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Massage Therapist
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
750 hrs
Training Hours
Licensed Massage Therapist
License Title
MBLEx
Exam Required
$586
Total Fees
No
CE Required
Get the Ohio Massage Therapist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Ohio 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
750 hours
Clinical / Hands-On Hours
hours
Program Approval
Approved massage therapy program
Curriculum Topics
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Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
Administered by FSMTB
Passing Score
Scaled score — pass/fail
Exam Fee
$265
MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the MBLEx.
Overall licensing difficulty: 3/100
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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MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
Scaled score — pass/fail
Format
Computer-based, multiple choice
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 MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing 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 Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with State Medical Board of Ohio for the latest fee schedule | $150 |
License Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with State Medical Board of Ohio for the latest fee schedule | Included |
Exam Fee MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB | $265 |
Background Check Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with State Medical Board of Ohio for the latest fee schedule | $46 |
Total Government Fees Estimated total; does not include education costs | $586 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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 Ohio with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Regulatory Board
Ohio has the distinction of regulating massage therapy longer than any other state (since 1915). Despite this long history, Ohio currently has no continuing education requirement for license renewal, though this may change. The application fee is $150. Licenses renew every 2 years. 750 hours of pre-licensing education are required. Neighboring states include Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, each with their own massage therapist requirements.
Ohio has regulated massage therapy since 1915 — the longest of any state.
No continuing education currently required for renewal. Ohio does not impose this requirement on massage therapists at the state level.
BCI ($22) and FBI ($24) background checks both required.
2 references/certifications of recommendation required.
Ohio accepts out-of-state massage therapist credentials under certain conditions. Contact State Medical Board of Ohio for reciprocity requirements and documentation.
Massage Therapist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Ohio
See how Ohio 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 →
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How does Ohio 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 Ohio.
Massage Therapist Schools in Ohio
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Ohio? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Massage Therapist license to Ohio →
Transfer your Massage Therapist license from Ohio to: Indiana → | Kentucky → | Michigan → | Pennsylvania → | West Virginia →
Ohio requires 750 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.