to 38-1725 (Massage Therapy Practice Act)
• Neb. Rev. Stat. 38-129.01, 38-129.02 (Uniform Credentialing Act)
• 172 NAC 81 (massage therapists); 172 NAC 82 (establishments); fees 172 NAC 2

Rule changes since January 2024

• July 19, 2024: LB78 amended the definition of massage therapy (38-1706).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
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• 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