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New York Massage Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

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Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

temporary charitable practice authorization

Time-limited authorization for uncompensated charitable professional services; §59.17 states that it is not licensure, registration, certification or permanent authorization.

Licensing authority: board of regents and the department · Application information

Temporary charitable practice authorization
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit truthful attestations, proposed dates, sites, purpose and sponsoring organization information and the $35 fee.
Discipline
No disqualifying professional discipline, or disclose discipline and demonstrate satisfactory rehabilitation.
Duration
No more than 60 days in a calendar year unless the Department determines otherwise; subject to any imposed limitations.
License
Hold an active massage therapy license in another state with substantially equivalent requirements, and be in good standing in every licensing jurisdiction.
Regulation
Comply with New York scope of practice, standards and disciplinary jurisdiction; this authorization does not create a permanent professional license.
Services
Provide uncompensated massage therapy solely for charitable, humanitarian, educational, public-health or community-service purposes addressing workforce shortages or underserved populations' unmet needs.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Massage Therapist Conditional Registration Certificate

Conditional registration for an already licensed massage therapist with continuing education deficiencies; does not create a new underlying professional license.

Licensing authority: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions; Board of Regents · Application information

Conditional registration for continuing education deficiency
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Department discretion; no longer than one year and not renewable or extendable.
Education
Admit or attest to continuing education noncompliance; agree to remedy the deficiency, complete regular continuing education at one hour per month and complete additional education the Department requires.
Fees
Pay the conditional registration fee, triennial registration fee and mandatory continuing education fee.
License
Already hold the New York massage therapy professional license.
Optional Self Test
The Board's self-examination is an optional continuing-education learning activity worth three hours, usable once per triennial period. It is recorded as education, not a separate credential licensing examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Massage Therapist

Professional license to practice massage therapy.

Licensing authority: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions; Board of Regents · Application information

Licensure by endorsement — Path A
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Age
Be at least 21 years old.
Application
Submit the application, required supporting documentation, and applicable fee.
Character
Be of good moral character as determined by the Department.
Child Support
Meet the child-support certification requirements referenced by Education Law §6501 and §6502 and Form 1, question 17.
Cpr
Document CPR certification within three years prior to licensure.
Education
Meet §78.1 education requirements, including the 1,000-hour registered-program or equivalent requirement.
English
If the application relies on education in a country where English is not the principal language, establish English proficiency under 8 NYCRR §59.3; the language assessment is an applicant condition.
Examination Alternatives
Form 1 question 7(2) accepts a passing MBLEx score used for licensure, an NCETMB score prior to February 1, 2015, or the examination used for licensure in the other jurisdiction. The dated NCETMB score is prior evidence; another jurisdiction's own examination and the open examination approval slot are conditions. The Board must find examination comparability or that professional experience addresses limitations in its scope and content under §78.4.
Experience
At least two years of acceptable post-licensure massage therapy experience in the licensing jurisdiction, including western and/or oriental techniques. Form 1 identifies the 2–4-year applicant category within the past 10 years.
Experience Definition
A year of professional experience is 52 weeks with an average of at least 12 hours of massage therapy practice per week.
Immigration
8 NYCRR §59.4, effective June 1, 2016, applies notwithstanding contrary requirements elsewhere: immigration status does not disqualify an otherwise qualified applicant unless federal law makes the applicant ineligible; applicants not unlawfully present, including DACA or similar relief, are not precluded.
License
Hold an active massage therapy license issued by another state, country, or territory, and be in good standing in every jurisdiction in which licensed.
Mblex Conditional
The MBLEx leaf records the currently offered named alternative, including an examination passed before application. Applicants using accepted historical NCETMB results or another jurisdiction's own examination may be excused from this alternative; those options are conditions, not additional leaves.
Previous Failure
8 NYCRR §59.6 requires no unsuccessful attempt at a New York licensing examination unless a comparable examination was subsequently passed. The license-requirements page states: "Have not taken and failed the New York State Massage Therapy examination"; retain this narrower Board instruction as an applicant condition.
Licensure by endorsement — Path B
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
Age
Be at least 21 years old.
Application
Submit the application, required supporting documentation, and applicable fee.
Character
Be of good moral character as determined by the Department.
Child Support
Meet the child-support certification requirements referenced by Education Law §6501 and §6502 and Form 1, question 17.
Cpr
Document CPR certification within three years prior to licensure.
Education
High school graduation or equivalent; graduate from a massage program of at least 500 clock hours; complete at least 800 total classroom hours, including 300 in the specified basic-science, hygiene and first-aid subjects and 200 in massage theory and technique, with at least 50 in oriental and 50 in western theory and technique.
English
If the application relies on education in a country where English is not the principal language, establish English proficiency under 8 NYCRR §59.3; the language assessment is an applicant condition.
Examination Alternatives
Form 1 question 7(2) accepts a passing MBLEx score used for licensure, an NCETMB score prior to February 1, 2015, or the examination used for licensure in the other jurisdiction. The dated NCETMB score is prior evidence; another jurisdiction's own examination and the open examination approval slot are conditions. The Board must find examination comparability or that professional experience addresses limitations in its scope and content under §78.4.
Experience
At least five years of acceptable post-licensure massage therapy experience within the 10 years immediately before application, in the licensing jurisdiction, including western and/or oriental techniques.
Experience Definition
A year of professional experience is 52 weeks with an average of at least 12 hours of massage therapy practice per week.
Immigration
8 NYCRR §59.4, effective June 1, 2016, applies notwithstanding contrary requirements elsewhere: immigration status does not disqualify an otherwise qualified applicant unless federal law makes the applicant ineligible; applicants not unlawfully present, including DACA or similar relief, are not precluded.
License
Hold an active massage therapy license issued by another state, country, or territory, and be in good standing in every jurisdiction in which licensed.
Mblex Conditional
The MBLEx leaf records the currently offered named alternative, including an examination passed before application. Applicants using accepted historical NCETMB results or another jurisdiction's own examination may be excused from this alternative; those options are conditions, not additional leaves.
Previous Failure
8 NYCRR §59.6 requires no unsuccessful attempt at a New York licensing examination unless a comparable examination was subsequently passed. The license-requirements page states: "Have not taken and failed the New York State Massage Therapy examination"; retain this narrower Board instruction as an applicant condition.
Licensure by examination
New York State Massage Therapy Examination
Admission
Before admission to the examination, meet licensure requirements except citizenship, subject to the overriding current rule in §59.4.
Age
Be at least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the application, required supporting documentation, and applicable fee.
Character
Be of good moral character as determined by the Department.
Child Support
Meet the child-support certification requirements referenced by Education Law §6501 and §6502 and Form 1, question 17.
Cpr
Document CPR certification within three years prior to licensure.
Education
High school graduation or equivalent and completion of a registered or substantially equivalent massage program; the registered program requires 1,000 clock hours under 8 NYCRR §52.15, including at least 150 hours of supervised practice on another person.
Education Alternatives
Education completed outside a registered New York program is reviewed for equivalent scope and content; deficiencies must be remedied in an acceptable program.
English
If the application relies on education in a country where English is not the principal language, establish English proficiency under 8 NYCRR §59.3; the language assessment is an applicant condition.
Immigration
8 NYCRR §59.4, effective June 1, 2016, applies notwithstanding contrary requirements elsewhere: immigration status does not disqualify an otherwise qualified applicant unless federal law makes the applicant ineligible; applicants not unlawfully present, including DACA or similar relief, are not precluded.
Score
Pass the New York State Massage Therapy Examination with a score of 75.0.
Expedited licensure for relocated military spouse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the expedited-review form, professional Form 1, required attestations and supporting documentation; the initial application fee is reduced by half.
Examination
This statutory route is based on the existing license and substantial equivalence; examinations underlying the other state's license are applicant evidence. Applicants who do not qualify must meet the ordinary route's requirements.
License
Hold an out-of-state professional license in good standing; the Department must find the other state's licensure requirements substantially equivalent to New York's.
Military Status
Spouse of an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard or reserves, transferred by military orders to New York.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement following temporary surrender during treatment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conditions
The Department may impose continuing treatment, monitoring, continuing professional education, supervised practice and limits on scope and nature of practice to protect the public.
Fitness
Show sufficient treatment progress, compliance with imposed conditions and fitness for active practice; appearance before staff or committee members may be required.
Registration
Pay registration fees and meet continuing education requirements applicable to return to practice.
Surrender
License was temporarily surrendered under Education Law §6510-b and 8 NYCRR Part 18 for substance abuse without patient or client harm.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Registration after lapse — with continuous practice elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Catch Up
Complete outstanding continuing education for the last registered period; one hour for each month of lapsed registration up to 36 hours, during the new registration period or the permitted 36-month lookback through its conclusion; meet the regular continuing education requirement for the new period.
Child Support
Meet the child-support certification requirements referenced by Education Law §6501 and §6502 and Form 1, question 17.
Delayed Application
Use the Delayed Registration Application if registration has lapsed longer than four months; do not practice without a current registration certificate.
Education
Complete 36 hours of acceptable continuing education each triennial registration period, no more than 12 hours self-instructional; certify compliance or an approved exemption or adjustment under §78.5.
Optional Self Test
The Board's self-examination is an optional continuing-education learning activity worth three hours, usable once per triennial period. It is recorded as education, not a separate credential licensing examination.
Practice History
Registration lapsed while the licensee lawfully practiced massage therapy continuously in another jurisdiction.
Records
Maintain continuing education records for six years and supply them when requested.
Registration
Submit the registration application and fees; a professional license remains valid for life unless revoked, annulled or suspended.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Registration after lapse — without continuous practice elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Catch Up
Complete outstanding continuing education for the last registered period; one hour for each month of lapsed registration up to 36 hours, in the 12 months before the new registration period; then at least 12 hours in each succeeding 12 months until the next registration date.
Child Support
Meet the child-support certification requirements referenced by Education Law §6501 and §6502 and Form 1, question 17.
Delayed Application
Use the Delayed Registration Application if registration has lapsed longer than four months; do not practice without a current registration certificate.
Education
Complete 36 hours of acceptable continuing education each triennial registration period, no more than 12 hours self-instructional; certify compliance or an approved exemption or adjustment under §78.5.
Optional Self Test
The Board's self-examination is an optional continuing-education learning activity worth three hours, usable once per triennial period. It is recorded as education, not a separate credential licensing examination.
Practice History
Registration lapsed and the licensee did not lawfully practice continuously in another jurisdiction throughout the lapse.
Records
Maintain continuing education records for six years and supply them when requested.
Registration
Submit the registration application and fees; a professional license remains valid for life unless revoked, annulled or suspended.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure with Board of Regents substantial compliance waiver
New York State Massage Therapy Examination
Application
Submit the application, required supporting documentation, and applicable fee.
Character
Be of good moral character as determined by the Department.
Child Support
Meet the child-support certification requirements referenced by Education Law §6501 and §6502 and Form 1, question 17.
Cpr
Document CPR certification within three years prior to licensure.
English
If the application relies on education in a country where English is not the principal language, establish English proficiency under 8 NYCRR §59.3; the language assessment is an applicant condition.
Exam Waiver
The examination is the current state licensing examination, subject to the Board's case-specific waiver; an approved waiver is an applicant condition.
Immigration
8 NYCRR §59.4, effective June 1, 2016, applies notwithstanding contrary requirements elsewhere: immigration status does not disqualify an otherwise qualified applicant unless federal law makes the applicant ineligible; applicants not unlawfully present, including DACA or similar relief, are not precluded.
Waiver
The Board of Regents may waive education, experience or examination requirements only when satisfied that the requirements have been substantially met; the Committee on the Professions reviews the petition.
Triennial registration renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Child Support
Meet the child-support certification requirements referenced by Education Law §6501 and §6502 and Form 1, question 17.
Education
Complete 36 hours of acceptable continuing education each triennial registration period, no more than 12 hours self-instructional; certify compliance or an approved exemption or adjustment under §78.5.
Optional Self Test
The Board's self-examination is an optional continuing-education learning activity worth three hours, usable once per triennial period. It is recorded as education, not a separate credential licensing examination.
Records
Maintain continuing education records for six years and supply them when requested.
Registration
Submit the registration application and fees; a professional license remains valid for life unless revoked, annulled or suspended.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Limited Permit to Practice Massage Therapy

Limited, supervised authority pending the licensing examination; not a professional license.

Licensing authority: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions; Board of Regents · Application information

Initial limited permit
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
No more than 12 months or until results of the next eligible licensing examination are available, whichever comes first; not renewable.
Eligibility
Meet licensure requirements except examination and citizenship, with current §59.4 governing immigration eligibility; be admitted to the examination and not have previously failed it or held such a permit.
Examination
The upcoming state examination determines the permit's expiry; passing it is not a requirement for issuance of this limited permit.
Faq Conflict
NYSED FAQ question 15 says: "There is no limit on the number of limited permits that you may obtain during the period when you are eligible to hold a limited permit". Education Law §7806 limits issuance to a person who has not previously held such a permit; the statutory restriction controls.
Practice
The permit does not authorize private practice. Apply using Form 5 with the required fee and approved education documentation.
Supervision
Practice only under personal, on-site supervision by a currently licensed and registered New York massage therapist; the supervising therapist must be on the premises whenever services are provided.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

temporary practice certificate for certain servicemembers and spouses

Temporary certificate authorizing practice under an out-of-state professional license during military relocation.

Licensing authority: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions; Board of Regents · Application information

Temporary military practice certificate — U.S. servicemember
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
U.S. servicemember
Character
Be of good moral character as determined by the Department.
Duration
Certificate lasts until the military orders or out-of-state license validity end, whichever is earlier; loss of good standing invalidates the certificate.
Implementation Notice
The implementing information page asks for notification of changes within 30 days; §59.16 specifies 60 days for name, address or contact information. Retain the Board's shorter published instruction as a condition.
License
Hold a current massage therapy license in good standing in another U.S. state or jurisdiction and actively have used it for the two years before relocation.
Orders
Relocate residency to New York because of military service orders; provide orders and current license and registration copies.
Regulation
Attest to submission to the Board of Regents and Department's disciplinary authority, standards of practice and applicable continuing education requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary military practice certificate — Spouse of a U.S. servicemember
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Applicant
Spouse of a U.S. servicemember
Character
Be of good moral character as determined by the Department.
Duration
Certificate lasts until the military orders or out-of-state license validity end, whichever is earlier; loss of good standing invalidates the certificate.
Implementation Notice
The implementing information page asks for notification of changes within 30 days; §59.16 specifies 60 days for name, address or contact information. Retain the Board's shorter published instruction as a condition.
License
Hold a current massage therapy license in good standing in another U.S. state or jurisdiction and actively have used it for the two years before relocation.
Orders
Relocate residency to New York because of military service orders; provide orders and current license and registration copies.
Regulation
Attest to submission to the Board of Regents and Department's disciplinary authority, standards of practice and applicable continuing education requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Update or continuation of temporary military practice certificate
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Certificate
Already hold the certificate and continue to satisfy licensure and good-standing conditions.
Duration
The earliest of orders ending, license expiration or loss of good standing controls.
Updated Evidence
Supply revised military orders or documentation of the updated out-of-state license expiration date; the Department changes the certificate expiration accordingly.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Practice Permit — Military Spouse

Supervised temporary practice while direct-source verification for an eligible military spouse is pending.

Licensing authority: board of regents and the department · Application information

Military spouse temporary practice permit
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the expedited-review form, professional Form 1, required attestations and supporting documentation; the initial application fee is reduced by half.
Duration
Six months or until ten days after notice of ineligibility; one additional six months may be granted if qualification is expected and document delays arose from unavoidable extenuating circumstances.
Examination
This statutory route is based on the existing license and substantial equivalence; examinations underlying the other state's license are applicant evidence. Applicants who do not qualify must meet the ordinary route's requirements.
Fee
No fee for the temporary practice permit.
License
Hold an out-of-state professional license in good standing; the Department must find the other state's licensure requirements substantially equivalent to New York's.
Military Status
Spouse of an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard or reserves, transferred by military orders to New York.
Supervision
Practice under supervision of a New York licensee authorized to supervise the profession.
Verification
The application indicates qualification except pending direct-source verification of underlying education or experience; applicant copies may be reviewed meanwhile.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Extension of military spouse temporary practice permit
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Extension
The Department must expect full licensure upon receipt of the remaining verification documents and find that unavoidable extenuating circumstances caused the delay; an additional six months may be granted.
Status
Currently hold a military-spouse temporary practice permit.
Supervision
Continue the supervised practice conditions of the permit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New York State Massage Therapy Examination

Provider
Meazure Learning
Exam questions
140 items, including 20 requiring knowledge of Eastern methods
Passing score
75.0 as determined by the State Board for Massage
Examination outline
  • Assessment & Evaluation (15%)
    • Intake Interview
    • Physical Examination - Evaluation of clients for treatment; gathering information about client's condition; performing passive, active, and resisted movements
  • Development of a Treatment Plan (27%)
    • Definition of scope of treatment
    • Areas of knowledge, including anatomy, physiology, and pathology in exploring client's condition
    • Selection of appropriate modes of treatment; re-evaluation of initial treatment plan
  • Application of Treatment Skills (28%)
    • Preparation
    • Application of Massage Therapy techniques
    • Application of accessory therapeutic techniques
    • Patient education
  • Treatment of clients affected by specific conditions (16%)
  • Professional Responsibilities, Business Practice and Professional Ethics (14%)
    • Knowledge of State laws and regulations governing practice of Massage Therapy
    • Client-record keeping
    • Safety and First Aid
Examination sources

Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination

Provider
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards; administered at Pearson VUE (Pearson Professional Centers) test centers
Format
Computer-based, fixed-length computer-adaptive test (CAT) of multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer; offered in English and Spanish and administered year-round; results reported as PASS or FAIL, with a diagnostic report by content area for failing candidates
Exam questions
100 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
110 minutes for 100 questions within a two-hour (120-minute) appointment
Passing score
Criterion-referenced passing standard adopted by the FSMTB Board of Directors; results reported as PASS or FAIL
Exam fee
$265 MBLEx application fee
Examination outline
  • Anatomy & Physiology (11%)
    • A. System structure — Cardiovascular
    • A. System structure — Digestive
    • A. System structure — Endocrine
    • A. System structure — Integumentary
    • A. System structure — Lymphatic & Immune
    • A. System structure — Musculoskeletal
    • A. System structure — Nervous
    • A. System structure — Reproduction
    • A. System structure — Respiratory
    • A. System structure — Sensory
    • A. System structure — Urinary
    • B. System function — Cardiovascular
    • B. System function — Digestion
    • B. System function — Endocrine
    • B. System function — Integumentary
    • B. System function — Lymphatic & Immune
    • B. System function — Musculoskeletal
    • B. System function — Nervous
    • B. System function — Reproduction
    • B. System function — Respiratory
    • B. System function — Sensory
    • B. System function — Urinary
    • C. Tissue injury and repair
    • D. Concepts of energetic anatomy
  • Kinesiology (12%)
    • A. Skeletal muscle components & characteristics
    • B. Concepts of skeletal muscle contractions
    • C. Proprioceptors
    • D. Skeletal muscle locations, attachments (origins, insertions), & actions
    • E. Joint structure and function
    • F. Range of motion — Active
    • F. Range of motion — Passive
    • F. Range of motion — Resisted
  • Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations (14%)
    • A. Overview of Pathologies
    • B. Contraindications — Site specific
    • B. Contraindications — Pathology related
    • B. Contraindications — Special populations
    • B. Contraindications — Tools
    • B. Contraindications — Special applications
    • C. Areas of caution
    • D. Special populations
    • E. Classes of medications
  • Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation (15%)
    • A. Physiological effects of soft tissue manipulation
    • B. Psychological effects of soft tissue manipulation
    • C. Effects of soft tissue manipulation for specific client populations
    • D. Soft tissue techniques — Types of strokes
    • D. Soft tissue techniques — Sequence of application
    • E. Hot/cold applications
    • F. Overview of massage/bodywork modalities
  • Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning (17%)
    • A. Organization of a massage/bodywork session
    • B. Client consultation and evaluation — Verbal intake
    • B. Client consultation and evaluation — Health history form
    • C. Written data collection
    • D. Visual assessment — General
    • D. Visual assessment — Postural
    • D. Visual assessment — Gait
    • E. Palpation assessment
    • F. Range of motion assessment
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Ability to rule out contraindications
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Client treatment goal setting
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Evaluation of response to previous treatment
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Formulation of treatment strategy
  • Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations (16%)
    • A. Ethical behavior
    • B. Professional boundaries
    • C. Code of ethics violations
    • D. The therapeutic relationship
    • E. Dual relationships
    • F. Sexual misconduct
    • G. Massage/bodywork-related laws and regulations
    • H. Scope of practice
    • I. Professional communication
    • J. Confidentiality
    • K. Principles
  • Guidelines for Professional Practice (15%)
    • A. Proper and safe use of equipment and supplies
    • B. Practitioner hygiene
    • C. Sanitation and cleanliness
    • D. Safety practices — Facilities
    • D. Safety practices — Practitioner safety
    • D. Safety practices — Client safety
    • E. Practitioner care — Body mechanics
    • E. Practitioner care — Personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • E. Practitioner care — Self-care
    • E. Practitioner care — Injury prevention
    • F. Draping — Safe and appropriate
    • F. Draping — Communication
    • G. Business Practices — Business planning
    • G. Business Practices — Strategic planning
    • G. Business Practices — Office management
    • G. Business Practices — Marketing
    • G. Business Practices — Hiring/Interviewing
    • G. Business Practices — Documentation & Records — Client records
    • G. Business Practices — Documentation & Records — Business records
    • H. Healthcare and business terminology
Examination sources