New Mexico Massage License
Updated for 2024
To practice massage therapy in New Mexico, therapists must first have a license issued by the New Mexico Massage Therapy Board.
To become a licensed massage therapist (LMT) in the state of New Mexico, you must first complete the requirements as described on the New Mexico massage Therapy Board website. We’ve provided a summary of these requirements below for a quick reference.
Industry research from ABMP in 2016 estimated that there was about 3,023 massage therapists in New Mexico. That’s 1 therapist per every 690 people in the state. Find out how MBLExGuide can help you pass the massage exam.
New Mexico Quick Look
Massage License Required? Yes
Designation: LMT
Education hours: 650
Exam: MBLEx or NCBTMB
CEUs / Renewals: 16 CEUs/2yrs
Massage Education Requirements in New Mexico
Applicants for a New Mexico massage license are required to complete a minimum of 600 hours of supervised classroom and clinical instruction from an approved school or program. The curriculum must include the following minimum training hours:
- 165 hours of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology (minimum 40 hours pathology)
- 150 hours of massage therapy training, including contraindications to massage therapy and at 100 – 150 hours of clinical practicum
- 75 hours of general instruction including: business, hydrotherapy, professional ethics (30 hours), first aid (4 hours), and CPR (4 hours)
- Electives related to the profession of massage therapy
Examination Requirements
The New Jersey Massage Therapy Board has approved the following exams:
- Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)
- NCETMB/NCETM credentialing exam offered by the NCBTMB
To enhance your preparation for the MBLEx, consider utilizing MBLEx practice exams. This tool can be especially beneficial in familiarizing yourself with the exam format and types of questions, thereby refining your study strategy to align more closely with the exam’s requirements.
If you have not yet taken the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam and are planning to seek licensure in New Mexico, simply select this state when registering for the MBLEx, and they will send your scores to the New Mexico Massage Therapy Board when you pass. Check out our About the MBLEx page to see how to apply and schedule your exam.
Additional License Requirements
Getting a license in New Mexico has additional requirements. The applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age on the date the application is submitted
- Have completed high school or equivalent
- Background check with fingerprinting
- Verify current CPR certification including AED and first aid training
Applicants can view or print the massage rules and regulations from their website.
Massage License Fees
Below is a summary of the fees charged by the New Mexico Massage Therapy Board. All fees collected by the board are non-refundable.
- Application fee: $75
- Initial license: Pro-rated $5/month
- License renewal fee: $125
- Late renewal penalty: $75
Renewal Process
The New Mexico massage therapy license is a biennial license that must be renewed every two years. The following must be done to complete your renewal application:
- Download and complete the renewal application
- Complete an new background check with fingerprints
- Verify current CPR certification
- Complete 16 CEU credit hours, with 4 hours in ethics. 8 of the 16 hours may be taken online.
- Send renewal fee (check board website for amount)
New Mexico Massage Therapy Board
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Massage Therapy Board
PO Box 25101
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Physical Address:
Massage Therapy Board
Toney Anaya Building, 2nd Floor
2550 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
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.