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Massage Therapist
Governing Authority
New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Licensed
Regulation
1000 hrs
Training Hours
Licensed Massage Therapist (massage therapist)
License Title
No
Exam Required
$303+
Total Fees
36 hrs
CE Required
Get the New York Massage Therapist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20New York 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
Not sure if you need a massage therapist license? Check whether your state requires one.
Required Training Hours
1000 hours
Clinical / Hands-On Hours
hours
Program Approval
Approved massage therapy program
Curriculum Topics
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Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
State-Specific Exam
New York State Massage Therapy Examination
Passing Score
N/A
Exam Fee
$265
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the MBLEx.
Overall licensing difficulty: 6/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Browse study guides
Massage Therapy Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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New York State Massage Therapy Examination
Passing Score
N/A
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $265Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the New York State Massage Therapy Examination.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — MBLEx
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Study guides and practice tests for the MBLEx licensing exam.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $108 (licensure and first registration combined) |
License Fee | Included — $108 covers both licensure and first registration |
Exam Fee | $265 |
Total Government Fees Estimated total; does not include education costs | $303+ |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Can Use Title “LMT”
YesModalities Allowed
Restrictions
Accepts Out-of-State License
MBLEx Score Transfers
Additional Requirements for Reciprocity
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New York with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Regulatory Board
New York requires 1,000 hours of education and does NOT accept the MBLEx. Instead, it administers its own state exam offered only twice per year (January and August). A limited permit (valid 1 year) is available while awaiting exam results.
New York requires 1,000 hours — one of the highest in the nation.
NY does NOT accept the MBLEx; requires its own state exam offered twice per year.
36 CE hours per 3-year renewal period.
Limited permit available for those who completed education but not yet passed exam.
200 hours of anatomy, physiology, and neurology (50 hours minimum in neurology).
Massage Therapist requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (you) | $303+ | 46–85 wks | |
| Connecticut | $574.75 | 36–68 wks | → |
| Massachusetts | $420+ | 32–62 wks | → |
| New Jersey | $315+ | 26–52 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $295 | 30–58 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in New York
See how New York compares: Massage Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare massage therapist requirements across all states →
Massage Therapist licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure massage therapist is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does New York compare to other states for massage therapist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your massage therapist license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New York.
Massage Therapist Schools in New York
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to New York? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Massage Therapist license to New York →
Transfer your Massage Therapist license from New York to: Connecticut → | Massachusetts → | New Jersey → | Pennsylvania → | Vermont →
New York requires 1000 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.