Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy Examination Requirements

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No examination is required for massage therapy instructors, continuing education providers, or the owners of massage therapy establishments or massage therapy educational programs.

TDLR Exam Eligibility Required for All Massage Therapy Applicants

Starting on February 6, 2023, applicants must meet the TDLR eligibility requirements in Texas Occupations Code Section 455.2035(b) before they can schedule their Massage Therapy Examination. To become eligible, applicants must complete all requirements in Texas Administrative Code Section 117.20 which includes satisfactorily complete massage therapy studies in a minimum 500-hour department approved course at a licensed massage school and submit a Massage Therapy License Application.

Applicants have two examination options for obtaining a Texas Massage Therapist License:

Click HERE to begin the application process or see below for more information on each examination option.

See below for more information on each examination option.

State of Texas Massage Therapist Exam

The Candidate Information Bulletin for the TDLR Texas Massage Therapy examination provides helpful information about the exam content (including the passing score, the number of questions, the time allotted to complete the exam and the reference list), fees, exam site locations and detailed information about TDLR’s examination. To become eligible for the Texas Exam, applicants must satisfactorily complete massage therapy studies in a minimum 500-hour department approved course at a licensed massage school and submit a massage therapist license application (Apply Online or see Texas Massage Therapist License Application PDF) before the examination can be scheduled.

Applicants will receive an eligibility email notice from TDLR third party vendor PSI, that will include instructions for registering for your exam.

NOTE: Applicants who take the TDLR State of Texas-administered exam will not have to sit for the Texas jurisprudence exam because that law and rules topics are part of the examination.

Candidate Information Bulletins

Massage Therapist Multi-State Licensing Exam

Applicants who want to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) must complete a massage therapist license application (Apply Online or see Texas Massage Therapist License Application PDF).

After submitting your application, TDLR staff will verify you meet all eligibility requirements in Texas Administrative Code Section 117.20 and then send a message to FSMTB confirming your eligibility to take the exam. You will need to contact FSMTB to schedule your examination. Once you have passed the FSMTB examination, you will need to send those results to TDLR before we will issue a license to you.

Learn more about how to schedule and take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX)

NOTE: Applicants who take the MBLEX exam must complete the Jurisprudence Exam. You can find Jurisprudence Exam information HERE.

Additional Exam Eligibility Information

Students Attending a Licensed Texas Massage Therapy School

  • Schools will report student hours monthly to TDLR through the PALMS online system
  • Once a student has completed the required hours, the school will report that to TDLR
  • TDLR will notify the school and the student with the instructions to receive an exam eligibility
  • Students will need to submit the massage therapist license application
  • Once a license application is received, an exam eligibility e-mail will be issued to the applicant

Students Attending a Texas College or Out-of-State School

  • Applicants seeking licensure must complete all requirements of Texas Administrative Code Section 117.20 and Texas Occupations Code Sections 455.156 and 455.159
  • Applicants must submit a massage therapist license application to TDLR
  • Once a license application is received and the education requirements have been verified, an exam eligibility e-mail will be issued to the applicant

Jurisprudence Exam

TDLR’s mission is to honor the trust of all Texans, safeguard the public, and provide a fair and efficient licensing and regulatory environment at the lowest possible cost. TDLR will continue to administer the Massage Therapist Jurisprudence Examination through third-party vendor, eStrategy Solutions.

The Texas Massage Therapist Jurisprudence Examination content is based on state rules and laws relating to the practice of massage therapy. Applicants taking the MBLEX for initial licensure must submit proof of completing the jurisprudence examination when they submit a completed application form (Apply Online or see Texas Massage Therapist License Application PDF). Applicants will pay the third-party vendor any fees for taking the jurisprudence examination,

Applicants will pay the third-party vendor any fees for taking the jurisprudence examination. You must complete your examination within 30 days of paying the jurisprudence exam registration fee. After 30 days your registration will expire and your exam will be invalidated and your registration fee will not be refunded. To take the jurisprudence exam, you will need to re-register and pay a new fee.

Please note that the jurisprudence exam is no longer a requirement for Massage Therapy Continuing Education Providers, Massage Therapy Establishments or individuals taking the Texas Massage Therapy examination administered by PSI.

Take the Massage Therapist Jurisprudence Examination

Massage Therapist Multi-State Licensing Exam

To obtain a Texas massage therapist license, TDLR requires a passing score on the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). Applicants for a Texas massage therapist license must submit their FSMTB exam results with their license application (Apply Online or see Texas Massage Therapist License Application PDF).

In order to be eligible for licensure, the applicant must meet one of the following conditions. All supporting documentation (transcripts, exam results, etc.) must be included with the application.

  • Applicant has completed a 500 or 500+ hour course and has passed an acceptable exam within the last two years.
  • Applicant has completed a 500 or 500+ hour course and has taken and passed an acceptable exam within the last two years.

Individuals who currently hold a valid massage license in another state may have additional licensing options. Please see the Out of State Applicants page.

NOTE: The current Board certification examination (the BCETMB exam) from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), is not an acceptable licensing examination.

Take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX)