Law & Licensing Guide

What you need to work legally as a massage therapist: licensing, exams, education hours, renewal, and where to confirm with the official board.

Educational summary, not legal advice. Rules change often. Each entry shows its sources and the date we last checked. Always confirm with the official board before applying or opening a business. Last checked: October 24, 2026.

Business license + therapist registration

Thailand

Thailand regulates massage mainly at the business level under the Health Establishment Act B.E. 2559 (2016). Massage for health, massage for beauty and spa businesses need a health establishment license; spas need a licensed operator; and every therapist must …

License required

United States (federal overview)

There is no national massage license in the US. Each state (and DC) sets its own rules; most require 500–1,000 hours of education and the MBLEx (100 questions, 110 minutes). Employee (W-2) vs contractor (1099) status is decided by IRS and Department of Labor t…

Course

W-2 vs 1099, booth rental & taxes

Learn the IRS, Department of Labor and state ABC tests, spot misclassification, and handle self-employment taxes.

United States: state by state

Only states that use the MBLEx

State	Regulation	Min. hours	Exam
Alabama	License required	650	MBLEx
Alaska	License required	625	MBLEx
Arizona	License required	700	MBLEx
Arkansas	License required	500	MBLEx + Arkansas law exam
California	Voluntary certification	500	None required by the state
Colorado	License required	650	MBLEx
Connecticut	License required	750	MBLEx
Delaware	License required	625	MBLEx
District of Columbia	License required	500	MBLEx
Florida	License required	500	MBLEx
Georgia	License required	500	MBLEx
Hawaii	License required	570	Hawaii state exam (not MBLEx)
Idaho	License required	500	MBLEx
Illinois	License required	600	MBLEx
Indiana	License required	625	MBLEx
Iowa	License required	600	MBLEx
Kansas	No statewide license	–	–
Kentucky	License required	600	MBLEx
Louisiana	License required	625	MBLEx
Maine	License required	500	MBLEx
Maryland	License required	750	MBLEx + Maryland jurisprudence exam
Massachusetts	License required	650	MBLEx
Michigan	License required	625	MBLEx
Minnesota	No statewide license	–	–
Mississippi	License required	700	MBLEx + Mississippi State Law Exam
Missouri	License required	625	MBLEx
Montana	License required	500	MBLEx
Nebraska	License required	1000	MBLEx + Nebraska jurisprudence exam
Nevada	License required	625	MBLEx
New Hampshire	License required	750	MBLEx
New Jersey	License required	600	MBLEx
New Mexico	License required	650	MBLEx + New Mexico jurisprudence exam
New York	License required	1000	New York State exam (not MBLEx)
North Carolina	License required	650	MBLEx
North Dakota	License required	750	MBLEx + North Dakota jurisprudence exam
Ohio	License required	600	MBLEx
Oklahoma	License required	500	MBLEx
Oregon	License required	625	MBLEx + Oregon jurisprudence exam
Pennsylvania	License required	600	MBLEx
Rhode Island	License required	800	MBLEx
South Carolina	License required	650	MBLEx
South Dakota	License required	500	MBLEx
Tennessee	License required	650	MBLEx
Texas	License required	500	MBLEx (check TDLR for any jurisprudence exam)
Utah	License required	600	MBLEx
Vermont	Registration required	–	None required
Virginia	License required	500	MBLEx
Washington	License required	625	MBLEx (check for Washington law exam)
West Virginia	License required	625	MBLEx
Wisconsin	License required	600	MBLEx + Wisconsin jurisprudence exam
Wyoming	No statewide license	–	–

Other countries

We are adding countries one by one with verified sources. If your country is not listed yet, contact your national or regional health ministry or massage professional association before you work or open a business. Tell us which country you need next.