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How to get a Massage Therapist license in New Hampshire

New Hampshire licenses massage therapists statewide through the Advisory Board of Massage Therapists.1 For the Massage Therapist license you need a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), or another written certifying exam recognized by at least one third of licensing states2. You renew every 2 years3 and complete at least 12 hours of continuing education2.

Last checked · 7 official sources

Who issues it

Advisory Board of Massage Therapists

Exam

Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), or another written certifying exam recognized by at least one third of licensing states2

Renewal

Every 2 years3, at least 12 hours of continuing education2

From another state

Universal license recognition and License by endorsement41 Details

On this page
  1. New Hampshire massage therapist licenses
  2. Who needs a Massage Therapist license
  3. Requirements for a Massage Therapist license
  4. How much a Massage Therapist license costs
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Moving to New Hampshire with a license from another state
  8. Temporary License for Massage Therapists
  9. City and county rules
  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

New Hampshire massage therapist licenses

New Hampshire 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 experienceExam
Temporary License for Massage TherapistsSame practice as a licensed massage therapist while the holder completes NH education or exam requirements.2Training 500 clock hours1
Experience 1 year1		No1
Massage TherapistStructured touch (holding, pressure, positioning, movement) by hand to promote health and well-being; may include heat/cold, hydrotherapy, non-prescription topical preparations, posture and movement analysis and self-care education; may assess whether massage is indicated or contraindicated.1–Yes5

Who needs a Massage Therapist license

Structured touch (holding, pressure, positioning, movement) by hand to promote health and well-being; may include heat/cold, hydrotherapy, non-prescription topical preparations, posture and movement analysis and self-care education; may assess whether massage is indicated or contraindicated.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Other licensed professionals (and their assistants) working within their own license, and movement or energy practices (Feldenkrais, Trager, Alexander, reiki, polarity, Bowen) not presented as massage, are exempt.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Practising unlicensed is a violation (misdemeanor for a non-natural person) on first offense and a misdemeanor/felony on later offenses; employers may not hire unlicensed massage therapists; administrative fines up to $2,000 per offense.1

Requirements for a Massage Therapist license

Minimum age
18 years old1
Exam
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), or another written certifying exam recognized by at least one third of licensing states2
Given by: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)2
When you can take it: Must be passed before applying.2
Background check
No background check stated as required2
No fingerprints required2
No license for anyone convicted anywhere of a violent crime against a person or a sexually-related crime; applicants sign a statement (or explain each conviction).1
Also required
Statement of good mental and physical health (physically and mentally capable of performing massage).1

How much a Massage Therapist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Fee for A Letter of Good Standing or Other Verification of Licensure Status$103Advisory Board of Massage TherapistsOptional verification letter
Fee for Wall Display Certificate - Original or Replacement$203Advisory Board of Massage TherapistsOptional printed wall certificate (actual vendor cost or $20, whichever is less)

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. Graduate from a qualifying massage school (COMTA/ABHES/ACCET-accredited, or at least 725 hours with 100 documented practical hours).2
  2. Pass the MBLEx before applying.2
  3. Apply to OPLC with the massage supplement: official diploma/certificate, exam proof, health statement and no-violent/sexual-crime statement; pay the Plc 1002.24 fee ($121; waived for active military and military spouses).2
  4. OPLC reviews within 30 days and issues the license; post your license and follow advertising rules.2
Processing time
OPLC processes the application within 30 days of receipt.2

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years3
When it expires
Licenses expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month in even-numbered years.1
Continuing education
At least 12 hours each renewal period2
Required topics
Topics limited to anatomy, physiology, massage theory and techniques, benefits/contraindications, kinesiology, hydrotherapy, joint movement, allied bodywork, communicable disease control, hygiene (may include CPR/first aid), ethics/legal aspects, and business management (max 3 hours).2
Approved courses
Sponsored by a massage-education professional association or a post-secondary institution, and taught by an NCBTMB- or FSMTB-approved provider; no Board pre-approval needed. CE Broker tracking is free.6
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $1213 (renewal filed within 1 year after expiry)
If it expires
A license renewed late within one year is reinstated (same $121 fee); after that the license has lapsed and you must apply for a new license. You may not practice while expired.2
CE is attested on the renewal application; 10% of licensees are audited and no hours roll over.2
Renew online
forms.nh.gov7

Renewal planner

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

Moving to New Hampshire with a license from another state

These are the routes the Advisory Board of Massage Therapists publishes for the Massage Therapist license. The other massage therapist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
License by reciprocity under RSA 310:17 (HB 594, 2023): a licensee in good standing from a listed "qualifying jurisdiction" submits the universal initial application, the fee and a copy of the active license.4
States on New Hampshire's list
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin4
This is the list of states whose licenses New Hampshire accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a New Hampshire license.
Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Statutory waiver: OPLC may waive any requirement except age and the criminal-conviction bar for a holder of a valid license from another state or country whose requirements are substantially equivalent.1

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Active military members and military spouses pay no application/licensing fee for initial or renewal licenses.2

Temporary License for Massage Therapists

Same practice as a licensed massage therapist while the holder completes NH education or exam requirements.2

Requirements

Minimum age
21 years old1
Education or training
At least 500 clock hours1
Completed a massage therapy program (in another state) of at least 500 hours.1
Experience
At least 1 year1
At least one year of practice as a massage therapist in another state, documented.1
Exam
Not required1
Background check
No background check stated as required2

How to apply

  1. Apply to OPLC with proof of a 500-hour program and one year of out-of-state practice, the conviction statement and fee; use the year to meet the full NH requirements.2

Renewal

How often
Every year2
When it expires
Valid one year from issue; cannot be renewed.2

From another state

Route
Temporary license or permit
What the board says
This license is itself the bridge for out-of-state-trained therapists.1

City and county rules

Massage TherapistOPLC regulates individual massage therapists only.7

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
forms.nh.gov7
File a complaint
oplc.nh.gov7

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • October 17, 2025: Plc 900 re-adopted (Doc. #14387): accredited schools (COMTA/ABHES/ACCET) or 725-hour unaccredited programs; no criminal background check for initial license; fee waiver for active military and spouses.2
  • July 1, 2025: Plc 1002.24 set the massage therapist fee at $121 per 2-year license (OPLC fee page still showed $110).3

Common questions

Can I transfer my massage therapist license to New Hampshire?

The Advisory Board of Massage Therapists publishes these routes for the Massage Therapist license: universal license recognition4 and license by endorsement1. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Massage Therapist license in New Hampshire?

Every 2 years3. Continuing education: at least 12 hours2.

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. RSA Chapter 328-B Massage Therapists and Massage EstablishmentsNew Hampshire General CourtChecked November 8, 2026
  2. N.H. Admin. Rules Chapter Plc 900 Massage TherapistsNew Hampshire General Court (Office of Legislative Services, Administrative Rules)Dated October 17, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  3. N.H. Admin. Rules Plc 1000 (OPLC license fees)New Hampshire General Court (Office of Legislative Services, Administrative Rules)Dated July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  4. New Changes to Reciprocity in New HampshireNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Massage Therapist Initial License ChecklistNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Massage Therapists Continuing EducationNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 8, 2026
  7. Massage Therapists Advisory BoardNew Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and CertificationChecked November 7, 2026