How to get a Massage Therapist license in Rhode Island
Rhode Island licenses massage therapists statewide through the Department of Health (RIDOH).1 For the Massage Therapist license you need at least 650 clock hours1 of education, a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)1 and a criminal background check1. The board lists $65 for the application1. You renew every year1 and complete at least 6 hours of continuing education1.
Who issues it
Department of Health (RIDOH)
Training and experience
Training: at least 650 clock hours1
Exam
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)1
Fees the board lists
Application fee: $651
On this page
- Who needs a Massage Therapist license
- Requirements for a Massage Therapist license
- How much a Massage Therapist license costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to Rhode Island with a license from another state
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Rule changes since January 2024
- Common questions
- Massage therapist licenses in other states
Who needs a Massage Therapist license
Work that does not need this license:
- Exempt: physicians, nurses, osteopaths, physiotherapists, chiropractors and podiatrists; beautification massage by licensed barbers, hairdressers or estheticians; staff of licensed medical institutions and students of approved massage schools; certified athletic trainers for teams or school PE departments.1
Other rules on who may do this work:
- Businesses may not describe services as "massage" unless performed by a licensed massage therapist.1
Requirements for a Massage Therapist license
- Education or training
- At least 650 clock hours1
Graduate of an approved school (USDE-recognized accreditor, a state board of education or COMTA-endorsed curriculum) with a curriculum of at least 650 hours of study and practical training: anatomy, physiology and kinesiology; supervised theory and practice; clinical assessment and bodywork competency; pathology; electives including first aid and CPR.1
Who may teach it: Online and correspondence courses are not accepted for practical training and curriculum.1
Alternative: Foreign-trained: graduation from a school whose curriculum substantially meets the requirements plus a valid foreign license/permit/certificate/registration; may be examined.1
How much a Massage Therapist license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $651 | RIDOH | Effective March 25, 2026 |
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.
How to apply
- Graduate from an approved massage school with at least 650 hours of in-person study and practical training (no online or correspondence courses).1
- Register with FSMTB and pass the MBLEx.1
- Get a nationwide fingerprint-based criminal records check through the State Police BCI or your local police department (you pay its cost).1
- Submit the RIDOH application with your education and exam credentials, the background check results and the $65 application fee.1
Renewal and continuing education
- How often
- Every year1
- When it expires
- Licenses expire on June 30 following issuance and renew yearly.1
- Renewal fee
- $651 (Annual renewal)
- Continuing education
- At least 6 hours each renewal period1
- Required topics
- Scope-of-practice offerings, which may include presentations, conferences, college coursework, self-study/online courses and ethics (no mandatory topic hours).1
- Approved courses
- Keep proof of attendance from the sponsor for at least 4 years; random audits.1
- Exemptions
- Hardship waiver1
- Late renewal
- Reinstatement fee: $651 (lapsed more than one license cycle; new criminal background check also required)
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your Rhode Island Massage Therapist license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to Rhode Island with a license from another state
These are the routes RIDOH publishes for the Massage Therapist license.
- Route
- Interstate compact privilege
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a massage therapist in Rhode Island, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Rhode Island is on the Rhode Island license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- healthri.mylicense.com2
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Rule changes since January 2024
- March 20, 2024: Technical revision of 216-RICR-40-05-10 (hyperlinks to NCBTMB Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics corrected; no substantive change).1
Common questions
How long does it take to get a Massage Therapist license in Rhode Island?
The rules set at least 650 clock hours1 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 Rhode Island?
RIDOH publishes these routes for the Massage Therapist license: license by endorsement1 and interstate compact privilege1. Conditions and forms.
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
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 216-RICR-40-05-10 Massage TherapistsRhode Island Department of State, RI Code of Regulations (Rhode Island Department of Health rule)Dated March 20, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
- RIDOH License VerificationRhode Island Department of Health (online licence verification)Checked November 7, 2026