Mississippi Massage License
Updated for 2024
The state of Mississippi requires all massage therapists to be licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT). Requirements to become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in Mississippi include completing a board approved massage education program of at least 700 hours. Also, the applicant must pass a massage exam like the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) or one offered by the NCBTMB, as well as pass the Mississippi State Licensing Examination (MSLE).
The massage license applicant must meet all of the other requirements as described on the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy 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 804 massage therapists in Mississippi. That’s 1 therapist per every 3,722 people in the state.
Mississippi Quick Look
Massage License Required? Yes
Designation: LMT
Education hours: 700
Exam: MBLEx or NCBTMB
CEUs / Renewals: 24 CEUs/2yrs
Massage Education Requirements in Mississippi
Applicants for a massage license in Mississippi are required to complete at least of 600 hours of supervised classroom instruction, and at least 100 hours of student clinic from an approved school. Students must achieve minimum grade of “C” for every course. No approved massage program will consist of more than 40 clock hours of instruction per week. The following curriculum requirements are the minimum instructional hours in each content area that an approved school may have:
- 200 hours in massage theory and application, including:
- 10 hours of massage law and ethics
- 20 hours of history, benefits, indications and contraindications
- 100 hours of massage demonstration and supervised practice
- 200 hours of science of the human body, including:
- 20 hours of anatomy, including all body systems
- 20 hours of physiology, including all body systems
- 20 hours of myology or kinesiology
- 20 hours of neurology
- 20 hours of pathology, including medical terminology
- 100 hours to expand on any of the previous 5 topics
- 200 hours in allied modalities including:
- 7 hours of Eastern, Western and European theory and methods
- 8 hours of CPR and first aid
- 10 hours of charting and documentation
- 25 hours of hydrotherapy and infrared heat
- 20 hours of referral methods
- 130 hours to expand on any of the previous 5 content areas.
- 100 hours of supervised student clinic, which must include at least (50) 1-hour massage therapy sessions.
Official transcripts must be sent directly from the approved massage therapy school to the Mississippi State Board. Massage therapists who are licensed in another state must have a minimum of 500 in-class education hours of education to apply through reciprocity, and have documented evidence of 3 years working experience from a regulated state.
Examination Requirements
The Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy 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 (this exam is no longer offered)
Preparing for the MBLEx is a critical step for prospective massage therapists in Mississippi. Effective preparation, including the use of MBLEx practice tests, enhances understanding of the exam format and question types, better equipping candidates for success.
If you have not yet taken the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam and are planning to seek licensure in Mississippi, simply select this state when registering for the MBLEx, and they will send your scores to the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy 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 Mississippi has additional requirements. The applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age on the date the application is submitted
- Have proof of high school education or equivalent
- Be legal to work in the state of Mississippi
- Pass the Mississippi State Law Exam (MSLE). Visit their website to see links to MSLE information including study material, exam schedules, exam handbook and exam application. Applicants must receive a score of 70% or higher.
- Criminal History Records Check with fingerprinting
- Verify current CPR certification and first aid training. Approved courses must include a hands-on component of instruction.
Massage License Fees
Here is a summary of the fees charged by the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy:
- Application packet fee: $15
- Application fee: $50
- 2-year License fee: $200
- Mississippi State Law Exam (MSLE) fee: $100
- Criminal History Records Check fee: $36
- License renewal fee: $200
- Paper application fee for renewals using the paper application method: $35
There are other fees including late renewal fees that may apply in different circumstances. See their Rules and Regulations Handbook page 7-10 for details. All fees are non-refundable. Payments can be made with a cashier’s check or money order made out to MSBMT. Major credit cards or eChecks may be used for online renewals.
Renewal Process
All massage therapy licenses expire every two years on May 31. The following must be done to complete your renewal application:
- Licensed therapists can download and complete the renewal application, or renew online
- Provide proof of current CPR and first aid certifications (these do not count towards CEU hours)
- Complete 24 CEU credit hours. Must include 3 CE hours of MS law, 3 hours of CPR/first aid, and 3 hours of ethics.
- Send renewal fee of $200
Licensees and applicants can visit the board website find more information about massage continuing education in Mississippi.
Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy
Contact Information
Address:
Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy
PO Box 20
Morton, MS 39117
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.