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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
650 hrs
Training Hours
Licensed Massage Therapist
License Title
MBLEx
Exam Required
$475
Total Fees
24 hrs
CE Required
Get the Tennessee Massage Therapist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Tennessee 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
650 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
$195
MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the MBLEx.
Overall licensing difficulty: 5/100
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: $195Invest 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 Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure for the latest fee schedule | $280 |
License Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure for the latest fee schedule | Included |
Exam Fee MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB | $195 |
Total Government Fees Estimated total; does not include education costs | $475 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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 Tennessee with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Regulatory Board
Tennessee has one of the higher total fee structures with a $280 application fee and $200 renewal fee. CE requirements include 2 hours specifically on Tennessee statutes and rules. Licenses renew every 2 years. 24 hours of continuing education are required per renewal cycle. 650 hours of pre-licensing education are required. Neighboring states include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, each with their own massage therapist requirements.
650 hours required covering sciences, massage theory/practice, ethics, and TN massage law.
24 CE hours per biennium: 2 hours TN statutes/rules, 2 hours ethics/substance abuse/business.
$280 application fee and $200 renewal fee are among the higher fees nationally.
Tennessee accepts out-of-state massage therapist credentials under certain conditions. Contact Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure for reciprocity requirements and documentation.
A criminal background check is required as part of the massage therapist application process in Tennessee.
Massage Therapist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Tennessee
See how Tennessee compares: Massage Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare massage therapist requirements across all states →
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How does Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
Massage Therapist Schools in Tennessee
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Massage Therapist license to Tennessee →
Transfer your Massage Therapist license from Tennessee to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Georgia → | Kentucky → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | North Carolina → | Virginia →
Tennessee requires 650 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.