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Pennsylvania Massage Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

US-PA · License preparation

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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.

Licensed Massage Therapist

Ordinary massage-therapist license, including examination, reciprocity, Act 41 endorsement and statutory military pathways; exemptions are governed by section 13 of the Massage Therapy Law.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy · Application information

Ordinary Licensure Following Restricted License Term

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Submit a completed signed application through PALS and pay the applicable fee.
Application updates
Supply missing documentation within six months of application execution and promptly report name, address and other application changes as required by section 20.21.
Child abuse training
Complete three hours of Board-approved child-abuse recognition and reporting education for initial licensure.
Cpr
Maintain Board-approved hands-on adult CPR certification, valid for at least six months after application.
Criminal history
Provide criminal-history reports for every jurisdiction of residence during the preceding five years, dated within six months of application; disclose investigation, discipline, surrender, charges and convictions as required by section 20.21(d). Criminal-conviction review is governed by 63 Pa.C.S. section 3113, which supersedes contrary moral-character disqualification provisions except the specified drug-trafficking rule.
Identification
Provide legal identification.
Law acknowledgment
Verify that the applicant has read, understood and will comply with the Massage Therapy Law and Chapter 20.
Massage education
Complete a Board-approved 600-hour in-class postsecondary massage program, including 175 hours in anatomy/physiology/kinesiology/pathology and HIV risks, 250 hours in massage/bodywork including sanitation and safety, 25 hours in ethics/business/law, and 150 related hours including CPR; externship and indirectly supervised practice do not count under section 20.11.
Ordinary qualifications
The Board issues an ordinary license only if the restricted holder meets all other qualifications of the applicable practice act under section 3112.1(e), including the approved examination requirement of section 5(a)(4).
Practice fitness
Disclose inability to practice safely due to substances, illness, or mental or physical conditions; the Board may require a Professional Health Monitoring Program evaluation under section 20.22(b).
Prior discontinued scores
NCETM, NCETMB and their NESL option ceased being offered November 1, 2014 under the Board notice. Prior passing results remain evidence under sections 20.23 and 20.25 and may be released by NCBTMB; they are not current exam leaves. BCETMB is a different examination and is not substituted for those names.
Restricted term
At the end of the one-to-two-year restricted term, the supervising licensee must report compliance with all imposed conditions within 30 days.
School records
Have the school send official transcripts directly to the Board; record-depository transcripts may be accepted for closed schools.
Secondary education
Have a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Supervised practice
The restricted form entails Board-imposed scope/location restrictions, reasonable licensed supervision, supervisor-change reporting and other conditions; a new misdemeanor/felony conviction or noncompliance triggers immediate revocation.
Court Ordered Reinstatement of Revoked License
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Court order
Requires an order from a court of competent jurisdiction under the exception in section 10.
Order terms
Comply with the court's order. This is distinct from reapplication after five years, which must satisfy all licensing requirements; section 10 identifies no examination for the court-order exception.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by Endorsement under Act 41 / 63 Pa.C.S. section 3111
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board review
The Board evaluates endorsement case by case and determines remaining administrative and background requirements. Section 3111 does not identify any examination as a requirement of this pathway.
Competency
Demonstrate competency through Board-determined methods, including continuing education or practice for at least two of the preceding five years. The Board's massage FAQ specifies active licensure and practice for at least two of the last five years for case-by-case Act 41 consideration when existing reciprocity or endorsement options do not provide licensure.
Fees
Pay applicable fees.
Good standing
Be in good standing without disqualifying acts or discipline, unless the Board determines an act or discipline should not prevent licensure.
Licensure elsewhere
Hold a current license, certificate, registration or permit in a jurisdiction whose requirements the Board determines substantially equivalent to or exceeding Pennsylvania's.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by Examination

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Submit a completed signed application through PALS and pay the applicable fee.
Application updates
Supply missing documentation within six months of application execution and promptly report name, address and other application changes as required by section 20.21.
Child abuse training
Complete three hours of Board-approved child-abuse recognition and reporting education for initial licensure.
Cpr
Maintain Board-approved hands-on adult CPR certification, valid for at least six months after application.
Criminal history
Provide criminal-history reports for every jurisdiction of residence during the preceding five years, dated within six months of application; disclose investigation, discipline, surrender, charges and convictions as required by section 20.21(d). Criminal-conviction review is governed by 63 Pa.C.S. section 3113, which supersedes contrary moral-character disqualification provisions except the specified drug-trafficking rule.
Identification
Provide legal identification.
Law acknowledgment
Verify that the applicant has read, understood and will comply with the Massage Therapy Law and Chapter 20.
Massage education
Complete a Board-approved 600-hour in-class postsecondary massage program, including 175 hours in anatomy/physiology/kinesiology/pathology and HIV risks, 250 hours in massage/bodywork including sanitation and safety, 25 hours in ethics/business/law, and 150 related hours including CPR; externship and indirectly supervised practice do not count under section 20.11.
Practice fitness
Disclose inability to practice safely due to substances, illness, or mental or physical conditions; the Board may require a Professional Health Monitoring Program evaluation under section 20.22(b).
Prior discontinued scores
NCETM, NCETMB and their NESL option ceased being offered November 1, 2014 under the Board notice. Prior passing results remain evidence under sections 20.23 and 20.25 and may be released by NCBTMB; they are not current exam leaves. BCETMB is a different examination and is not substituted for those names.
School records
Have the school send official transcripts directly to the Board; record-depository transcripts may be accepted for closed schools.
Secondary education
Have a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Military Applicant Licensure with Educational Substitution

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Submit a completed signed application through PALS and pay the applicable fee.
Application updates
Supply missing documentation within six months of application execution and promptly report name, address and other application changes as required by section 20.21.
Child abuse training
Complete three hours of Board-approved child-abuse recognition and reporting education for initial licensure.
Cpr
Maintain Board-approved hands-on adult CPR certification, valid for at least six months after application.
Criminal history
Provide criminal-history reports for every jurisdiction of residence during the preceding five years, dated within six months of application; disclose investigation, discipline, surrender, charges and convictions as required by section 20.21(d). Criminal-conviction review is governed by 63 Pa.C.S. section 3113, which supersedes contrary moral-character disqualification provisions except the specified drug-trafficking rule.
Education substitution
The Board may license an applicant lacking the ordinary educational requirement if the applicant meets all noneducational requirements, passes all licensure exams, has actively practiced for at least two of the preceding five years and meets section 3304.
Fee waiver
Initial licensure fees are waived for a military spouse relocating because of military orders under section 3306.
Identification
Provide legal identification.
Law acknowledgment
Verify that the applicant has read, understood and will comply with the Massage Therapy Law and Chapter 20.
Military credit
Relevant service experience and official duties count toward practice; substantially equivalent military training and education receive credit under section 3304. The Board's massage crosswalk states that it identifies no related military occupations.
Military status
Submit documentation establishing servicemember, veteran or military-spouse status as defined in section 3301.
Practice fitness
Disclose inability to practice safely due to substances, illness, or mental or physical conditions; the Board may require a Professional Health Monitoring Program evaluation under section 20.22(b).
Prior discontinued scores
NCETM, NCETMB and their NESL option ceased being offered November 1, 2014 under the Board notice. Prior passing results remain evidence under sections 20.23 and 20.25 and may be released by NCBTMB; they are not current exam leaves. BCETMB is a different examination and is not substituted for those names.
School records
Have the school send official transcripts directly to the Board; record-depository transcripts may be accepted for closed schools.
Post Deployment Reactivation Before Five Years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Accompanying spouse
Also applies to an accompanying military spouse under section 3305(d).
Application
Submit the reactivation application through PALS, the applicable reactivation and current renewal fees, and an affidavit of nonpractice in Pennsylvania.
Ce extension
Continuing education or continued competency requirements may be completed within the statutory extension up to six months after deployment, if all other renewal requirements are met.
Continuing education
Submit certificates for the preceding biennial period; the Board requires all 24 hours, including required ethics and child-abuse content, completed no more than two years before reactivation.
Cpr
Provide current CPR certification.
Deployment
The renewal period occurred during deployment outside Pennsylvania; request reactivation within one month after deployment ends. The Board may reactivate without penalty.
Education changes
The Act prohibits denial of active status solely because initial educational requirements increased after original licensure.
Prohibited practice
Inactive and expired licensees may not practice in Pennsylvania; unlicensed practice may result in late fees and discipline.
Time since expiration
Fewer than five years of inactive status or expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Post Deployment Reactivation After Five Years or Longer

At least one of the following alternatives:

Accompanying spouse
Also applies to the accompanying military spouse under section 3305(d).
Application
Submit the reactivation application through PALS, the applicable reactivation and current renewal fees, and an affidavit of nonpractice in Pennsylvania.
Board faq difference
The Board FAQ says: A licensee, whose license has been inactive/expired for 5 or more years, may be required to meet competency requirements as outlined in the Board’s regulations at Section 20.31(j). Continued competency is defined as licensed practice in another state for at least 2 of the last 5 years or retaking the exam. The regulation's continuous-active-practice requirement controls this condition; the FAQ is retained for applicants to see the Board's stated implementation.
Competence alternative
Demonstrate continuous active practice in another jurisdiction during the preceding five years OR achieve a passing score on an examination approved for entry into Pennsylvania practice under section 20.31(j). MBLEx is the registered currently offered examination; proof of active practice can excuse retesting.
Competency extension
Section 3305(c) extends continuing education or continued competency requirements up to six months after deployment if all other renewal requirements are met; it does not identify a different examination.
Continuing education
Submit certificates for the preceding biennial period; the Board requires all 24 hours, including required ethics and child-abuse content, completed no more than two years before reactivation.
Cpr
Provide current CPR certification.
Deployment
The renewal period occurred during deployment outside Pennsylvania; request reactivation within one month after deployment ends. Section 3305(b) permits penalty relief.
Education changes
The Act prohibits denial of active status solely because initial educational requirements increased after original licensure.
Prohibited practice
Inactive and expired licensees may not practice in Pennsylvania; unlicensed practice may result in late fees and discipline.
Time since expiration
Five years or longer of inactive status or expiration, applying the statutory section 6(c) boundary.
Renewal Submission Before Military Deployment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Accompanying spouse
These provisions also apply to a military spouse residing with the servicemember during deployment.
Application
Apply online or on the Board form and pay the current biennial renewal fee.
Ce extension
Section 3305(c) requires an extension of continuing education or continued competency requirements up to six months after the end of deployment if all other renewal requirements are met.
Ce records
Keep completion certificates for five years; request a documented illness, emergency or hardship waiver or extension at least 60 days before expiration.
Continuing education
Complete 24 Board-approved hours for the preceding biennial period, including at least 16 contact hours, four ethics hours and two approved child-abuse recognition/reporting hours. CPR recertification does not count as continuing education.
Cpr
Submit proof of current CPR certification.
Cycle
Licenses expire January 31 of odd-numbered years; no practice after expiration until renewal.
Deployment
A servicemember scheduled for deployment outside Pennsylvania during renewal may submit renewal requirements before deployment; the Board reviews and reports deficiencies and processes renewal when the cycle opens.
First renewal
The Board FAQ exempts licenses first issued during the biennial period from that period's general CE requirement, except the two child-abuse hours.
Law acknowledgment
Verify that the licensee has read, understood and will comply with the Act and Chapter 20.
Reporting
Report other-jurisdiction licensure and disciplinary action and criminal proceedings; the current statutory notice obligations in 63 Pa.C.S. section 3104 govern sanctions and criminal dispositions.
Status
Hold an existing Pennsylvania massage-therapist license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation After Five Years or Longer

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Submit the reactivation application through PALS, the applicable reactivation and current renewal fees, and an affidavit of nonpractice in Pennsylvania.
Board faq difference
The Board FAQ says: A licensee, whose license has been inactive/expired for 5 or more years, may be required to meet competency requirements as outlined in the Board’s regulations at Section 20.31(j). Continued competency is defined as licensed practice in another state for at least 2 of the last 5 years or retaking the exam. The regulation's continuous-active-practice requirement controls this condition; the FAQ is retained for applicants to see the Board's stated implementation.
Competence alternative
Demonstrate continuous active practice in another jurisdiction during the preceding five years OR achieve a passing score on an examination approved for entry into Pennsylvania practice under section 20.31(j). MBLEx is the registered currently offered examination; proof of active practice can excuse retesting.
Continuing education
Submit certificates for the preceding biennial period; the Board requires all 24 hours, including required ethics and child-abuse content, completed no more than two years before reactivation.
Cpr
Provide current CPR certification.
Education changes
The Act prohibits denial of active status solely because initial educational requirements increased after original licensure.
Prohibited practice
Inactive and expired licensees may not practice in Pennsylvania; unlicensed practice may result in late fees and discipline.
Time since expiration
Five years or longer of inactive status or expiration, applying the statutory section 6(c) boundary.
Reactivation of Inactive or Expired License Before Five Years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the reactivation application through PALS, the applicable reactivation and current renewal fees, and an affidavit of nonpractice in Pennsylvania.
Continuing education
Submit certificates for the preceding biennial period; the Board requires all 24 hours, including required ethics and child-abuse content, completed no more than two years before reactivation.
Cpr
Provide current CPR certification.
Education changes
The Act prohibits denial of active status solely because initial educational requirements increased after original licensure.
Prohibited practice
Inactive and expired licensees may not practice in Pennsylvania; unlicensed practice may result in late fees and discipline.
Time since expiration
Fewer than five consecutive years of inactive status or expiration. Section 6(c) requires continued competence at five years or longer. Although section 20.31(g) says within five years, the statutory boundary governs at exactly five years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication Following Revocation

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Submit a completed signed application through PALS and pay the applicable fee.
Application updates
Supply missing documentation within six months of application execution and promptly report name, address and other application changes as required by section 20.21.
Child abuse training
Complete three hours of Board-approved child-abuse recognition and reporting education for initial licensure.
Cpr
Maintain Board-approved hands-on adult CPR certification, valid for at least six months after application.
Criminal history
Provide criminal-history reports for every jurisdiction of residence during the preceding five years, dated within six months of application; disclose investigation, discipline, surrender, charges and convictions as required by section 20.21(d). Criminal-conviction review is governed by 63 Pa.C.S. section 3113, which supersedes contrary moral-character disqualification provisions except the specified drug-trafficking rule.
Identification
Provide legal identification.
Law acknowledgment
Verify that the applicant has read, understood and will comply with the Massage Therapy Law and Chapter 20.
Massage education
Complete a Board-approved 600-hour in-class postsecondary massage program, including 175 hours in anatomy/physiology/kinesiology/pathology and HIV risks, 250 hours in massage/bodywork including sanitation and safety, 25 hours in ethics/business/law, and 150 related hours including CPR; externship and indirectly supervised practice do not count under section 20.11.
Practice fitness
Disclose inability to practice safely due to substances, illness, or mental or physical conditions; the Board may require a Professional Health Monitoring Program evaluation under section 20.22(b).
Prior discontinued scores
NCETM, NCETMB and their NESL option ceased being offered November 1, 2014 under the Board notice. Prior passing results remain evidence under sections 20.23 and 20.25 and may be released by NCBTMB; they are not current exam leaves. BCETMB is a different examination and is not substituted for those names.
Prior scores
The sources impose no separate freshness limit for approved passing exam results; whether additional proof is requested is an applicant condition.
School records
Have the school send official transcripts directly to the Board; record-depository transcripts may be accepted for closed schools.
Secondary education
Have a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Waiting period
A person with a revoked license may reapply after at least five years and must meet all licensing requirements under section 10.
Licensure by Reciprocity

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Submit a completed signed application through PALS and pay the applicable fee.
Application updates
Supply missing documentation within six months of application execution and promptly report name, address and other application changes as required by section 20.21.
Child abuse training
Complete three hours of Board-approved child-abuse recognition and reporting education for initial licensure.
Cpr
Maintain Board-approved hands-on adult CPR certification, valid for at least six months after application.
Criminal history
Provide criminal-history reports for every jurisdiction of residence during the preceding five years, dated within six months of application; disclose investigation, discipline, surrender, charges and convictions as required by section 20.21(d). Criminal-conviction review is governed by 63 Pa.C.S. section 3113, which supersedes contrary moral-character disqualification provisions except the specified drug-trafficking rule.
Identification
Provide legal identification.
Law acknowledgment
Verify that the applicant has read, understood and will comply with the Massage Therapy Law and Chapter 20.
Licensure elsewhere
Hold a massage-therapist or similar-practice license or certification in a jurisdiction affording reciprocal treatment, with qualifications equal to or exceeding Pennsylvania's under section 8. Have every licensing authority verify good standing and disciplinary history.
Practice fitness
Disclose inability to practice safely due to substances, illness, or mental or physical conditions; the Board may require a Professional Health Monitoring Program evaluation under section 20.22(b).
Prior discontinued scores
NCETM, NCETMB and their NESL option ceased being offered November 1, 2014 under the Board notice. Prior passing results remain evidence under sections 20.23 and 20.25 and may be released by NCBTMB; they are not current exam leaves. BCETMB is a different examination and is not substituted for those names.
Prior examination or equivalent qualifications
Section 20.25(d) requires evidence of a passed approved exam or original licensure based on qualifications equivalent to section 5(b) existing practitioners. Original experience, training and discontinued examination results are applicant conditions. Section 8 permits licensing without further examination; that does not remove a currently offered exam whose prior passage the implementing rule accepts.
School recognition
Have the school verify recognition by its licensing authority, national accreditation, or authorization by its education department.
School records
Have the school send official transcripts directly to the Board; record-depository transcripts may be accepted for closed schools.
Biennial Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply online or on the Board form and pay the current biennial renewal fee.
Ce records
Keep completion certificates for five years; request a documented illness, emergency or hardship waiver or extension at least 60 days before expiration.
Continuing education
Complete 24 Board-approved hours for the preceding biennial period, including at least 16 contact hours, four ethics hours and two approved child-abuse recognition/reporting hours. CPR recertification does not count as continuing education.
Cpr
Submit proof of current CPR certification.
Cycle
Licenses expire January 31 of odd-numbered years; no practice after expiration until renewal.
First renewal
The Board FAQ exempts licenses first issued during the biennial period from that period's general CE requirement, except the two child-abuse hours.
Law acknowledgment
Verify that the licensee has read, understood and will comply with the Act and Chapter 20.
Reporting
Report other-jurisdiction licensure and disciplinary action and criminal proceedings; the current statutory notice obligations in 63 Pa.C.S. section 3104 govern sanctions and criminal dispositions.
Status
Hold an existing Pennsylvania massage-therapist license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration of Suspended License
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board order
The Board may restore a suspended license and impose any disciplinary or corrective measure it could originally impose under section 9(b)(6).
Individual measures
Comply with the restoration order and any required care, counseling or treatment. A medical fitness examination is an applicant condition, not an assessment of this profession. The cited restoration provision identifies no profession examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

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