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How to get a Massage Therapist (MT) license in Ohio

Ohio licenses massage therapists statewide through the State Medical Board of Ohio.1 For the Massage Therapist (MT) license you need at least 600 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx)2 and a criminal background check2. The board lists $150 for the application3. You renew every 2 years4.

Last checked · 8 official sources

Who issues it

State Medical Board of Ohio

Training and experience

Training: at least 600 clock hours2

Exam

Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx)2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $1503
Fingerprint and state background check: $465

Renewal

Every 2 years4

From another state

Universal license recognition6 Details

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

Who needs a Massage Therapist (MT) license

Treatment of disorders of the body by manipulating soft tissue with massage techniques (touch, stroking, friction, kneading, stretching, joint movement within normal range) plus water, heat, cold, topical preparations and mechanical devices; reflexology, reiki etc. count if they manipulate soft tissue for a therapeutic purpose.1

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Non-therapeutic ("relaxation") massage is not state-licensed; it may be regulated by cities or townships.1
  • Massage therapists may not use light-based devices or do facials for beautification.1

Requirements for a Massage Therapist (MT) license

Minimum age
18 years old3
High school diploma or GED
Required3
Education or training
At least 600 clock hours2
Diploma or certificate from a board-approved school (or an out-of-state school meeting board standards) showing a massage therapy course of at least 600 clock hours.3
Who may teach it: Approved Ohio programs are listed on the board's Limited Branch School Roster.2
Alternative: Out-of-state school meeting board standards with at least 600 clock hours.3
Exam
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx)2
Passing score: Evidence of passing must be uploaded with the application.2
Background check
Background check required2
Fingerprints required2
All arrests, charges and convictions must be disclosed, even if sealed or expunged; the board publishes a disqualifying-offense list.2
Also required
Applicants must meet every eligibility requirement when they apply; ineligible applications may be denied and fees are not refunded.2
Also required
Payment by Visa, MasterCard or Discover through eLicense.2

How much a Massage Therapist (MT) license costs

You pay the State Medical Board of Ohio (3 fees) and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) (fingerprint and state background check).

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1503State Medical Board of OhioNot refundable
Transaction fee$3.502–ELicense transaction fee charged with each application/renewal
Fingerprint and state background check$465Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)Option 2 (out-of-state ink cards mailed to BCI); covers BCI + FBI
License verification to another state$507State Medical Board of OhioOfficial verification of an Ohio license to another jurisdiction, per license

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 600-hour approved massage program and pass the MBLEx.2
  2. Start the FBI and Ohio BCI background check early (WebCheck in Ohio, or ink cards by mail) and have results sent directly to the board.2
  3. Have your school send the Certificate of Education form directly to the board.2
  4. Apply and pay $153.50 online in eLicense, uploading your MBLEx result and transcript.2 elicense.ohio.gov2
  5. Track status in eLicense (Options tab > Review Status).2
Apply online
elicense.ohio.gov2
Processing time
Board performs an initial review within 10 business days of submission (fingerprint results: about 2 weeks via WebCheck, 4 weeks by mailed cards).2

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every 2 years4
When it expires
Valid two years from issuance; renew online in eLicense up to 180 days before expiry (reminders at 90, 60 and 30 days).2
Renewal fee
$1004
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $1252 (license lapsed two years or less (plus $3.50 transaction fee))
Reinstatement fee: $1504 (license inactive more than two years; new criminal records check required (plus $3.50 transaction fee))
If it expires
A license not renewed is automatically suspended; practicing afterwards is unlicensed practice.4
After two or more years inactive, restoration requires a background check and the board may require extra training or examination.2
Renew online
elicense.ohio.gov2

Renewal planner

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

Moving to Ohio with a license from another state

These are the routes the State Medical Board of Ohio publishes for the Massage Therapist (MT) license.

Route
Universal license recognition
What the board says
Under ORC ch. 4796 (and 4731.19(E)) the board licenses holders of a substantially similar out-of-state license held 1+ year and used 1 of the last 5 years; private-certification and work-experience routes exist for applicants from non-licensing states or the uniformed services.6
Conditions
Good standing in all jurisdictions; meet ORC 4796.03(D)-(G); background check.6
Private certification route: certification held 2+ years and 2 of last 5 years of practice in a non-licensing state.6
Work-experience route: 3 of the last 5 years of practice in a non-licensing state or the uniformed services.6
Not available if a license was surrendered or revoked for negligence or intentional misconduct.6
The board may require extra training or examination if the applicant has not practiced for more than two years.6
Fee
$1506

City and county rules

Therapeutic massage needs a State Medical Board license; non-therapeutic massage and massage businesses may need a city or township license where one exists.1

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license
elicense.ohio.gov8

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • October 6, 2026: Senate Bill 276 created a continuing-education requirement for massage therapists (ORC 4731.191); the hours will be set by board rule and no action is required until then.2

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Massage Therapist (MT) license in Ohio?

The rules set at least 600 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: Board performs an initial review within 10 business days of submission (fingerprint results: about 2 weeks via WebCheck, 4 weeks by mailed cards).2

Can I transfer my massage therapist license to Ohio?

The State Medical Board of Ohio publishes this route for the Massage Therapist (MT) license: universal license recognition6. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Massage Therapist (MT) license in Ohio?

Every 2 years4. The renewal fee is $1004.

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. Massage FAQsState Medical Board of OhioChecked November 8, 2026
  2. Massage Therapist (MT) - Apply tabState Medical Board of OhioChecked November 8, 2026
  3. Ohio Revised Code 4731.19Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Laws)Dated December 29, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Ohio Revised Code 4731.15Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Laws)Dated April 12, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Background CheckState Medical Board of OhioChecked November 8, 2026
  6. ReciprocityState Medical Board of OhioChecked November 8, 2026
  7. Renewal FAQsState Medical Board of OhioChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Skip to Main ContentState Medical Board of OhioChecked November 7, 2026