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Michigan Massage Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Massage Therapist License

Ordinary massage therapist licence under Part 179A of the Public Health Code.

Licensing authority: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs / Michigan Board of Massage Therapy · Application information

Continuation of an existing licence during active military or federal public health service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing Licence
The individual was licensed at induction or entry into service and practises the profession in active United States military service, an auxiliary, or the United States Public Health Service.
Notice
Notify the Board of military service or federal employment and its cessation; the existing licence continues without further action until discharge or leaving service.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Presumed removal or alteration of disciplinary limitations lasting one year or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Limitation Duration
The disciplinary limitation lasts one year or less and its minimum period has expired.
Order And Exceptions
No contrary order, pending complaint, subsequent disciplinary order, or opposition alleging failure to meet the limitation order may defeat R 792.10712(3)'s presumption.
Order Compliance
Comply with the order. Cases requiring a petition or an individually imposed examination are outside this presumed-reclassification route.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Presumed reinstatement after suspension of six months or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Order And Exceptions
The disciplinary order must permit presumed reinstatement; no pending complaint, subsequent disciplinary order, or supported allegation of noncompliance may defeat the presumption in R 792.10711(3).
Order Compliance
Comply with every condition of the disciplinary order. Cases requiring a petition or an individually imposed examination are outside this presumed-reinstatement route.
Suspension Duration
Suspension for six months or less; the minimum period has elapsed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement: licensed less than three years
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
Current Curriculum
For enrolment on or after January 10, 2020, R 338.722a requires 75 supervised-clinic hours, 200 assessment/theory/application hours, 125 body-systems hours, 40 pathology hours, 25 business/practice/ethics hours including at least 10 ethics hours, and 160 additional hours. Earlier enrolments follow R 338.722. R 338.724 governs the supervised clinic.
Education
Complete an approved supervised curriculum and submit direct official transcripts and the supervised-curriculum certification. R 338.722 requires 500 hours for enrolment before August 1, 2017 and 625 hours for enrolment from August 1, 2017 through January 9, 2020; R 338.722a requires 625 hours for enrolment on or after January 10, 2020.
English Proficiency
Demonstrate working English under R 338.7002b through English-medium education, 60 English-language college credits, a board-approved credential evaluation, or a listed English-language test meeting that rule's score and time limits. A language test is an applicant condition.
Equivalency
The Board determines substantial equivalence under MCL 333.17959(2); R 338.737(d)-(e) implements the education and examination requirements for applicants licensed less than three years.
Guide Practice Condition
The January 26, 2026 licensing guide describes this class as first licensed in another state and actively engaged in practice for less than three years. R 338.737 uses licence duration and includes countries, jurisdictions, territories, and provinces.
Historical NCETMBScore
R 338.734(b) accepts an NCETMB passing score only if taken before November 1, 2014. The retired licensing examination is prior-score evidence, not a current exam leaf. FSMTB's 2015 Annual Report confirms the NCBTMB licensing examinations ceased effective February 1, 2015.
Human Trafficking Training
Complete the one-time human-trafficking identification training meeting R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
For initial issuance, complete at least two hours of qualifying implicit-bias training within the preceding five years under R 338.7004(1).
Licence Duration
Hold an active massage therapist licence in good standing in another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province; the less-than-three-years column of R 338.737 applies.
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
School Approval
Use the Board-approved supervised curriculum under R 338.726, including a qualifying NCBTMB assigned school or a school with the specified recognized accreditation.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.
Licensure by endorsement: licensed three years or more
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
English Proficiency
Demonstrate working English under R 338.7002b through English-medium education, 60 English-language college credits, a board-approved credential evaluation, or a listed English-language test meeting that rule's score and time limits. A language test is an applicant condition.
Equivalency
The Board determines substantial equivalence under MCL 333.17959(2). In the R 338.737 table, curriculum and examination rows apply only to the less-than-three-years column.
Human Trafficking Training
Complete the one-time human-trafficking identification training meeting R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
For initial issuance, complete at least two hours of qualifying implicit-bias training within the preceding five years under R 338.7004(1).
Licence Duration
Hold an active massage therapist licence in good standing in another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province and have been licensed for at least three years before application.
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
Current Curriculum
For enrolment on or after January 10, 2020, R 338.722a requires 75 supervised-clinic hours, 200 assessment/theory/application hours, 125 body-systems hours, 40 pathology hours, 25 business/practice/ethics hours including at least 10 ethics hours, and 160 additional hours. Earlier enrolments follow R 338.722. R 338.724 governs the supervised clinic.
Education
Complete an approved supervised curriculum and submit direct official transcripts and the supervised-curriculum certification. R 338.722 requires 500 hours for enrolment before August 1, 2017 and 625 hours for enrolment from August 1, 2017 through January 9, 2020; R 338.722a requires 625 hours for enrolment on or after January 10, 2020.
English Proficiency
Demonstrate working English under R 338.7002b through English-medium education, 60 English-language college credits, a board-approved credential evaluation, or a listed English-language test meeting that rule's score and time limits. A language test is an applicant condition.
Historical NCETMBScore
R 338.734(b) accepts an NCETMB passing score only if taken before November 1, 2014. The retired licensing examination is prior-score evidence, not a current exam leaf. FSMTB's 2015 Annual Report confirms the NCBTMB licensing examinations ceased effective February 1, 2015.
Human Trafficking Training
Complete the one-time human-trafficking identification training meeting R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
For initial issuance, complete at least two hours of qualifying implicit-bias training within the preceding five years under R 338.7004(1).
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
School Approval
Use the Board-approved supervised curriculum under R 338.726, including a qualifying NCBTMB assigned school or a school with the specified recognized accreditation.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.
Licensure by examination for foreign trained applicants
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
English Proficiency
Demonstrate working English under R 338.7002b through English-medium education, 60 English-language college credits, a board-approved credential evaluation, or a listed English-language test meeting that rule's score and time limits. A language test is an applicant condition.
Foreign Education
Complete an overseas curriculum substantially equivalent to R 338.722 or R 338.722a, as applicable; provide an evaluation by a recognized, accredited NACES-member credential evaluation agency, as required by R 338.736(a).
Historical NCETMBScore
R 338.734(b) accepts an NCETMB passing score only if taken before November 1, 2014. The retired licensing examination is prior-score evidence, not a current exam leaf. FSMTB's 2015 Annual Report confirms the NCBTMB licensing examinations ceased effective February 1, 2015.
Human Trafficking Training
Complete the one-time human-trafficking identification training meeting R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
For initial issuance, complete at least two hours of qualifying implicit-bias training within the preceding five years under R 338.7004(1).
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.
Late renewal within sixty days after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee before expiration; answer the good-character and disciplinary questions and accept the renewal attestation.
Continuing Education
Complete 18 board-approved continuing-education hours in the applicable three-year period, including at least one hour of pain and symptom management and two hours of professional ethics or boundaries; comply with R 338.741 activity, duplication, and credit limits.
Cycle
The massage therapy licence cycle is three years from the issue date under MCL 333.17957(2) and R 338.7002.
Human Trafficking Training
Certify completion of the one-time training required by R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
Complete at least one hour of implicit-bias training for each year of the licence cycle under R 338.7004(2).
Initial Cycle Exception
R 338.739(3) exempts a licensee licensed less than three years from that rule's continuing-education requirements.
Late Renewal
Apply within 60 days after expiration and pay both renewal and late-renewal fees; practice and title use may continue during those 60 days.
Record Retention
Keep renewal-compliance records for five years under R 338.739(2); implicit-bias documentation has its separate six-year retention rule.
Waiver
A continuing-education waiver under MCL 333.16205 must be requested before expiration under R 338.739(4).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure without examination for military members, veterans, and eligible dependents
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Competency
Demonstrate competency by training, experience, or another method prescribed by LARA in consultation with the Board. MCL 333.16186a expressly grants the licence without examination.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
Current Equivalent Licence
Hold a current licence in good standing in another state or country; LARA must find the issuing requirements substantially equivalent to or exceeding Michigan requirements.
English Proficiency
Demonstrate working English under R 338.7002b through English-medium education, 60 English-language college credits, a board-approved credential evaluation, or a listed English-language test meeting that rule's score and time limits. A language test is an applicant condition.
Human Trafficking Training
Complete the one-time human-trafficking identification training meeting R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
For initial issuance, complete at least two hours of qualifying implicit-bias training within the preceding five years under R 338.7004(1).
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Military Eligibility
Demonstrate status as an armed-forces or uniformed-services member, veteran, or qualifying dependent under MCL 333.16186a.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after a revocation carrying a five year waiting period
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Submit a MiPLUS reinstatement application, fees, criminal background check, and at least two notarized supporting affidavits according to the May 6, 2025 instructions.
Current Examination
MCL 333.16247(2) requires taking and passing the current licensure examination; R 338.734 identifies the currently offered MBLEx.
Hearing And Competency
After a hearing, prove good moral character, ability to practise safely, compliance with adopted reinstatement guidelines, and public-interest grounds by clear and convincing evidence under MCL 333.16247(1).
Individual Corrective Measures
Comply with the disciplinary order, corrective education, any required skills assessment, and the reinstatement guidelines. Any medical or other unspecified evaluation under MCL 333.16247(3) is an applicant condition.
Probation
Reinstatement includes one year of probation under Board conditions.
Waiting Period
The revoked licensee must be eligible under the five-year waiting period in MCL 333.16245(4); permanently revoked licences cannot be reinstated.
Reinstatement of a suspension for unpaid statutory instalment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Payment
The Board shall reinstate on payment of the instalment under MCL 333.16245(3). This finding is limited to that statutory route.
Suspension Ground
The licence was suspended for MCL 333.16221(j).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure: current other licence, lapsed less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Continuing Education
Complete 18 board-approved continuing-education hours in the applicable three-year period, including at least one hour of pain and symptom management and two hours of professional ethics or boundaries; comply with R 338.741 activity, duplication, and credit limits.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
English Proficiency
R 338.7002b applies its English standard to relicensure where the licence has lapsed for more than three years.
Fingerprints
R 338.738 requires fingerprints when lapsed for three years or more; its less-than-three-years columns do not require a new fingerprint submission.
Human Trafficking Training
Certify completion of the one-time training required by R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
Complete at least one hour of implicit-bias training for each year of the licence cycle under R 338.7004(2).
Lapse Duration
The licence has lapsed for less than three years at application.
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Other Current Licence
Currently licensed as a massage therapist in another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province.
Prior Michigan Licence
A Michigan massage therapist licence has lapsed beyond the late-renewal period.
Recent Continuing Education
Complete the required 18 approved continuing-education hours during the three years immediately preceding relicensure application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure: current other licence, lapsed seven years or more
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Continuing Education
Complete 18 board-approved continuing-education hours in the applicable three-year period, including at least one hour of pain and symptom management and two hours of professional ethics or boundaries; comply with R 338.741 activity, duplication, and credit limits.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
English Proficiency
R 338.7002b applies its English standard to relicensure where the licence has lapsed for more than three years.
Fingerprints
R 338.738 requires fingerprints when lapsed for three years or more; its less-than-three-years columns do not require a new fingerprint submission.
Human Trafficking Training
Certify completion of the one-time training required by R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
Complete at least one hour of implicit-bias training for each year of the licence cycle under R 338.7004(2).
Lapse Duration
The licence has lapsed for seven years or more at application.
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Other Current Licence
Currently licensed as a massage therapist in another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province.
Prior Michigan Licence
A Michigan massage therapist licence has lapsed beyond the late-renewal period.
Recent Continuing Education
Complete the required 18 approved continuing-education hours during the three years immediately preceding relicensure application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure: current other licence, lapsed three years but less than seven years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Continuing Education
Complete 18 board-approved continuing-education hours in the applicable three-year period, including at least one hour of pain and symptom management and two hours of professional ethics or boundaries; comply with R 338.741 activity, duplication, and credit limits.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
English Proficiency
R 338.7002b applies its English standard to relicensure where the licence has lapsed for more than three years.
Fingerprints
R 338.738 requires fingerprints when lapsed for three years or more; its less-than-three-years columns do not require a new fingerprint submission.
Human Trafficking Training
Certify completion of the one-time training required by R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
Complete at least one hour of implicit-bias training for each year of the licence cycle under R 338.7004(2).
Lapse Duration
The licence has lapsed for three years but less than seven years at application.
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Other Current Licence
Currently licensed as a massage therapist in another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province.
Prior Michigan Licence
A Michigan massage therapist licence has lapsed beyond the late-renewal period.
Recent Continuing Education
Complete the required 18 approved continuing-education hours during the three years immediately preceding relicensure application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure: no current other licence, lapsed less than three years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Continuing Education
Complete 18 board-approved continuing-education hours in the applicable three-year period, including at least one hour of pain and symptom management and two hours of professional ethics or boundaries; comply with R 338.741 activity, duplication, and credit limits.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
English Proficiency
R 338.7002b applies its English standard to relicensure where the licence has lapsed for more than three years.
Fingerprints
R 338.738 requires fingerprints when lapsed for three years or more; its less-than-three-years columns do not require a new fingerprint submission.
Human Trafficking Training
Certify completion of the one-time training required by R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
Complete at least one hour of implicit-bias training for each year of the licence cycle under R 338.7004(2).
Lapse Duration
The licence has lapsed for less than three years at application.
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Other Current Licence
Not currently licensed as a massage therapist in another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province.
Prior Michigan Licence
A Michigan massage therapist licence has lapsed beyond the late-renewal period.
Recent Continuing Education
Complete the required 18 approved continuing-education hours during the three years immediately preceding relicensure application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure: no current other licence, lapsed seven years or more
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Continuing Education
Complete 18 board-approved continuing-education hours in the applicable three-year period, including at least one hour of pain and symptom management and two hours of professional ethics or boundaries; comply with R 338.741 activity, duplication, and credit limits.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
English Proficiency
R 338.7002b applies its English standard to relicensure where the licence has lapsed for more than three years.
Exam Recency
Pass the approved licensing examination within the three years immediately preceding relicensure. The historical NCETMB cutoff in R 338.734 cannot meet this current three-year window.
Fingerprints
R 338.738 requires fingerprints when lapsed for three years or more; its less-than-three-years columns do not require a new fingerprint submission.
Historical NCETMBScore
R 338.734(b) accepts an NCETMB passing score only if taken before November 1, 2014. The retired licensing examination is prior-score evidence, not a current exam leaf. FSMTB's 2015 Annual Report confirms the NCBTMB licensing examinations ceased effective February 1, 2015.
Human Trafficking Training
Certify completion of the one-time training required by R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
Complete at least one hour of implicit-bias training for each year of the licence cycle under R 338.7004(2).
Lapse Duration
The licence has lapsed for seven years or more at application.
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Other Current Licence
Not currently licensed as a massage therapist in another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province.
Prior Michigan Licence
A Michigan massage therapist licence has lapsed beyond the late-renewal period.
Recent Continuing Education
Complete the required 18 approved continuing-education hours during the three years immediately preceding relicensure application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.
Relicensure: no current other licence, lapsed three years but less than seven years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Continuing Education
Complete 18 board-approved continuing-education hours in the applicable three-year period, including at least one hour of pain and symptom management and two hours of professional ethics or boundaries; comply with R 338.741 activity, duplication, and credit limits.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
English Proficiency
R 338.7002b applies its English standard to relicensure where the licence has lapsed for more than three years.
Fingerprints
R 338.738 requires fingerprints when lapsed for three years or more; its less-than-three-years columns do not require a new fingerprint submission.
Human Trafficking Training
Certify completion of the one-time training required by R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
Complete at least one hour of implicit-bias training for each year of the licence cycle under R 338.7004(2).
Lapse Duration
The licence has lapsed for three years but less than seven years at application.
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
Other Current Licence
Not currently licensed as a massage therapist in another state, country, jurisdiction, territory, or province.
Prior Michigan Licence
A Michigan massage therapist licence has lapsed beyond the late-renewal period.
Recent Continuing Education
Complete the required 18 approved continuing-education hours during the three years immediately preceding relicensure application.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Ordinary licence renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application and fee before expiration; answer the good-character and disciplinary questions and accept the renewal attestation.
Continuing Education
Complete 18 board-approved continuing-education hours in the applicable three-year period, including at least one hour of pain and symptom management and two hours of professional ethics or boundaries; comply with R 338.741 activity, duplication, and credit limits.
Cycle
The massage therapy licence cycle is three years from the issue date under MCL 333.17957(2) and R 338.7002.
Human Trafficking Training
Certify completion of the one-time training required by R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
Complete at least one hour of implicit-bias training for each year of the licence cycle under R 338.7004(2).
Initial Cycle Exception
R 338.739(3) exempts a licensee licensed less than three years from that rule's continuing-education requirements.
Record Retention
Keep renewal-compliance records for five years under R 338.739(2); implicit-bias documentation has its separate six-year retention rule.
Waiver
A continuing-education waiver under MCL 333.16205 must be requested before expiration under R 338.739(4).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Massage Therapist License

Statutorily authorized nonrenewable temporary licence pending examination or evaluation under MCL 333.16181(1).

Licensing authority: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs / Michigan Board of Massage Therapy · Application information

Temporary licensure pending the licensing examination
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Submit the completed MiPLUS application, supporting documents, and applicable application and licence fees.
Criminal History
Submit fingerprints for the state and federal criminal history check under MCL 333.16174(3); the licensing guide exempts relicensure applicants whose licence expired within the last three years.
Current Curriculum
For enrolment on or after January 10, 2020, R 338.722a requires 75 supervised-clinic hours, 200 assessment/theory/application hours, 125 body-systems hours, 40 pathology hours, 25 business/practice/ethics hours including at least 10 ethics hours, and 160 additional hours. Earlier enrolments follow R 338.722. R 338.724 governs the supervised clinic.
Education
Complete an approved supervised curriculum and submit direct official transcripts and the supervised-curriculum certification. R 338.722 requires 500 hours for enrolment before August 1, 2017 and 625 hours for enrolment from August 1, 2017 through January 9, 2020; R 338.722a requires 625 hours for enrolment on or after January 10, 2020.
English Proficiency
Demonstrate working English under R 338.7002b through English-medium education, 60 English-language college credits, a board-approved credential evaluation, or a listed English-language test meeting that rule's score and time limits. A language test is an applicant condition.
Exam Timing
The licence permits practice before the examination; MBLEx remains the identified currently offered licensure examination involved in this pathway.
Human Trafficking Training
Complete the one-time human-trafficking identification training meeting R 338.732.
Implicit Bias Training
For initial issuance, complete at least two hours of qualifying implicit-bias training within the preceding five years under R 338.7004(1).
Licence Verification
Disclose every health-profession licence, registration, or certification ever held and obtain issuing-agency verification; satisfy MCL 333.16174(2), including no pending proceedings or sanctions in force and consent to disciplinary-information release.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years of age.
Moral Character
Good moral character; provide explanations and rehabilitation evidence when required by the application.
School Approval
Use the Board-approved supervised curriculum under R 338.726, including a qualifying NCBTMB assigned school or a school with the specified recognized accreditation.
Social Security Number
Provide a Social Security number or the SSN affidavit where legally exempt or without a number.
Supervision
Practise only under a fully licensed massage therapist who does not hold a limited or temporary licence, as required by MCL 333.16181(3).
Temporary Eligibility
Complete all licensure requirements other than examination or another required evaluation. The Board may grant the temporary licence; it cannot grant one following a failed examination or evaluation or a suspended or revoked licence.
Temporary Term
Nonrenewable; valid for 18 months and automatically void if the applicant fails the examination or other required evaluation.

Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination

Provider
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards; administered at Pearson VUE (Pearson Professional Centers) test centers
Format
Computer-based, fixed-length computer-adaptive test (CAT) of multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer; offered in English and Spanish and administered year-round; results reported as PASS or FAIL, with a diagnostic report by content area for failing candidates
Exam questions
100 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
110 minutes for 100 questions within a two-hour (120-minute) appointment
Passing score
Criterion-referenced passing standard adopted by the FSMTB Board of Directors; results reported as PASS or FAIL
Exam fee
$265 MBLEx application fee
Examination outline
  • Anatomy & Physiology (11%)
    • A. System structure — Cardiovascular
    • A. System structure — Digestive
    • A. System structure — Endocrine
    • A. System structure — Integumentary
    • A. System structure — Lymphatic & Immune
    • A. System structure — Musculoskeletal
    • A. System structure — Nervous
    • A. System structure — Reproduction
    • A. System structure — Respiratory
    • A. System structure — Sensory
    • A. System structure — Urinary
    • B. System function — Cardiovascular
    • B. System function — Digestion
    • B. System function — Endocrine
    • B. System function — Integumentary
    • B. System function — Lymphatic & Immune
    • B. System function — Musculoskeletal
    • B. System function — Nervous
    • B. System function — Reproduction
    • B. System function — Respiratory
    • B. System function — Sensory
    • B. System function — Urinary
    • C. Tissue injury and repair
    • D. Concepts of energetic anatomy
  • Kinesiology (12%)
    • A. Skeletal muscle components & characteristics
    • B. Concepts of skeletal muscle contractions
    • C. Proprioceptors
    • D. Skeletal muscle locations, attachments (origins, insertions), & actions
    • E. Joint structure and function
    • F. Range of motion — Active
    • F. Range of motion — Passive
    • F. Range of motion — Resisted
  • Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations (14%)
    • A. Overview of Pathologies
    • B. Contraindications — Site specific
    • B. Contraindications — Pathology related
    • B. Contraindications — Special populations
    • B. Contraindications — Tools
    • B. Contraindications — Special applications
    • C. Areas of caution
    • D. Special populations
    • E. Classes of medications
  • Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation (15%)
    • A. Physiological effects of soft tissue manipulation
    • B. Psychological effects of soft tissue manipulation
    • C. Effects of soft tissue manipulation for specific client populations
    • D. Soft tissue techniques — Types of strokes
    • D. Soft tissue techniques — Sequence of application
    • E. Hot/cold applications
    • F. Overview of massage/bodywork modalities
  • Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning (17%)
    • A. Organization of a massage/bodywork session
    • B. Client consultation and evaluation — Verbal intake
    • B. Client consultation and evaluation — Health history form
    • C. Written data collection
    • D. Visual assessment — General
    • D. Visual assessment — Postural
    • D. Visual assessment — Gait
    • E. Palpation assessment
    • F. Range of motion assessment
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Ability to rule out contraindications
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Client treatment goal setting
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Evaluation of response to previous treatment
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Formulation of treatment strategy
  • Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations (16%)
    • A. Ethical behavior
    • B. Professional boundaries
    • C. Code of ethics violations
    • D. The therapeutic relationship
    • E. Dual relationships
    • F. Sexual misconduct
    • G. Massage/bodywork-related laws and regulations
    • H. Scope of practice
    • I. Professional communication
    • J. Confidentiality
    • K. Principles
  • Guidelines for Professional Practice (15%)
    • A. Proper and safe use of equipment and supplies
    • B. Practitioner hygiene
    • C. Sanitation and cleanliness
    • D. Safety practices — Facilities
    • D. Safety practices — Practitioner safety
    • D. Safety practices — Client safety
    • E. Practitioner care — Body mechanics
    • E. Practitioner care — Personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • E. Practitioner care — Self-care
    • E. Practitioner care — Injury prevention
    • F. Draping — Safe and appropriate
    • F. Draping — Communication
    • G. Business Practices — Business planning
    • G. Business Practices — Strategic planning
    • G. Business Practices — Office management
    • G. Business Practices — Marketing
    • G. Business Practices — Hiring/Interviewing
    • G. Business Practices — Documentation & Records — Client records
    • G. Business Practices — Documentation & Records — Business records
    • H. Healthcare and business terminology
Examination sources