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How to get a massage therapist license in Illinois. 600 training hours required. MBLEx required. Government fees: $370+. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Massage Therapist
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
79% of data points are verified against official sources. 5 fields based on preliminary research. 1 field needs verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Licensed
Regulation
600 hrs
Training Hours
Licensed Massage Therapist
License Title
MBLEx
Exam Required
$370+
Total Fees
25 hrs
CE Required
Illinois requires state licensing to practice massage therapy. You must complete approved training, pass the required exam, and obtain a license before practicing.
Minimum Age
Education Level
Background Check
Fingerprinting
CPR Certification
Liability Insurance
Required Training Hours
600 hours
Clinical / Hands-On Hours
hours
Program Approval
Approved massage therapy program
Curriculum Topics
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
Administered by FSMTB
Other Accepted Exams
Passing Score
Scaled score — pass/fail
Exam Fee
$265
MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee License fee | $175 |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Exam Fee MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB | $265 |
Total Government Fees License ($175) + MBLEx ($265) + fingerprint fee | $370+ |
Can Use Title “LMT”
YesModalities Allowed
Restrictions
Accepts Out-of-State License
MBLEx Score Transfers
Additional Requirements for Reciprocity
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Illinois requires 25 CE hours per renewal period, including a mandatory 1 hour in domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Fingerprints must be submitted within 60 days prior to application.
25 CE hours required per biennium including 1 hour of domestic violence/sexual assault.
Fingerprints must be submitted within 60 days before application.
Renewal occurs in the last quarter of even-numbered years.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#23 of 51
Salary
#17 of 51
Cost
#29 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Massage Therapists (SOC 31-9011)
Entry Level
$46,450
25th percentile
Median
$60,640
+5% vs. national avg ($57,950)Experienced
$72,260
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
4,600 employed in this state
Note: Massage therapist income varies widely based on practice setting (spa, clinic, private practice). Self-employed therapists' earnings may differ significantly from these figures.
Source: BLS OEWS – Massage Therapists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+13.9%
High DemandNew Jobs
+18,600
over 10 years
Annual Openings
20,300
per year (avg.)
133,200 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 30–58 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the MBLEx licensing exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Illinois requires 600 hours of training to become a licensed massage therapist. Visit the state board for approved providers and application details.
Contact the state board for a list of approved education providers.