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Licensed Massage Therapist

License by MOBILE Endorsement

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Statutes & Rules for MOBILE Endorsement.

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.

Requirements

To be licensed as a massage therapist in Florida through the MOBILE Endorsement pathway you must meet the following requirements in section 456.0145, Florida Statutes:

  1. Must hold an active, unencumbered license issued by another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States in a profession with a similar scope of practice, determined by the board or the department, as applicable.
  2. Must have obtained a passing score on a national licensure examination or hold a national certification recognized by the board;

OR

An applicant for a profession that does not require a national examination or national certification is eligible for licensure if the applicable board, or the department if there is no board, determines that the jurisdiction in which the applicant currently holds an active, unencumbered license meets established minimum education requirements and, if applicable, examination, work experience, and clinical supervision requirements are substantially similar to the requirements for licensure in that profession in this state.

  1. Must have actively practiced the profession for at least two years during the four-year period immediately preceding the date of submission of this application.
  2. Must not have ever been reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, unless the applicant successfully appealed to have the report removed or if the reported adverse action was a result of conduct that would not constitute a violation of any Florida law or rule.
  3. Must not be the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the United States Department of Defense for reason related to the practice of the profession for which the applicant is applying.
  4. Must not have had disciplinary action taken in the five years immediately preceding the date of submission of the application.

Refer to section 456.0145(2)(c), Florida Statutes, for licensure ineligibility criteria.

Process

Applicants must complete the following steps:

  1. Contact the state board(s) in which a license has been held to request License Verification be sent to Florida. If the state has an online verification including disciplinary actions, we will accept the online verification.
  2. Transfer National Examination scores from Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) or National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCTMB).
  3. Apply online at www.flhealthsource.gov, pay applicable fees, and upload any supplemental documentation.
  4. Complete a background screening with an approved Livescan provider.
    Visit flhealthsource.gov/background-screening for additional information.
  5. If applicants have any affirmative answers in the Criminal, Personal, or Disciplinary sections of the application, submission of the personal statement and supporting documentation can be uploaded with the online application.
  6. Please allow up to 10 business days for initial review of new applications. All applications and document submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. After your application is reviewed, any deficiencies will be communicated to you in writing by our Board staff. To expedite processing, please submit all required supporting documentation with your application and the requisite fees. If you are having documentation submitted by another entity on your behalf, please verify the Board office’s mailing address to ensure delivery.
  7. When all requirements are met the license will be issued to qualified within 7 days pursuant to Section 456.0145(2)(e), Florida Statutes.
Fees
Fees Amount
Application fee (non-refundable): $50.00
Initial licensing fee: $100.00
Unlicensed activity fee: $5.00
Total: $155.00

Applications submitted without fees will not be processed.

Statutes and Rules

Florida Statutes

Florida Administrative Code

Other Payer Code Information

The Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA), is pleased to offer massage programs an option to pay for their students’ application fees.

Massage therapist students may complete and submit an application for licensure online. Instead of the student providing their own credit card for payment, they will have the option to enter the ‘Other Payer Code’ to complete the application process. The application will be uploaded for processing and will stay in pending status until the other payer makes payment.

Interested programs will need to register with the Florida Board of Massage Therapy by providing, in letter format, their Business Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number and Federal ID Number. In addition, we will need a contact person and email address. Please indicate if you require more than one payment code, or a code expiration date and sign the letter indicating that all of the provided information is true and correct. Please mail this letter to:

Florida Board of Massage Therapy
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Bin # C-06 Tallahassee
Florida 32399-3256

Once the employer is registered, the Florida Board of Massage Therapy will mail a notification letter including the payment code and instructions on how to submit payment for students who applied for a massage therapist license. The employer will need to provide their “Other Payer Code” to students prior to them applying.

Employers who elect to use the Other Payer Code will be required to log-on to MQA’s secure on-line services website to approve and submit payment. The employer will be able to deselect applicants who are not eligible to use their ‘Other Payer Code’. Then the employer will be routed to a credit card payment screen where they will pay by using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

Employers wishing to pay by check will need to send a cashier’s check or money order along with a copy of the invoice that is available online to:

Department of Health
Post Office Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314

Please contact the Florida Board of Massage Therapy at (850) 488-0595 or by email info@floridasmassagetherapy.gov if you have any questions.

Applying for a New License

 

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Statutes and Administrative Rules for a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) by Examination.

 

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.

Requirements
General Requirements

Requirements for all applicants

  • Be at least 18 years of age or have received a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma.
  • Determine the correct method of application:
    • If you do not hold an active massage therapist license in another state, or if you hold an active license which did not require you to graduate from a course of study of 500 or more clock hours, you will need to apply by examination.
    • If you do hold a massage therapist license in another state which required you to complete a course of study of 500 or more clock hours as a requirement of licensing, you will likely apply by endorsement. You will be required to pass an approved examination if the state you are endorsing from did not require you to take an examination for licensing.
    • Additional requirements for examination and endorsement methods can be found below.
  • Complete a background screening with an approved Livescan provider.
    Visit flhealthsource.gov/background-screening for additional information.
  • Submit your application and fee payment. To explore additional requirements, choose a method below:

Additional Requirements for Examination Applicants

Requirements for Examination Applicants

  • Complete a course of study at a board approved massage school consisting of 500 or more clock hours.
    • For applicants who graduated from a Florida board approved massage school, completion will be verified using an official transcript or graduate list.
    • For applicants who graduated from a school in another state, completion will be verified by submission of an official transcript. If staff cannot verify the approval of your school, additional documentation may be requested.
    • For applicants who graduated from a school outside the United States, completion will be documented by the submission of an evaluation of your transcript prepared by an education credentialing service.
    • Documentation of your completed course of study must come directly from your school, the custodian of records if your school has closed, or the credentialing service if you graduated from a school outside the United States. Unofficial transcripts and transcripts sent directly by applicants will not be accepted.
  • Pass an examination approved by the Board.
    The following examinations are currently approved by the Board.
  • Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).Exam scores may be requested online at www.fsmtb.org. The FSMTB can be reached by phone at 1-866-962-3926. The FSMTB will provide your scores directly to the Board office. Do not submit score reports as a part of your application.
  • National Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage (NCETM),
    National Certification Examination in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB),
    or National Exam for State Licensure (NESL), if taken through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) prior to their retirement. Exam scores can be requested online at ncbtmb.org. The NCBTMB can be reached by phone at 1-800-296-0664. The NCBTMB will provide your scores directly to the Board office. Do not submit score reports as a part of your application.
  • Complete a ten-hour Florida Laws and Rules course with an approved CE provider, or as part of a course of study at a board approved massage school in Florida. Approved courses and providers can be found by visiting www.cebroker.com.

For applicants with…

Criminal History

If you have been found guilty of or had adjudication withheld for, or pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to a crime in any jurisdiction other than a minor traffic offense, you will need to need to submit the following for each conviction:

  • Self-Explanation describing in detail the circumstances surrounding the arrest and conviction.
  • Arrest records from the arresting jurisdiction.
  • Final disposition of the case.
  • Documents showing completion of sentence (probation, parole, sanctions, fines, etc.).

If arrest, disposition, or completion of sentencing records are unavailable, the clerk of courts or other agency responsible for those records may submit documentation attesting to the unavailability of those records.

Some convictions may require review by the Board of Massage Therapy during a regularly scheduled meeting. Board staff cannot advise you as to how the board may find based on documented criminal history, as applications which require board review are evaluated by the board on a case-by-case basis.

Reviews are scheduled for 90 or less days from the date your application is complete, including receipt of all supporting documentation. If your application is scheduled for review, you will be notified in writing by board staff.

Failure to disclose criminal history on your application may result in the denial of your application or conditions (fines, additional continuing education) imposed on your license, once issued.

Disciplinary History

If you have ever been denied a license, had disciplinary action taken against a license, have action pending against a license, or have had other action taken against you by a licensing agency (e.g. unlicensed activity) you will need to submit the following for each denial, action, pending action or prior action:

  • Self-Explanation describing in detail the circumstances surrounding the circumstances of the action.
  • Agency records of that action, including all administrative complaints and final orders.

Disciplinary history requires review by the Board of Massage Therapy during a regularly scheduled meeting; board staff cannot advise you as to how the board may find based on disciplinary history, as applications which require board review are evaluated by the board on a case-by-case basis.

Reviews are scheduled for 90 or less days from the date your application is complete, including receipt of all supporting documentation. When your application is scheduled for review, you will be notified in writing by board staff.

Failure to disclose disciplinary history on your application may result in the denial of your application or conditions imposed on your license once issued.

Health History

If a Yes response was provided to any of the questions in this section, provide the following documents directly to the board office:

A letter from a Licensed Health Care Practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

A written self-explanation, identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s); and current status.

Requirements for Examination Applicants
  • Complete a course of study at a board approved massage school consisting of 500 or more clock hours.
    • For applicants who graduated from a Florida board approved massage school, completion will be verified using an official transcript or graduate list.
    • For applicants who graduated from a school in another state, completion will be verified by submission of an official transcript. If staff cannot verify the approval of your school, additional documentation may be requested.
    • For applicants who graduated from a school outside the United States, completion will be documented by the submission of an evaluation of your transcript prepared by an education credentialing service.
    • Documentation of your completed course of study must come directly from your school, the custodian of records if your school has closed, or the credentialing service if you graduated from a school outside the United States. Unofficial transcripts and transcripts sent directly by applicants will not be accepted.
  • Pass an examination approved by the Board.
    The following examinations are currently approved by the Board.
  • Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).Exam scores may be requested online at www.fsmtb.org. The FSMTB can be reached by phone at 1-866-962-3926. The FSMTB will provide your scores directly to the Board office. Do not submit score reports as a part of your application.
  • National Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage (NCETM),
    National Certification Examination in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB),
    or National Exam for State Licensure (NESL), if taken through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) prior to their retirement. Exam scores can be requested online at ncbtmb.org. The NCBTMB can be reached by phone at 1-800-296-0664. The NCBTMB will provide your scores directly to the Board office. Do not submit score reports as a part of your application.
  • Complete a ten-hour Florida Laws and Rules course with an approved CE provider, or as part of a course of study at a board approved massage school in Florida. Approved courses and providers can be found by visiting www.cebroker.com.
Criminal History

If you have been found guilty of or had adjudication withheld for, or pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to a crime in any jurisdiction other than a minor traffic offense, you will need to need to submit the following for each conviction:

  • Self-Explanation describing in detail the circumstances surrounding the arrest and conviction.
  • Arrest records from the arresting jurisdiction.
  • Final disposition of the case.
  • Documents showing completion of sentence (probation, parole, sanctions, fines, etc.).

If arrest, disposition, or completion of sentencing records are unavailable, the clerk of courts or other agency responsible for those records may submit documentation attesting to the unavailability of those records.

Some convictions may require review by the Board of Massage Therapy during a regularly scheduled meeting. Board staff cannot advise you as to how the board may find based on documented criminal history, as applications which require board review are evaluated by the board on a case-by-case basis.

Reviews are scheduled for 90 or less days from the date your application is complete, including receipt of all supporting documentation. If your application is scheduled for review, you will be notified in writing by board staff.

Failure to disclose criminal history on your application may result in the denial of your application or conditions (fines, additional continuing education) imposed on your license, once issued.

Disciplinary History

If you have ever been denied a license, had disciplinary action taken against a license, have action pending against a license, or have had other action taken against you by a licensing agency (e.g. unlicensed activity) you will need to submit the following for each denial, action, pending action or prior action:

  • Self-Explanation describing in detail the circumstances surrounding the circumstances of the action.
  • Agency records of that action, including all administrative complaints and final orders.

Disciplinary history requires review by the Board of Massage Therapy during a regularly scheduled meeting; board staff cannot advise you as to how the board may find based on disciplinary history, as applications which require board review are evaluated by the board on a case-by-case basis.

Reviews are scheduled for 90 or less days from the date your application is complete, including receipt of all supporting documentation. When your application is scheduled for review, you will be notified in writing by board staff.

Failure to disclose disciplinary history on your application may result in the denial of your application or conditions imposed on your license once issued.

Health History

If a Yes response was provided to any of the questions in this section, provide the following documents directly to the board office:

A letter from a Licensed Health Care Practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

A written self-explanation, identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s); and current status.

Health Care Fraud; Disqualification for License, Certificate, or Registration

Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

  1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
    1. For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    2. For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    3. For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
  2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;
  3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
  4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
  5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities.
Process
  • Submit your application, fee payment, and supporting documentation.
    Your application and fee payment may be submitted online, or by mail.
  • Submit any additional documentation, if requested.
    If additional documentation is required, you will receive correspondence which includes a list of all items which are needed to complete your application. If you provided an email address, this correspondence will be sent to the email address on your application.

Applications submitted without fees will not be processed.
For additional information on how to submit fee payments for an application that has already been submitted, see our  “How Do I…?”.

Fees
Fees Amount
Application fee (non-refundable): $50.00
Initial licensing fee: $100.00
Unlicensed activity fee: $5.00
Total: $155.00

Applications submitted without fees will not be processed.

Statutes and Rules

Processing Times

Florida law provides that an initial application must be reviewed within 30 days. Below is the average number of days at which we are currently processing.

Apply Online / Return to Login

To apply online visit MQA Services Portal to create an account or return to your account by clicking the button below.

 

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.

Renew Your License

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Renewal Requirements, Process, Fees and Continuing Education (CE) for a Massage Therapist.


Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.

Requirements
General Requirements

Current licenses expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on August 31, 2025.

The Department will renew your license upon receipt of:

*Required section 456.0135(6)(1), Florida Statutes, a $43.25 fee is required for FDLE to retain your fingerprint for background screening during this licensure cycle. This fee is collected at the time of licensure renewal if your fingerprint retention is expiring this licensure period. If your fingerprint retention expires in the next 60 days, you will need to to pay separately through the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) System.

To ensure you receive your renewal notification from the department, your current mailing address must be on file. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to renew before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department.

Licensees requesting to reactivate their license from inactive or retired status are required to pay additional fees and comply with specific continuing education requirements. Please contact the board office at info@floridasmassagetherapy.gov to request your reactivation requirements.

There have been changes to the license renewal process. Please visit CE Broker to learn more.

In continued response to COVID-19 and the ongoing concerns of licensees, the Board of Massage Therapy approved an additional two-year change to renewal requirements.

Check here for additional information about completing hands-on courses by distance learning.

Reactivation of Inactive License

Licensees who wish to reactivate their Inactive Massage Therapist license must meet the following requirements:

  1. Submit a statement to the board requesting reactivation of license with the applicable fee.
  2. Submit proof of completion of continuing education requirements for each biennium the license was in Inactive status.

Check here for a list of CE requirements per biennium (PDF).

A licensee who remained on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles may be required to demonstrate the competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.

Process

At least 90 days before your license expires, the department will mail you a renewal notification postcard to your last known mailing address of record. You will have until midnight on the day your license expires to renew. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to become active or inactive before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department.

Renewal Instructions:

  1. Go to www.flhealthsource.gov and click the “Renew A License” button.
  2. Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
  3. Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
  4. You are now in the Dashboard. During renewals, a “Renew My License” option will populate no later than 90 days prior to your license expiration date. (Note: If you do not see the “Renew My License” option, please check back at a later time.)

*** If the “PII Failed” screen displays, click the “Other Login Option” button and enter your existing User ID and password to access your account.***

Additional Information:

  • The process of renewing a license and receiving a printed license in the mail may take 7-10 business days. Initiating contact to confirm the receipt of fees or the status of your license prior to this time will not expedite the renewal process.
  • You may renew online if you have a credit or debit card to complete the transaction. Please note that you can now renew online, print a copy of your application summary and mail it with your cashier’s check or money order to:
    Division of Medical Quality Assurance
    P.O. Box 6320
    Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320
  • If you are renewing your license after the expiration date and your status still indicates Clear/Active or Clear/Inactive, you will be assessed a delinquency fee. The delinquency fee will be in addition to your renewal fees.
  • If your license is Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive you may still renew prior to the renewal deadline. The following actions must be taken prior to renewing your license:
    • Prior to renewing your license, you must report your continuing education (CE) hours to the Department of Health’s tracking system.
    • To renew a delinquent license, you will need to report your CE hours for your current cycle, as well as your previous cycle.
    • If you did not complete CE courses in your last renewal cycle, you may complete them now and report them to the CE tracking system.
    • To report course completion, log onto your MQA Online Account.  From your dashboard, go to “Additional Activities” and select Report CE/CME.

    Please note, when renewing your license, a delinquent fee will be assessed in addition to all applicable renewal fees.

  • If your license was Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive before the renewal deadline, it will be moved to Null and Void status after the renewal deadline. A Null & Void license cannot be reactivated. If you wish to be licensed in Florida and have a Null &Void license you will need to reapply for licensure.
  • A licensee whose license is in inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles may be required to demonstrate competency to resume active practice before reactivating the license. Sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements may be required

Note: Report continuing education credits to the Department of Health through our CE tracking system at www.cebroker.com. Do not submit certificates of completion of continuing education hours

Fees

Certified check or money order should be made payable to the Florida Department of Health.

If renewing BEFORE your license expires, your fees will be:

Type of fee Price
Active to Active $105.00
Inactive to Inactive $105.00
Active to Inactive $105.00
Inactive to Active $205.00
Active to Retired $55.00
Inactive to Retired $55.00

If renewing AFTER your license expires, your fees will be:

Type of fee Price
Active to Active $205.00
Inactive to Inactive $205.00
Active to Inactive $255.00
Inactive to Active $355.00
Active to Retired $205.00
Inactive to Retired $205.00

If renewing 120 day Notified Delinquent, your fees will be:

Type of fee Price
Active to Active $310.00
Inactive to Inactive $310.00
Active to Inactive $310.00
Inactive to Active $410.00
Active to Retired $260.00
Inactive to Retired $260.00

Licenses become Null & Void1 on September 1, 2025.

*Required section 456.0135(6)(1), Florida Statutes, a $43.25 fee is required for FDLE to retain your fingerprint for background screening during this licensure cycle. This fee is collected at the time of licensure renewal if your fingerprint retention is expiring this licensure period. If your fingerprint retention expires in the next 60 days, you will need to to pay separately through the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) System.

By submitting the appropriate renewal fees to the department, a licensee acknowledges compliance with all requirements for renewal, including continuing education.

A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.

1Null & Void -The licensed practitioner failed to renew their licensure status for two renewal cycles, resulting in their license expiring.

Continuing Education
Continuing Education

Requirements for all Continuing Education Courses

All continuing education courses taken to meet license renewal requirements must be Board approved and must be offered by a Florida Board approved provider (including Florida Board Approved Massage Therapy Schools).

Board approved courses and providers can be found using CEBroker.

Plan ahead! Required courses may be completed at any time during the renewal cycle.

All courses must appear on your continuing education transcript in CEBroker before you will be able to complete your renewal. Some providers may take longer than others to report course completion to your CE transcript.

Board staff will not be able to accept CE certificates, report course completions or update CE transcripts on your behalf.

Subject Area and Hour Requirements

Subject area and hour requirements differ for first and subsequent renewals.

First Renewal - Subject Area and Hour Requirements

The total number of continuing education hours required for your first renewal is equal to the number of months and partial months you have been licensed.

Your total number of hours required includes hours completed in the required prevention of medical errors and human trafficking awareness courses.

Subject Area Required Hours Important Information
Prevention of Medical Errors (Instruction Hours) 2 hours This course is required for all licensed health care practitioners per section 456.013(7), F.S.
Human Trafficking Awareness (Instruction Hours) 1 hour This course is required every renewal, and must address both sex trafficking and labor trafficking, how to identify individuals who may be victims of human trafficking, how to report cases of human trafficking, resources available to victims, and how to seek assistance as a victim of trafficking.
General Hours (Instruction Hours) 1 hour per month or partial month licensed over three months General hours may include a varied range of subjects. All courses in this category must be approved by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy.

Hours taken during the renewal cycle in excess of the required hours in any of the other subject areas may be counted as general hours.

 

Subsequent Renewals – Subject Area and Hour Requirements

24 hours of continuing education are required for all subsequent renewals, as follows.

Subject Area Required Hours Important Information
Relevant to and Focused on Massage Therapy Techniques, Skills and Protocols (Classroom Hours) 12 hours For the 2023-2025 renewal cycles, courses in this subject area may be taken by distance learning.

Check here for more information.

Courses in this subject area are usually required to be in an in-person (classroom) setting.

Prevention of Medical Errors (Instruction Hours) 2 hours This course is required for all licensed health care practitioners pursuant to Section 456.013(7), Florida Statutes.
Human Trafficking Awareness (Instruction Hours) 1 hour This course is required every renewal, and must address both sex trafficking and labor trafficking, how to identify individuals who may be victims of human trafficking, how to report cases of human trafficking, resources available to victims, and how to seek assistance as a victim of trafficking.
Florida Laws and Rules (Instruction Hours) 2 hours This course must cover Chapters 456 and 480, Florida Statutes and Rule 64B7, Florida Administrative Code, which govern massage therapy practice in Florida.
Professional Ethics (Instruction Hours) 2 hours This course is required by Rule 64B7-28.009(4)(c), Florida Administrative Code.
General Hours (Instruction Hours) 5 hours General hours may include a varied range of subjects. All courses in this category must be approved by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy.

Hours taken during the renewal cycle in excess of the required hours in any of the other subject areas may be counted as general hours.

Other Ways to Complete Your CE Hours
  • Florida Laws and Rules and Professional Ethics requirements may be met by attending 4 hours of an in-person meeting of the Board. Attendance is verified by signing in and out during your attendance.

 

  • Up to 6 hours in the Relevant to and Focused on Massage Therapy Techniques, Skills and Protocols or General subject areas may be completed by the performance of pro-bono services on an hour for hour basis for indigent or underserved populations, in areas of critical need, in connection with a tax-exempt organization, in response to a disaster, or for first responders.

 

Pro-bono hours must be approved by the board prior to completion to be counted for continuing education credit.

The form for approval of pro-bono hours (PDF) can be found here.

A statement of performance of approved pro-bono hours must be submitted following completion to be counted for continuing education credit. Pro-bono hours submitted that were not approved prior to completion will not be accepted.

The form to submit completed pro-bono hours (PDF) can be found here.

Statutes and Rules

Florida Statute

Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 480: Massage Practice

Florida Administrative Code

Rules: Chapter 64B7: Board of Massage
Rules: Chapter 64B: Division of Medical Quality Assurance

Renew Online

To renew online visit the MQA Services Portal by clicking the button below.

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.