Updated March 2026
Texas Massage License Requirements
Everything you need to understand Texas massage therapy licensing in one place — from education and exam requirements to renewal, reciprocity, board contacts, and salary data.
500 education hours
MBLEx or TX State Exam
12 CE hours every 2 years
Texas Massage License at a Glance
The key facts you need before diving into the details
License required?
Yes – state license required to practice
Issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Credential title
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
Professional license for hands-on practice
Minimum education hours
500 classroom hours
From a TDLR-licensed school or accredited program
Accepted exam(s)
MBLEx or Texas State Exam (PSI)
MBLEx requires a separate jurisprudence exam; Texas State Exam does not
Renewal & continuing education
12 CE hours every 2 years
Plus Human Trafficking Prevention Training and fingerprinting at each renewal
Initial license cost (approx.)
~$404 total via MBLEx route
$100 application + $39.05 fingerprinting + $265 MBLEx. Lower with TX State Exam.
State board website
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
See the board contact section below for the TDLR website, phone number, and direct links to application forms.
Best next step
Start with the licensing steps below
Or jump to any section using the quick links to find exactly what you need.
How to Get a Massage License in Texas
Getting your Texas massage license is a straightforward process, but there are a few state-specific details — like Texas’s own licensing exam option — that are worth understanding before you start. Here’s how to become a licensed massage therapist in Texas, step by step.
Complete 500 hours of massage therapy education
You’ll need to graduate from a massage school licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), or from an accredited out-of-state school or college program.
Let your school report your completion to TDLR
If you enrolled in a Texas massage school on or after September 1, 2020, your school automatically notifies TDLR when you graduate. If you attended before that date or graduated from an out-of-state program, you’ll need to apply directly.
Submit your license application online
The application fee is $100 (non-refundable). You can apply through TDLR’s online portal. If you don’t have a Social Security Number, you’ll need to apply by mail using a separate form.
Pass your required exam(s)
Texas gives you two options. You can take the MBLEx — the national exam used by most states — or the Texas State Massage Therapist Exam administered by PSI. One key difference: if you choose the MBLEx, you’ll also need to pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam. If you take the Texas State Exam, the jurisprudence content is already built in.
Complete fingerprinting for your background check
After you submit your application, TDLR will email you instructions to schedule a fingerprinting appointment with IdentoGO. The fee is $39.05, paid directly to IdentoGO.
Receive your license
Once TDLR verifies your exam results, education, and background check, your license is issued. It’s valid for two years from the date of issue.
Texas Massage Therapy Education Requirements
Texas requires a minimum of 500 classroom hours of massage therapy education from a TDLR-licensed school or an accredited out-of-state program. Here’s what the curriculum covers and what you need to know about education requirements.
|
Subject Area |
Hours required |
|---|---|
|
Massage Therapy Techniques & Theory (includes 125 hours of Swedish massage) |
200 |
|
Anatomy |
50 |
|
Kinesiology |
50 |
|
Physiology |
25 |
|
Pathology |
40 |
|
Hydrotherapy |
20 |
|
Laws, Rules, Business Practices & Professional Ethics |
45 |
|
Health, Hygiene, First Aid, Universal Precautions & CPR |
20 |
|
Internship (minimum 40 hours hands-on, conducted on school grounds) |
50 |
|
Total |
500 hours |
- Your massage school must be licensed by TDLR if it’s located in Texas. Out-of-state graduates need transcripts from an accredited school or college — TDLR will evaluate your education on an individual basis.
- If you graduated from a Texas school before September 1, 2020, or from an out-of-state program, you won’t go through the automatic school-to-TDLR reporting process. Instead, you’ll apply directly and submit your official transcripts.
- If TDLR identifies a deficiency in your coursework after you apply, you may have up to one year to complete additional approved coursework. If the deficiency isn’t resolved within that window, your application may be voided.
Texas Massage License Exam Requirements
Texas is one of a small number of states that offers its own licensing exam alongside the MBLEx. This means you have a choice — and the exam you pick affects what else you need to do.
Option 1: MBLEx + Texas Jurisprudence Exam
The MBLEx is the national massage licensing exam administered by FSMTB. It costs $265 and is available at Pearson VUE testing centers in English and Spanish. You can register through FSMTB. If you need to retake the exam, the fee is the same $265 — you’ll need to reapply and pay the full amount each time.
If you go this route, you’ll also need to pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam, which covers Texas-specific massage therapy laws and rules. The jurisprudence exam is administered online through PSI and must be completed within 30 days of paying the registration fee — after 30 days, the registration expires and the fee is forfeited.
After passing the MBLEx, you’ll need to submit your results to TDLR using the MBLEx Result Transfer Form before your license can be issued.
Option 2: Texas State Massage Therapist Exam
The Texas State Exam is administered by PSI at testing centers across Texas. It covers massage therapy knowledge based on 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Section 117.20 — and because Texas law and rules are already embedded in this exam, you do not need to take a separate jurisprudence exam.
Exam Pass Rates (Texas State Exam)
|
Fiscal Year |
Pass Rate |
|---|---|
|
FY 2025 (Sep 2024 – Aug 2025) |
70.2% |
|
FY 2024 (Sep 2023 – Aug 2024) |
65.7% |
Important timing note
Your exam results are only valid for two years. You must complete your 500 hours of education and pass an acceptable exam within the last two years to be eligible for licensure.
Getting Ready for the MBLEx?
Test yourself with free practice questions that match the format and difficulty of the real exam.
Additional Requirements for a Texas Massage License
Beyond education and exams, here’s what else TDLR requires.
- Background check and fingerprinting: Required for all applicants. After submitting your application, TDLR emails fingerprinting instructions. You’ll schedule an appointment with IdentoGO, and the fee is $39.05 (paid directly to IdentoGO by credit card, business check, money order, or coupon code — no cash or personal checks). Fingerprinting is also required at every renewal.
- Proof of identity: Applicants without a Social Security Number must apply by mail and complete an additional form.
- Human Trafficking Prevention Training: Not required for initial licensure, but required at every renewal. The course must be approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
Criminal history & background checks
If you have a criminal record, you’re not automatically out of the running for a Texas massage license — but there’s one important exception.
TDLR reviews most criminal histories on a case-by-case basis, considering the nature of the conviction and how much time has passed since the offense. However, certain offenses specified in Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455 are statutory disqualifiers for massage therapy licensure. These are offenses the Texas legislature has designated as automatic bars. Review the specific disqualifying offenses and TDLR’s enforcement guidelines carefully before applying.
Pre-application option: TDLR offers a Criminal History Evaluation Letter for a $10 fee. They review your background using the same process as a real application and issue a letter indicating whether licensure appears possible. Learn more on TDLR’s second chances page.
Texas Massage License Application Process & Fees
The application process depends on when and where you completed your education.
Application steps
Texas massage license cost — fee schedule
|
Fee Type |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Massage Therapist — Initial Application |
$100 |
|
Massage Therapist — Renewal (biennial) |
$75 |
|
Late Renewal (expired ≤90 days) |
$112.50 |
|
Late Renewal (expired >90 days to <18 months) |
$150 |
|
Late Renewal (expired 18 months to <3 years, requires Executive Director approval) |
$150 |
|
Massage Establishment — Initial Application |
$200 |
|
Massage Establishment — Renewal (biennial) |
$200 |
|
Fingerprinting (IdentoGO, paid to vendor) |
$39.05 |
|
Criminal History Evaluation Letter |
$10 |
|
MBLEx Exam (paid to FSMTB) |
$265 |
|
Reinstatement (license expired ≥3 years) |
Full reapplication |
Payment & processing
All fees are non-refundable. Online payment is accepted through TDLR’s portal. IdentoGO accepts credit cards, business checks, money orders, and coupon codes (no personal checks or cash).
How to Renew Your Texas Massage License
Texas massage licenses expire every two years from the date they were issued, so your renewal deadline is unique to you — not a statewide date. The Texas massage license renewal fee is $75, and you can renew online at TDLR’s renewal portal.
Before you renew, you’ll need to complete three things:
- 12 hours of continuing education from a TDLR-approved provider, a licensed Texas massage school, or an NCBTMB-approved provider. Acceptable topics include massage therapy practice, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, business practices, professional ethics, and Texas massage laws and rules.
- Human Trafficking Prevention Training — an HHSC-approved course required at every renewal, separate from your CE hours.
- Fingerprinting — yes, at every renewal, not just your initial application. Complete through IdentoGO at least 30 days before your license expires.
One important note on continuing education for massage therapists in Texas: online or correspondence CE is only acceptable for non-technique subjects. If the CE covers massage therapy techniques or manipulation of soft tissue, it must be completed in person.
Keep your CE records for at least five years. TDLR audits CE compliance, and failing to maintain records is a Class A violation carrying a $500–$1,500 penalty.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
|
Expiration Window |
What Happens |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Expired ≤90 days |
Can still renew with late fee |
$112.50 |
|
>90 days to <18 months |
Can still renew with higher late fee |
$150 |
|
18 months to <3 years |
Renewal requires Executive Director approval |
$150 |
|
≥3 years |
Cannot renew — must reapply as new applicant |
Full initial fees |
Don’t let your license lapse past the three-year mark. At that point, you’re starting over — meeting all current requirements for a new applicant, including exams and full fees. If you’re within the first 90 days past expiration, renew immediately and save yourself the hassle.
Practicing massage therapy on an expired license in Texas is a violation that can result in disciplinary action and penalties. If your license has lapsed and you’re unsure about your options, contact TDLR directly.
Texas Massage License Reciprocity & Endorsement
Texas doesn’t use the term “reciprocity.” Instead, TDLR evaluates out-of-state applicants on an individual endorsement basis — meaning your credentials are reviewed case by case rather than through an automatic transfer process.
Endorsement document checklist
The endorsement application fee is $100 (same as new applicants). Apply online at TDLR’s out-of-state applicant page. Fingerprinting is required ($39.05), and your license will be valid for two years from the date of issue.
If your education falls short
If your home state required fewer than 500 hours, TDLR evaluates your credentials on an individual basis. Submit as much documentation as possible — transcripts, course descriptions, CE records — to give TDLR the fullest picture of your training.
Note on exams: The NCBTMB Board Certification Exam (BCETMB) is not accepted for Texas endorsement applications. Only the MBLEx is recognized as a national exam.
Military provisions: TDLR recognizes active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses with specific provisions including potential fee waivers and expedited licensing. Review provisions on the TDLR application form or contact TDLR directly.
Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) — Texas
As of March 2026, Texas has not introduced legislation to join the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact).
This means Texas massage therapists cannot currently obtain an IMpact multistate license, and therapists licensed in IMpact member states cannot use a compact privilege to practice in Texas. If you hold a license in another state and want to practice in Texas, you’ll need to go through the standard endorsement process described above.
Given that Texas has the fourth-largest massage therapist workforce in the country (over 5,400 employed as of 2023 BLS data), the absence of IMpact legislation is notable — particularly for therapists who work near state borders, travel for work, or serve military families.
For the latest on which states have joined and how the compact works, visit massagecompact.org.
Texas Massage Therapy Rules & Regulations
Texas regulates massage therapy under the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455 and 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 117, both administered by TDLR. Here’s a plain-language summary of the key rules you’ll need to follow.
- Scope of practice: Massage therapy in Texas is defined as the manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Diagnosis and prescription are explicitly outside the scope of practice — if a client needs medical advice, refer them to an appropriate healthcare provider.
- Establishment licensing: Texas requires a separate establishment license ($200 initial fee) for any business that advertises or offers massage therapy. Solo practitioners may be exempt if all advertising includes the therapist’s MT license number or full legal name.
- Advertising rules: You cannot use the word “massage” in any form of advertising without holding an applicable license. Advertising without a valid Texas license is a Class B violation ($1,000–$2,500 penalty and up to one-year suspension).
- Draping requirements: Per 16 TAC §117.91, therapists must drape the breasts of all female clients (breast massage requires written consent before each session) and draping of the genital area and gluteal cleavage is required at all times for all clients.
- Client consultation: A written consultation document is required before the first session with each client, including anticipated services, body parts to be massaged or avoided, draping statements, and signatures from both the client and therapist.
- Record-keeping: Maintain CE records for a minimum of five years. Report name, address, phone, and employment changes to TDLR in writing.
- Key prohibitions: No one may reside on the premises of a massage establishment, no sexual contact on premises, no massage at sexually oriented businesses, and no unlicensed persons performing massage services. Violations carry $500–$5,000 penalties with potential suspension or revocation.
For the full text of Texas massage therapy laws and administrative rules, visit TDLR’s laws and rules page.
Massage Therapist Salary & Job Outlook in Texas
How much do massage therapists make in Texas? Here’s the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
$50,420
Mean (average) annual wage in Texas
5,490
Total massage therapist employment statewide
15%
Projected national job growth (2023–2033)
|
Metro Area |
Mean Annual Wage |
Employment |
|---|---|---|
|
Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land |
$54,450 |
1,290 |
|
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington |
$48,940 |
1,930 |
|
San Antonio–New Braunfels |
$50,070 |
480 |
The Dallas–Fort Worth area has the highest concentration of massage therapy jobs in Texas, while Houston-area therapists earn the highest average wages in the state. The national median annual wage for massage therapists was $57,950 as of May 2024.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15% job growth for massage therapists nationally from 2023 to 2033 — classified as “much faster than average.” With Texas’s large and growing population, the state’s massage therapy job market is positioned to benefit from this national trend.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2023; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
TDLR Massage Therapy — Board Contact Info & Important Links
Board contact information
Board: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Street address: 920 Colorado, Austin, Texas 78701
Mailing address: P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-6599
Toll-free (Texas): (800) 803-9202
Fax: (512) 463-9468
Email: Web form at tdlr.texas.gov/contact.htm
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Website: tdlr.texas.gov/mas/
This page is for informational purposes only and was last verified March 2026. Requirements and fees are subject to change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).