(Updated for 2024) Massage therapists practicing in Florida must be licensed by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy. Regulation of the massage therapy profession has been in effect in Florida since 1943. The Florida Board of Massage Therapy is part of the Department of Health, and is responsible for licensure, maintaining massage education standards, and assessing massage therapist competency to ensure public safety. The Florida Board’s website offers information for applicants, therapists and the public.
To get a Florida massage therapy license, applicants must meet requirements including completion of an approved massage education program of at least 500 hours, and passing an exam such as the MBLEx or NCBTMB. There are additional requirements as well. We’ve provided a summary of these requirements below for a quick reference.
Industry research from ABMP in 2016 estimated that there are about 30,661 massage therapists in Florida (1 therapist per every 660 people in Florida). Find out how MBLExGuide can help you prepare for the massage licensing exam.
Massage License Required? Yes
Designation: LMT
Education hours: 500
Exam: MBLEx or NCBTMB
CEUs / Renewals: 24 CEUs/2yrs
Applicants for a Florida massage license are required to complete a minimum of 500 clock hours of instruction from a board approved school. For applicants who received their massage education and training in another state, the school must be approved by the Department of Education or an equivalent accreditation agency.
Florida board approved massage schools must offer a course of study with at least 500 classroom hours. There rate of completion must be no more than 6 hours per day, and 30 hours per week. The program should include at least:
The Florida Board of Massage Therapy will accept the following examinations:
For those preparing for the MBLEx exam, accessing a realistic MBLEx practice test can be a beneficial part of your study plan. It helps familiarize you with the exam format and types of questions you may encounter.
If you have not yet taken the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam and are planning to seek licensure in Florida, simply select this state when registering for the MBLEx, and they will send your scores to the Florida Board of Massage Therapy when you pass. Check out our About the MBLEx page to see how to apply and schedule your exam.
Getting a massage therapy license in Florida has additional requirements. The applicant must:
Massage therapists may apply for a Florida massage license by examination or by endorsement. The fees and most requirements for both methods of application are the same. The Florida Board of Massage Therapy has also created a Massage Apprentice tract to becoming a licensed massage therapist.
License by Examination: The applicant must show completion of a Florida board-approved massage education program, and has passed the the MBLEx or examination previously offered by the NCBTMB. Applicants can see the full details of requirements and fees on their website. You can also review the “LMT by Examination” printable checklist to help with this process.
License by Endorsement: The applicant must have an active massage license in good standing in another state with equivalent or greater licensing requirements. See the Florida Board of Massage Therapy website for LMT by endorsement requirements. The board has also created a PDF checklist for massage license applicants applying by endorsement.
In case you’re wondering how much a massage license costs in Florida, here’s a summary of the fees charged by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy. The total fee due during initial application is $155. The Board will accept a money order or cashier’s check made payable to: “Department of Health”.
All massage therapy licenses expire on August 31, on odd-numbered years. See the Florida Board of Massage Therapy website for current details on renewal requirements and fees. The following must be completed in order to renew your Florida massage therapy license:
CEU hours must be obtained from any of the following sources:
Department of Health
Board of Massage Therapy
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-06
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3257
Department of Health
Board of Massage Therapy
PO Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330
Website
Contact
Board Office:
Phone: (850) 245-4261
Fax: (850) 412-2681
Customer Contact Center:
Phone: (850) 488-0595
Note: The information on this website is for informational purposes. Please inquire directly with your state and local boards to verify requirements and regulations, as this may have changed. Contact information is listed above.
