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How to get a Massage therapy license in South Dakota

South Dakota licenses massage therapists statewide through the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy.1 For the Massage therapy license (South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy) you need at least 500 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the national massage exam approved by the Board: MBLEx (FSMTB), NCETM or NCETMB (NCBTMB), or the NBCA Massage Therapy Certification Exam (AMMA).3 and a criminal background check4. The board lists $100 for the application4 and $65 for the initial license5, each a separate charge. You renew every year1 and complete at least 8 hours of continuing education6.

Last checked · 11 official sources

Who issues it

South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy

Training and experience

Training: at least 500 clock hours2

Exam

A national massage exam approved by the Board: MBLEx (FSMTB), NCETM or NCETMB (NCBTMB), or the NBCA Massage Therapy Certification Exam (AMMA).3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $1004
Initial license fee: $655
Exam fee: $2652
Exam fee: $2252

Renewal

Every year1, at least 8 hours of continuing education6

From another state

License by endorsement and Interstate compact privilege57 Details

On this page
  1. South Dakota massage therapist licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Massage therapy license
  4. Requirements for a Massage therapy license
  5. How much a Massage therapy license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to South Dakota with a license from another state
  9. Temporary Permit
  10. City and county rules
  11. Check a license or report a problem
  12. Laws and rules
  13. Rule changes since January 2024
  14. Common questions
  15. Massage therapist licenses in other states

South Dakota massage therapist licenses

South Dakota 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
Temporary Permit (massage therapy)Same practice as a licensed massage therapist, for up to 90 days while the holder waits to pass the national exam.1Training 500 clock hours1No1$751
Massage therapy license (South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy)Systematic mobilization of the body's soft tissues by hands, feet or devices for therapy, relaxation or education (pressure, friction, kneading, stretching, external water/heat/cold/topicals, hand-mimicking devices), performed for a fee or offered to the public.1Training 500 clock hours2Yes1$1004

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every South Dakota 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 old1
High school diploma or GED
Required5
Background check
Background check required4
Felonies, massage-related crimes and crimes of dishonesty or moral turpitude are unprofessional conduct, but the Board may still license if the conviction is remote or the applicant is no risk to public safety.1

Who needs a Massage therapy license

Systematic mobilization of the body's soft tissues by hands, feet or devices for therapy, relaxation or education (pressure, friction, kneading, stretching, external water/heat/cold/topicals, hand-mimicking devices), performed for a fee or offered to the public.1

Work that does not need this license:

  • Massage students may do supervised externships without a license.8

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Other licensed health professionals (physicians, PAs, chiropractors, nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) within their practice; cosmetologists/barbers (ch. 36-14/36-15) who do not hold themselves out as massage therapists; federal employees on duty; students at recognized schools.1
  • Out-of-state licensed massage therapists or pre-approved providers teaching a course or CE in South Dakota for up to 10 days per calendar year.1
  • Work limited to the hands, feet or ears (e.g. reflexology) by a person who does not hold out as a massage therapist.1

Requirements for a Massage therapy license

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

Education or training
At least 500 clock hours2
The board's words

“To be licensed as a massage therapist, an applicant must have at least 500 hours of specific education and training from a board-recognized facility or instructor.”


Who may teach it: Seven named South Dakota schools are recognized by rule; other schools count if licensed/approved by the massage board of their state or accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor. Education from a closed school that was never recognized is not accepted.3
Alternative: Training may be combined from two or more recognized facilities, and qualifying continuing education may count toward the required training.3
Experience
No supervised work experience is required for an initial license (only the 500 hours of training, which must include 200 hands-on hours).1
Exam
A national massage exam approved by the Board: MBLEx (FSMTB), NCETM or NCETMB (NCBTMB), or the NBCA Massage Therapy Certification Exam (AMMA).3
Given by: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (MBLEx); National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETM/NCETMB); American Medical Massage Association (NBCA exam)3
When you can take it: Candidates register directly with the exam provider and have results sent to the Board.2
Social Security number
The application asks for the Social Security Number and a copy of the Social Security card.4
Business requirements
South Dakota issues no separate massage establishment license; it is a Class 1 misdemeanour to own, operate or manage a business that knowingly employs or contracts with an unlicensed person to provide massage.1
Also required
Display the license at the regular place of business; when working elsewhere, show photo ID and proof of licensure on request (failure is a petty offense).1
Also required
The application must be signed before a notary and include a color headshot taken within six months.4

How much a Massage therapy license costs

You pay the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (3 fees), Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (exam fee), National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (exam fee) and American Medical Massage Association (exam fee).

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1004South Dakota Board of Massage TherapyNot refundable
Initial license fee$655South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy–
Exam fee$2652Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards–
Exam fee$2252National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork–
Exam fee$2752American Medical Massage Association–
Duplicate or replacement license$05South Dakota Board of 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. Complete at least 500 hours of training (200 hands-on) at a recognized school and pass the MBLEx, NCBTMB or AMMA exam; ask the exam provider to send your result to the Board.2
  2. Buy professional liability insurance of at least $250,000 per occurrence in your own name.4
  3. Fill in the Application for License, sign it before a notary, and mail it with a check or money order to the State of South Dakota for $100 (application) plus $65 (license), ID, Social Security card copy, photo and insurance certificate.4 Form (PDF, doh.sd.gov)5
  4. Have each school send the Verification of Education Form and an official transcript directly to the Board, and have every state where you hold a license send a verification letter.4 Form (PDF, doh.sd.gov)5
  5. Wait for the Board's written notice and license before you practice; an application left incomplete for 12 months expires.5
Temporary or provisional license
A temporary permit (up to 90 days, issued at most twice) lets an applicant who meets every requirement except the exam practice while waiting to pass it.1
Processing time
The Board must act within six months of a complete application; complete files can be approved faster without full-Board review.5

Renewal and continuing education

How often
Every year1
When it expires
All licenses expire September 30 each year; renew online between August 1 and September 30 (computer only, no paper renewals since 2025).5
Renewal fee
$653
Continuing education
At least 8 hours each renewal period6
Required topics
No mandatory subjects; any course with a clear purpose that maintains, improves or expands massage skills and fits the statutory definition of massage, or any course by an NCBTMB, AMMA or FSMTB approved provider. CPR (AHA/Red Cross) counts for up to 4 hours and attending a board meeting for up to 2 hours per cycle.3
Not accepted: Reiki and topics outside massage scope (e.g. energy work, yoga, nutrition, dry needling); no carry-over between cycles and no repeating courses in consecutive cycles (CPR and board meetings excepted).8
Approved courses
Accepted from NCBTMB-, AMMA- or FSMTB-approved providers and Board-recognized schools; other presenters may apply for Board preapproval. All hours may be taken online.6
Exemptions
The Board may waive CE for illness or hardship, or allow up to one extra year to make up a shortfall if requested in writing before the cycle ends.1
If it expires
A license not renewed by September 30 expires; it can be renewed (with CE proof) within 30 days, but the holder may not practice until it is renewed.1
Inactive status ($25, no expiry) instead of renewing; reactivate any time with the current $65 license fee, insurance and 8 CE hours from the previous two years.3
Renew online
sdbmt.org5

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your South Dakota Massage therapy license (South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to South Dakota with a license from another state

These are the routes the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy publishes for the Massage therapy license.

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
No reciprocity application exists; out-of-state licensees use the standard Application for License, but under SDCL 36-35-15 may qualify by either education substantially equal to 500 hours or 200 hours of patient contact in the previous two years, plus license verification, insurance and a clean record.5
Conditions
Verification from each licensing state that the license is current and in good standing.1
Active practice means at least 200 hours of patient contact in the two years before applying.1
A license obtained elsewhere through grandfathering does not qualify.8
Fee
$1004
Route
Interstate compact privilege

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Applicants who are, or whose spouse is, an active-duty service member transferred to and stationed full-time in South Dakota pay no application fee or licensing fee (copy of transfer orders required).4

Temporary Permit

Same practice as a licensed massage therapist, for up to 90 days while the holder waits to pass the national exam.1

Requirements

Education or training
At least 500 clock hours1
The full 500 hours of recognized training must already be complete (verification form and transcript sent by the school, plus proof the school is state-approved or accredited).9
Exam
National exam not yet required; the permit covers the time until the exam result.1
Not required1
Social Security number
The application asks for the Social Security Number and a copy of the card.9

Fees

FeeAmountPaid to
Application fee$751South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy
Temporary license or permit$509South Dakota Board of 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. Finish 500 hours of recognized training and get $250,000 liability insurance.9
  2. Mail the Temporary Permit application with one $125 check (made out to the State of South Dakota), ID, Social Security card copy and photo; have the school send the verification form and transcript.9 Form (PDF, doh.sd.gov)5
  3. After passing the exam, file the Application for License after Temporary Permit ($100 application + $65 license) within one year of the permit's issue date.9 Form (PDF, doh.sd.gov)5
Processing time
The Board must act within six months of a complete application.3

Renewal

How often
Every 90 days9
When it expires
The permit ends after 90 days, when a regular license is issued, or when the holder fails the licensing exam; at most two permits may be issued.1
Renew online
doh.sd.gov5

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

City and county rules

Massage therapy license (South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy)Massage therapists are licensed statewide by the South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy; the board refers unlicensed practice to local law enforcement or the state's attorney.10

Check a license or report a problem

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

Look up a license: Massage therapy license (South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy)
doh.sd.gov11
File a complaint
doh.sd.gov10
Look up a license: Temporary Permit (massage therapy)
doh.sd.gov11

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • February 11, 2026: Board policy now accepts CPR only from American Red Cross / American Heart Association certified instructors, up to 4 CE hours per period.8
  • January 1, 2025: Paper renewals ended; all renewals must be filed online from 2025.5

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Massage therapy license in South Dakota?

The rules set at least 500 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. On processing, the board says: The Board must act within six months of a complete application; complete files can be approved faster without full-Board review.5

Can I transfer my massage therapist license to South Dakota?

The South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy publishes these routes for the Massage therapy license: license by endorsement5 and interstate compact privilege7. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Massage therapy license in South Dakota?

Every year1. Continuing education: at least 8 hours6. The renewal fee is $653.

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. SDCL chapter 36-35 Massage TherapistsSouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Board of Massage Therapy Education, Training & Examination RequirementsSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated January 28, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  3. ARSD article 20:76 Massage TherapySouth Dakota LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
  4. BMT Application for LicenseSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated May 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Board of Massage Therapy Licensing RequirementsSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated September 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Board of Massage Therapy Continuing Education RequirementsSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated February 24, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. The Interstate Massage Compact MapInterstate Massage Compact (IMpact)Checked November 7, 2026
  8. South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Board Policies & PositionsSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated February 11, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  9. BMT Temporary Permit ApplicationSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated May 1, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  10. Board of Massage Therapy ComplaintsSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated May 26, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  11. Board of Massage Therapy License VerificationSouth Dakota Board of Massage Therapy (Department of Health)Dated October 15, 2026Checked November 7, 2026