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How to get a Licensed Massage Therapist license in New York

New York licenses massage therapists statewide through the State Board for Massage Therapy.1 For the Licensed Massage Therapist (license as a massage therapist, masseur or masseuse) you need at least 1,000 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the New York State Massage Therapy Examination3 and a criminal background check1. The board lists $50 for the application3 and $58 for the registration4, each a separate charge. You renew every 3 years5 and complete at least 36 hours of continuing education1.

Last checked · 10 official sources

Who issues it

State Board for Massage Therapy

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,000 clock hours2

Exam

New York State Massage Therapy Examination3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $503
Registration fee: $584

Renewal

Every 3 years5, at least 36 hours of continuing education1

From another state

License by endorsement3 Details

On this page
  1. New York massage therapist licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Licensed Massage Therapist license
  4. Requirements for a Licensed Massage Therapist license
  5. How much a Licensed Massage Therapist license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to New York with a license from another state
  9. Limited Permit
  10. Check a license or report a problem
  11. Laws and rules
  12. Common questions
  13. Massage therapist licenses in other states

New York massage therapist licenses

New York 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 experienceExamApplication or license fee
Limited Permit (massage therapy)Practice massage therapy only as an employee under the personal, on-site supervision of a NY licensed and registered massage therapist; no private practice or independent contracting.3Training 1,000 clock hours3No3$353
Licensed Massage Therapist (license as a massage therapist, masseur or masseuse)Applying a scientific system of activity to the muscular structure of the human body by stroking, kneading, tapping and vibrating with the hands or vibrators to improve muscle tone and circulation; electrical stimulation, ultrasound and animal massage are outside the scope.3Training 1,000 clock hours2Yes1$503

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every New York massage therapist license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old15
High school diploma or GED
Required3

How to apply

Who needs a Licensed Massage Therapist license

Applying a scientific system of activity to the muscular structure of the human body by stroking, kneading, tapping and vibrating with the hands or vibrators to improve muscle tone and circulation; electrical stimulation, ultrasound and animal massage are outside the scope.3

Work that does not need this license:

  • Reiki, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais practitioners do not need a massage therapy license; if they claim to diagnose or treat pain, disease, disorder or a physical condition, they must be licensed in a profession authorized to diagnose or treat.7

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Physicians, nurses, osteopaths, physical therapists, chiropractors and podiatrists practicing within their licenses.1
  • Licensed barbers and appearance enhancement practitioners giving light surface massage for beautification only.7
  • Hospital employees and students in registered massage programs, under on-site supervision.7
  • Trainers employed by professional athletic teams or accredited school/college physical education departments; employees of organizations such as the YMCA/YWCA organized exclusively for moral or mental improvement (not churches).1

Requirements for a Licensed Massage Therapist license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Education or training
At least 1,000 clock hours2
Graduate from a NYSED-registered (licensure-qualifying) massage therapy program, or substantial equivalent, of at least 1,000 classroom hours, including at least 150 hours of hands-on practice on a person.3
Who may teach it: Only schools/institutes with NYSED-registered massage programs may teach massage (including hands-on practice) to unlicensed students; registered programs may accept no more than 250 transfer hours.5
Alternative: Curriculum: 200 h anatomy/physiology/neurology (50 neurology), 150 h myology/kinesiology, 100 h pathology, 75 h hygiene/first aid/CPR/infection control, 150 h western and oriental theory (50 each), 325 h additional technique and supervised student practice.2
Alternative: Graduates of a program of at least 500 hours with a diploma may apply and make up deficiencies in an approved program.5
Exam
New York State Massage Therapy Examination3
Given by: Meazure Learning (examination scheduling application filed separately with Meazure Learning)3
Passing score: 75.08
When you can take it: After applying for licensure, paying the fee and having the education approved; all requirements except citizenship must be met. Offered twice a year (next: March 12, 2027; licensure application by November 1, 2026 and exam application by December 1, 2026).3
Basic and clinical science subjects and massage therapy, including western and oriental theory and procedures8
Exam waived: Endorsement applicants may be accepted on another jurisdiction's licensing exam (e.g. NCETMB) plus experience instead of the NY exam.5
Background check
Background check required1
Good-moral-character determination by the Department; renewal applicants who answer yes to conviction/discipline questions must send an explanation and court or disciplinary records.9
Residency or citizenship
Statute lists U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence as a license requirement; the limited permit is available to those who meet all requirements except the exam and citizenship.5
Business requirements
Employment by other licensed professionals must be on salary or flat fee, not a percentage of income; employment by licensed massage therapists may share profits.5
Business requirements
A registration certificate should be obtained and posted for each practice site.5
Also required
A CPR course completed within three years before licensure.8
Also required
Evidence of English proficiency, if applicable.3
Also required
Records must be kept at least six years (minors: until one year after age 21).5

How much a Licensed Massage Therapist license costs

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$503State Board for Massage Therapy
Registration fee$584State Board for Massage Therapy
Fee for licensure and first registration (total)$1083State Board for Massage Therapy
Duplicate or replacement license$109State Board for Massage Therapy

Each line is a separate charge, except the line “Fee for licensure and first registration (total)”, which is the board’s own combined figure for other charges; do not add it to the other lines.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

  1. Complete a NYSED-registered 1,000-hour massage therapy program (or equivalent) and a CPR course.3
  2. File the online Application for Licensure (Form 1) and pay the $108 licensure and first-registration fee by credit card.3 eservices.nysed.gov6
  3. Have your school send Form 2 (Certification of Professional Education) directly to OP; follow up on all third-party documents.3 Form (PDF, op.nysed.gov)6
  4. Once your education is approved, file the separate exam scheduling application with Meazure Learning by the deadline (for the March 12, 2027 exam: licensure application by November 1, 2026; exam application by December 1, 2026).3
  5. Optionally apply for a limited permit (Form 5) to work under on-site supervision while awaiting the exam.3
  6. Pass the New York State Massage Therapy Examination (passing score 75.0); your license then appears in the OP online verification.8
Temporary or provisional license
Limited permit): $35, up to 12 months, on-site supervision, not renewable.3

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 3 years5
When it expires
The license is for life; practice requires a registration renewed every three years. The first registration after licensure is prorated to move the licensee to a birth-month cycle.10
Renewal fee
$1031
Continuing education
At least 36 hours each renewal period1
Required topics
At most 12 of the 36 hours may be self-instructional coursework (of which at most 6 hours may be online courses approved by other jurisdictions).8
Renewing a First Aid or CPR course may count for up to 3 hours each per period; the Board/Department online ethics and standards test counts for up to 3 hours.8
Not acceptable: courses aimed solely at maximizing profits, and techniques outside massage therapy such as Reiki, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique or appearance enhancement.8
Approved courses
Courses of learning offered by a Department-approved sponsor (sponsor application fee $900), which may include university/college credit and non-credit courses and courses from NYSED-registered licensure-qualifying massage programs.1
Exemptions
No CE is required for the triennial registration period in which the therapist is first licensed.8
Adjustments for poor health or disability, extended active military duty, or other good cause; licensees not registered to practice are exempt.8
CPR renewal is not required for re-registration.5
If it expires
Online renewal is open in the last 5 months of a registration period and up to 4 months after it ends; after a lapse of more than 4 months a Delayed Registration Application is required.9
A licensee not practicing in New York may register as inactive at no charge; to practice again they must reactivate by submitting a Delayed Registration Application.9
A one-year conditional registration may be issued to a licensee who has not completed CE for good cause.1
Renew online
op.nysed.gov6

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your New York Licensed Massage Therapist (license as a massage therapist, masseur or masseuse). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to New York with a license from another state

These are the routes the State Board for Massage Therapy publishes for the Licensed Massage Therapist license. The other massage therapist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Licensure by endorsement for therapists licensed in another state, country or territory after at least two years of post-licensure practice: Path A (2-4 years licensed: NY 1,000-hour education + 2 years experience + an acceptable written licensing exam) or Path B (5+ years in the last 10: 500-hour program, 800 classroom hours + acceptable exam). Applicants must be at least 21.3
Conditions
At least 21 years of age; high school or equivalent; not previously failed the NY exam; in good standing everywhere licensed; CPR certificate within 3 years.3
Path A (licensed and practiced 2-4 years): meet the NY 1,000-hour education requirement and show at least two years of post-licensure experience.3
Path B (5+ years): a program of at least 500 clock hours and at least 800 classroom hours (300 science, 200 massage theory/technique incl. 50 oriental and 50 western), with 5 years of post-licensure experience within the last 10.3
One year of experience = 52 weeks averaging 12 hours of massage therapy a week.3
The other jurisdiction's written licensing exam must be comparable to the NY exam, or its gaps must be offset by the post-licensure experience (NCETMB is given as an example).3
Only state/country/territory licenses count; licenses issued only by a city, municipality or region do not qualify.5
Fee
$1083
Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No interstate compact: New York requires its own license (or limited permit); national certification alone does not authorize practice.5

Military service members, veterans and spouses: CE adjustments for extended active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.1

Limited Permit

Practice massage therapy only as an employee under the personal, on-site supervision of a NY licensed and registered massage therapist; no private practice or independent contracting.3

Requirements

Education or training
At least 1,000 clock hours3
Same education as the license (1,000-hour registered program), already approved by NYSED.5
Exam
New York State Massage Therapy Examination (not yet passed)3
Not required3
Exam waived: Not available to anyone who has failed the NY exam or previously held a permit.3
Background check
Background check required1
Also required
A NY licensed and registered massage therapist must sign the permit application and supervise on site; one supervisor may oversee at most three permit holders.5
Also required
Physicians, nurses, chiropractors, podiatrists and PTs may employ but not supervise permit holders.5

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$353State Board for Massage TherapyNot refundable
Fee for licensure and first registration (Form 1, prerequisite)$1083State Board for Massage Therapy–

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. File Form 1 (Application for Licensure) with the $108 fee and have your education approved.3
  2. Arrange a NY licensed and registered massage therapist as on-site supervisor, who completes Form 5CS.6 Form (PDF, op.nysed.gov)6
  3. Submit the online Form 5 limited-permit application and the $35 non-refundable fee.3 eservices.nysed.gov6
  4. If you change employer or supervisor, notify OP (Limited Permit Change Form); a new supervisor must sign a new application.5
Processing time
The permit is not issued until all required documentation has been reviewed and approved.3

Renewal

How often
Every year1
When it expires
Valid up to 12 months or until results of the first exam for which the holder is eligible, whichever comes first; not renewable.3

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Not an out-of-state pathway; out-of-state therapists use licensure by endorsement.3

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
eservices.nysed.gov3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Licensed Massage Therapist license in New York?

The rules set at least 1,000 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 New York?

The State Board for Massage Therapy publishes this route for the Licensed Massage Therapist license: license by endorsement3. Conditions and forms.

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

Every 3 years5. Continuing education: at least 36 hours1. The renewal fee is $1031.

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. Education Law Article 155 - Massage Therapy (NYSED copy)NYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 8, 2026
  2. 8 NYCRR 52.15 - Massage Therapy programs (NYSED copy)NYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Massage Therapy License RequirementsNYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 8, 2026
  4. OP Fees ChartNYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Massage Therapy Frequently Asked Questions (page 1)NYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 8, 2026
  6. Massage Therapy Application FormsNYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Massage Therapy Frequently Asked Questions (page 2)NYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 8, 2026
  8. 8 NYCRR Part 78 - Massage Therapy (NYSED copy)NYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 8, 2026
  9. Online Registration RenewalNYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 8, 2026
  10. Continuing Education Questions and Answers for Massage TherapistsNYSED Office of the ProfessionsChecked November 7, 2026