Currently, the majority of states regulare the practice of massage and require prospective massage therapists to complete a licensing process to receive massage credentials. The word license or licensing is used for ease of description, but in some state the designation is registration or certification. Most states require five hundred hours of training to eligible for the licensing process, but each state is different. Below you will find the details of each state's educational and licensing requirements.

After graduation from a state-approved school, the graduate typically sits for a state-approved massage and bodywork licensing exam. This is a written exam that tests the student's understanding of tipics like anatomy and physiology, muscles, massage strokes and their benefits, sanitation protocol, contraindications to massage, and other massage-related information. Massage schools develop their curriculum so that students are prepared for the licensing exam. If you pay attention in classes and complete homework assignments, it is unlikely that you will have difficulty passing a licensing exam.

In some states, the applicant must also pass a jurisprudence exam, which consists of questions about the massage laws and regulations in that state. Practical exams tests the applicant's massage skills, by watching the applicant provide massage strokes to a "testing body." The testing panel grades the applicant on the quality of the techniques, draping skills and professionalism. Upon successful completion of the testing process, the applicant applies for a state license and receives his or her massage credentials.

State Designation Requirements

Alabama - License * 650 hours * Exam

Alaska - No state regulation

Arizona - License * 500 hours * Exam

Arkansas - License * 500 hours * Exam (Practical and Jurisprudence exam)

California - No state regulation

Colorado - No state regulation

Connecticut - License * 500 hours * Exam

Delaware - License * 500 hours * Exam  / Certification 300 hours

DC - License * 500 hours * Exam

Florida - License * 500 hours * Exam

Georgia - License * 500 hours * Exam

Hawaii - License * 570 hours * Exam

Idaho - No state regulation

Illinois - License * 500 hours * Exam

Indiana - No state regulation

Iowa - License * 500 hours * Exam

Kansas - No state regulation

Kentucky - License * 600 hours * Exam

Lousiana - License * 500 hours * Exam and Verbal Exam

Maine - License * 500 hours * Exam

Maryland - Certification * 500 hours and Jurisprudence Exam and 60 College Credits, or Registration * 500 hours and Exam, and Jurisprudence Exam

Massachusetts - State regulation pending

Michigan - No state regulation

Minnesota -  No state regulation

Mississippi - License * 600 in class hours plus 100 hours in student clinic * Exam

Missouri - License * 500 hours * Exam

Montana - No state regulation

Nebraska - License * 1,000 hours * Exam

Nevada - License * 500 hours * Exam

New Hampshire - License * 750 hours * Exam and Practical Exam

New Jersey - Voluntary  Certification * 500 hours or Exam

New Mexico - License * 650 hours * Exam & Jurisprudence Exam

 New York - Licence * 1,000 hours * Exam

North Carolina - Licence * 500 hours * Exam

North Dakota - License * 750 hours * Exam & Practical Exam

Ohio - Licence * 750 hours * Exam

Oklahoma - No state regulation

Oregon - Licence * 500 hours * Exam & Practical Exam

Pennyslvania - No state regualtion

Rhode Island  - Licence * 500 hours * Exam

South Carolina - Licence * 500 hours * Exam

South Dakota - Licence * 500 hours * Exam

Tennessee - Licence * 500 hours * Exam

Texas - License * 250 hours in-class, 50 hours intership * Exam & Practical Exam

Utah - Licence * 600 hours * Exam

Vermont - No state regulation

Virginia - Certification * 500 hours * Exam

Washington - Licence * 500 hours * Exam & Jurisprudence Exam  

West Virginia - Licence * 500 hours * Exam

Wisconsin - Certification * 600 hours * Exam

Wyoming - No state regulation