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South Carolina Massage Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

US-SC · License preparation

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Massage Therapist License

Individual license. Inactive status and reinstatement retain this identity. Emergency practice under § 40-30-90(A)(5) and Regulation 77-104 is a notice-based exemption with an existing out-of-jurisdiction license, not issuance of a South Carolina license. Expired provisional licenses in the FAQ establish ordinary-license re-entry, not current provisional issuance.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy · Application information

Licensure by endorsement
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Completed application and $200 fee, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, notarized signature/photo and lawful-presence affidavits; direct exam verification and licensure verification from every jurisdiction ever licensed; application valid one year from receipt.
Board Discretion
§ 40-30-117 permits Board to require additional information or Chapter 30 qualifications; endorsement discretionary.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
Education Equivalence
Regulation 77-106 permits equivalence demonstrated by passing a Board-approved national exam.
English
Native English or effective proficiency to Board satisfaction; Board may require TOEFL, TSE or an approved proficiency service at applicant expense. Language tests are conditions.
Exam Waiver
FAQ and endorsement form accept MBLEx or the specified pre-November 2014 historical score; applicants satisfying the historical alternative may be excused from MBLEx.
Historical Exam Score
NCBTMB examination taken before November 1, 2014 acceptable as prior evidence. Current BCETMB version is not a substitute for the historical licensure exam.
License Held
Current active unrestricted massage therapy license in good standing in another U.S. state, DC or territory; licensing standards at initial licensure at least substantially equivalent.
Placement of license in inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Practice
No practice while inactive; CE not needed to place on hold.
Request
Written Board request; pay applicable inactive fee.
Term
Indefinite with biennial renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-05-13.

Initial licensure by examination
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Age
At least 18.
Application
Completed Board application, current 2-by-2-inch photo and $150 fee; direct education and exam verification, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, notarized signature/photo and lawful-presence affidavits.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
English
Native English or effective proficiency to Board satisfaction; Board may require TOEFL, TSE or an approved proficiency service at applicant expense. Language tests are conditions.
General Education
High school diploma, GED or Board-approved equivalent.
Massage Education
650-hour approved program at an approved school, or substantially equivalent approved program; school affidavit of required subjects/hours, transcript when requested.
Other Approved Examination
Statute permits any other Board-approved examination without identifying another current examination; the open remainder is a condition.
Initial licensure through a qualifying Board approved apprenticeship
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Age
At least 18.
Application
Completed Board application, current 2-by-2-inch photo and $150 fee; direct education and exam verification, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, notarized signature/photo and lawful-presence affidavits.
Apprenticeship
Conditional on a Board-approved DOL-registered or industry-recognized apprenticeship with similar scope. § 40-1-77(J)(1) excludes an entity without a Board-approved program; this statute does not prove a particular massage program is approved. Other initial requirements apply equally; examination, scores, fees and duration subject to statutory limits.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
English
Native English or effective proficiency to Board satisfaction; Board may require TOEFL, TSE or an approved proficiency service at applicant expense. Language tests are conditions.
General Education
High school diploma, GED or Board-approved equivalent.
Other Approved Examination
Statute permits any other Board-approved examination without identifying another current examination; the open remainder is a condition.
Initial licensure with transitional education qualifications
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Age
At least 18.
Application
Completed Board application, current 2-by-2-inch photo and $150 fee; direct education and exam verification, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, notarized signature/photo and lawful-presence affidavits.
Board Implementation
FAQ states: "Massage graduates who completed school prior to May 26, 2024, may apply for licensure with 500-hour transcripts." Its narrower graduation wording is shown; Regulation 77-101 also names enrolled students.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
English
Native English or effective proficiency to Board satisfaction; Board may require TOEFL, TSE or an approved proficiency service at applicant expense. Language tests are conditions.
General Education
High school diploma, GED or Board-approved equivalent.
Massage Education
Regulation 77-101 permits students graduated from or enrolled before its one-year implementation transition to use former educational requirements or new requirements; education remains subject to § 40-30-110(A)(2) substantial equivalence.
Other Approved Examination
Statute permits any other Board-approved examination without identifying another current examination; the open remainder is a condition.
Initial licensure with military education, training and experience
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Age
At least 18.
Application
Completed Board application, current 2-by-2-inch photo and $150 fee; direct education and exam verification, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, notarized signature/photo and lawful-presence affidavits.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
English
Native English or effective proficiency to Board satisfaction; Board may require TOEFL, TSE or an approved proficiency service at applicant expense. Language tests are conditions.
General Education
High school diploma, GED or Board-approved equivalent.
Massage Education
Board determines how military education meets § 40-30-110(A)(2).
Military Training
Board must accept Armed Forces, Reserves, National Guard or Naval Militia training/education/experience most favorably toward qualifications, subject to satisfactory evidence. § 40-1-640 does not automatically waive testing or other requirements.
Other Approved Examination
Statute permits any other Board-approved examination without identifying another current examination; the open remainder is a condition.
Reinstatement after suspension for dishonored fee payment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Payment
Reinstate on required fee/penalties payment; suspension effective ten days after certified notice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-05-13.

Reinstatement after voluntary surrender
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Approval
No practice or establishment operation until Board reinstatement; § 40-1-150 requires majority Board vote.
Conditions
Board may impose conditions and continue discipline; no identified professional examination prescribed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-05-13.

Expedited endorsement for military spouse
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Completed application and $200 fee, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, notarized signature/photo and lawful-presence affidavits; direct exam verification and licensure verification from every jurisdiction ever licensed; application valid one year from receipt.
Board Discretion
§ 40-30-117 permits Board to require additional information or Chapter 30 qualifications; endorsement discretionary.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
Education Equivalence
Regulation 77-106 permits equivalence demonstrated by passing a Board-approved national exam.
English
Native English or effective proficiency to Board satisfaction; Board may require TOEFL, TSE or an approved proficiency service at applicant expense. Language tests are conditions.
Exam Waiver
FAQ and endorsement form accept MBLEx or the specified pre-November 2014 historical score; applicants satisfying the historical alternative may be excused from MBLEx.
Historical Exam Score
NCBTMB examination taken before November 1, 2014 acceptable as prior evidence. Current BCETMB version is not a substitute for the historical licensure exam.
License Held
Current active unrestricted massage therapy license in good standing in another U.S. state, DC or territory; licensing standards at initial licensure at least substantially equivalent.
Military Spouse
Married to and living with active-duty Armed Forces member relocated and stationed in SC under official orders; expedited request form, orders, marriage evidence and all license verifications. Expedition preserves endorsement qualifications.
Reactivation from inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Completed Board-approved application.
Continuing Education
Six hours per inactive year.
Criminal Records
Updated fingerprint-supported SLED/FBI checks reported to Board.
Practice
No practice until active reinstatement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-05-26.

New licensure after automatic cancellation
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Age
At least 18.
Application
Completed Board application, current 2-by-2-inch photo and $150 fee; direct education and exam verification, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, notarized signature/photo and lawful-presence affidavits.
Board CEInstruction
Applications/Forms directs mailing initial application with 12 CEUs when lapsed a year or longer.
Cancellation
Lapsed over one year without reinstatement application; new application meeting current education and other qualifications.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
English
Native English or effective proficiency to Board satisfaction; Board may require TOEFL, TSE or an approved proficiency service at applicant expense. Language tests are conditions.
General Education
High school diploma, GED or Board-approved equivalent.
Other Approved Examination
Statute permits any other Board-approved examination without identifying another current examination; the open remainder is a condition.
Reentry Examination
Reinstatement form requires passing MBLEx for re-entry; FAQ says retaking and passing.
New ordinary licensure after expired provisional license
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Age
At least 18.
Application
Completed Board application, current 2-by-2-inch photo and $150 fee; direct education and exam verification, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, notarized signature/photo and lawful-presence affidavits.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
English
Native English or effective proficiency to Board satisfaction; Board may require TOEFL, TSE or an approved proficiency service at applicant expense. Language tests are conditions.
General Education
High school diploma, GED or Board-approved equivalent.
Other Approved Examination
Statute permits any other Board-approved examination without identifying another current examination; the open remainder is a condition.
Prior Status
FAQ forbids reinstating expired provisional license; ordinary-license re-entry requires full qualifications including 650 hours at massage school and MBLEx. This does not establish current provisional issuance.
Reinstatement of lapsed license before cancellation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Board application, $210 fee, valid ID, Social Security card, legal-name evidence, recent photo, notarized lawful-presence affidavit.
Board Additional Requirements
Board may impose further requirements; no identified further profession examination is specified for this route.
Continuing Education
12 CE hours.
Criminal Records
State/national fingerprint checks following Board instructions.
Eligibility
Existing lapsed license not automatically canceled; § 40-30-180(C)(1) cancels only after more than one year without a submitted reinstatement application.
Implementation Timing
Applications/Forms says expired less than one year and directs initial application plus 12 CEUs after a year; statutory cancellation after more than one year conditioned on no application controls.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-05-13.

Biennial active license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
12 hours per biennium beginning second renewal; first renewal exempt. Board-approved courses reported to CE Broker. Active military service exempts CE under § 40-1-610 and fees for calendar year of active service under § 40-1-620.
Discipline Disclosure
Report discipline; previously unreported discipline may require supporting information and paper renewal.
Renewal
June 30 in even years; $75 fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-05-13.

Biennial renewal of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Not needed for inactive renewal; catch-up CE for reactivation.
Practice
No practice while inactive.
Renewal
Every even year by June 30; renewal resource states $75 fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2023-05-13.

Temporary Professional License — Massage Therapist (Military Spouse)

Military spouse temporary professional license under § 40-1-630; all state-law licensure requirements retained; one year, nonrenewable.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy · Application information

Temporary licensure for an active duty military spouse
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Application
Board application, marriage proof, official orders, existing license and good-standing certificate, fingerprint reports.
Criminal Records
Fingerprint-supported SLED and FBI checks reported to Board at applicant expense; follow Board fingerprint instructions.
Existing License
Valid good-standing license from another state, DC, U.S. possession/territory or foreign jurisdiction, with good-standing certificate. Foreign or other jurisdiction exams are conditions.
Military Spouse
Married to active-duty Armed Forces member stationed in SC under official orders.
State Requirements
§ 40-1-630(A) retains all state-law licensure requirements. Board determines applicable § 40-30-110 or § 40-30-117 qualifications; historical NCBTMB exam before November 1, 2014 may satisfy endorsement alternative.
Term
Expires one year from issue; nonrenewable.

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