Application Instructions
Apply online now! Go to MyLicense.IN.gov and you will either need to create or login to your Access Indiana, single sign-on account. You will complete the online application and submit payment with a credit or debit card. You will be contacted by a customer service representative with details of what additional documentation is required to complete your application. Applications are processed in the order received.
Failure to submit the aforementioned information will result in the delay of your application. All positive response applications are subject to the review of the Board.
- Massage Therapist
- Completed Application - Applications may be submitted online at MyLicense.IN.gov.
- Application Fee - $100.00 application fee to be paid by credit or debit card. All application fees are nonrefundable.
- Criminal Background Check
- Positive Response Documentation: If you answer "Yes" to any questions on the application, explain fully in a statement that includes all details. Include the violation, location, date, cause number, and disposition. Submit copies of court documents for each instance to support the statement. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
- Name Change Documentation: Documentation of any legal name change if your name differs from that on any of your documents. Documentation may include a copy of your marriage certificate or divorce decree. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
- Proof of Professional Liability Insurance - You must include a copy of your professional liability insurance with your application – OR – your insurance provider can email us your certificate of insurance directly at pla14@pla.in.gov. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
- Examination: Proof of completion and passage of an examination must be sent directly from one of the following entities. Examination results sent by the applicant will not be accepted.
- Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
- National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM)
- National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)
- National Board Certification Agency National Certification Examination (NBCA NCE).
- Transcripts - Official transcript of grades that shows that the applicant has met all requirements for graduation/completion of 625 hours. If you have not completed the required 625 hours, you can go to https://www.in.gov/dwd/career-training-adult-ed/octs/#tab-665625-Consumer_Information for a list of Indiana approved schools that you can obtain the remaining hours needed. Graduates of a foreign program must submit an official translation if the transcript is not in English. Please upload at the time of application or log back into your account and use the License Update option.
- If you are a foreign graduate, you must also submit a credentials evaluation. The credential evaluation must be specifically prepared for the State of Indiana by the service listed below:
- International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231
Phone: 310.258.9451
Fax: 310.342.7086
www.ierf.org
- International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
- If you are a foreign graduate, you must also submit a credentials evaluation. The credential evaluation must be specifically prepared for the State of Indiana by the service listed below:
- Verification of State Licensure(s) - Verification of any registration/license/certification to practice any health-related profession or occupation in another state or territory. Verifications must be submitted directly from the state of issuance. We do not need verification of county or city permits.
The Fair Information Practice Act: In compliance with Ind. Code 4-1-6, this agency is notifying you that you must provide the requested information, or your application will not be processed. You have the right to challenge, correct, or explain information maintained by this agency. The information you provide will become public record. Your examination scores and grade transcripts are confidential except in circumstances where their release is required by law, in which case you will be notified.
Mandatory Disclosure of U.S. Social Security Number: Your social security number is being requested by this state agency in accordance with Ind. Code 4-1-8-1 and 25-1-5- 11(a). Disclosure is mandatory, and this record cannot be processed without it. Failure to disclose your U.S. social security number will result in the denial of your application. Application fees are not refundable.
Abandon Applications: If an applicant does not submit all requirements within one (1) year after the date on which the application is filed, the application for licensure is abandoned without any action of the Board. An application submitted after an abandoned application shall be treated as a new application.
Renewal Instructions
- Renewal Information
Massage Therapist License expire May 15 of every fourth year ( 2025, 2029, 2033) Renew Online!
The massage therapist renewal fee is $150.
Licensed massage therapists are required to hold professional liability insurance in order to practice massage therapy in the state of Indiana.Renewal notices are sent approximately ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date. License holders with valid email addresses on file will be emailed the renewal notice. Those who do not have valid email addresses on file will be mailed the license renewal notice; this notice is mailed to the address of record with the Board. The Board has no way of knowing whether or not a notice reaches its destination; therefore when a notice has been emailed to a valid email address or mailed, the duty of the Board has been performed.
- Reinstatement Information
If your license has been expired for three or more years, you must reinstate your license to practice. Please submit your reinstatement online with the additional documentation:
- Reinstate Online!
- Payment of the current renewal fee ($100) and current initial application fee ($150). Total reinstatement fee: $250.
- Documentation to Upload:
- Letter of work history detailing employment since expiration
- Professional Liability Insurance
- Completion of continuing education for the time period the license has been expired. The licensee will be required to provide copies of their continuing education certificates.
- Required Documentation
You are required to hold professional liability insurance in order to practice massage therapy in the State of Indiana. The proof may be a copy of the certificate of insurance for your professional liability insurance which may be submitted online with your renewal, via email to pla14@pla.in.gov, or online via the License Update feature at MyLicense.IN.gov.
- Continuing Education Information
847 IAC 1-5-1 and 847 IAC 1-5-2
As of July 13, 2022, all licensed Massage Therapist will be required to complete 18 hours of Continuing Education before the May 2025 renewal. After that, they will be required to complete a total of 24 hours of Continuing Education within the 4-year renewal cycle.
847 IAC 1-5-1 General continuing education requirements
Sec. 1. (a) A minimum of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education activities are required for the quadrennial renewal period, which must include two (2) hours in ethics, which may include boundaries and safety.
(b) Only activities that have been approved under this article will be accepted as credit for license renewal.
(c) Continuing education hours: (1) must be obtained within the quadrennial renewal period; and (2) may not be carried over from one (1) renewal period to another.
(d) If a license is valid for: (1) twelve (12) months or less, no continuing education activity is required; (2) thirteen (13) to twenty-four (24) months, twelve (12) hours are required.
(3) twenty-five (25) months to thirty-six (36) months, eighteen (18) hours are required; or
(4) thirty-seven (37) months to forty-eight (48) months, twenty-four (24) hours are required, for renewal.
(e) Audits for compliance with continuing education requirements and actions regarding noncompliance will be conducted as provided for in IC 25-1-4.
(f)Continuing education activities ordered by the board pursuant to a disciplinary proceeding held under to [sic] IC 25-1-11 may not be counted towards the quadrennial requirement.
(g) Indiana massage therapy license holders that hold a current Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB) credential issued by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) can submit that credential identification for meeting Indiana requirements for continuing education.847 IAC 1-5-2 "Continuing education activities" defined
Sec. 2. (a) Continuing education subject matter for massage therapists should be educational and relating directly to the theory or clinical application of massage therapy and bodywork for the betterment of performance and public safety. The continuing education hours may be from the following topics:
(1) Massage and bodywork techniques.
(2) Use of thermal modalities, topical preparations, and mechanical assistive devices/appliances.
(3) Stretching and gymnastics that lengthen and shorten soft tissues.
(4) Posture and movement assessment.
(5) Anatomy and physiology of the human body.
(6) Kinesiology of the human body.
(7) Pathology of the human body.
(8) Cultural competency.
(9) Body mechanics.
(10) Somatic education.
(11) CPR/first aid.
(12) Sanitation, communicable disease control, and universal and standard precaution.
(13) Medication.
(14) Research in the field of the massage therapy profession.
(15) Professional ethics, boundaries, safety, or communication.
(16) Indiana state law and rules as it pertains to the massage therapy profession.
(17) Management, administration, or supervision of a business practice, which:
(A) relates directly to the operation of a massage therapy business.
(B) does not include instruction on computer skills; and
(C) is limited to three (3) hours per quadrennium.
(18) Any other subject approved by the board.
(b) The board may approve continuing education activities if it determines that the activity:
(1) contributes directly to professional education.
(2) relates directly to the practice, management, or education of massage therapy practitioners; and
(3) is conducted by individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the subject matter of the program.
(c) As used in this rule, "continuing education activities" must be at least one (1) hour in length, be relevant to the practice of massage therapy, and include the following:
(1) Formally organized courses.
(2) Workshops.
(3) Seminars.
(4) Symposia.
(5) Home study correspondence course programs, or distance learning, including approved computer, audio, and video instructional programs, such as webinars and streamed programs, designed by board-approved organizations and subject to board verification and approval procedures.
(6) Approved for credit courses that are related to the practice of massage therapy from an approved organization as defined in IC 25-1-4-0.2.
(d) The following conversion will be used for continuing education credit:
(1) One (1) semester hour equals fifteen (15) continuing education hours.
(2) One (1) quarter hour equals ten (10) continuing education hours.
(3) One (1) trimester hour equals twelve and one-half (12 1/2) continuing education hours. - Renewal Documents
- Massage Therapy Renewal Form
- Massage Therapy Reinstatement Form - Expired for 3 or More Years
Exams & Testing
- The State Board of Massage Therapy will accept the following examinations for the purposes of certification.
You may click on the examination listed to be directed to their website for more information.
Fee Schedule
- Massage Therapy Applications/Renewals
Massage Therapy Application/Renewal Fee Penalty Total Application for Licensure $100 NA $100 Renewal - Unexpired - prior to May 15 of every fourth year (2021, 2025, 2029) $150 NA $150 Renewal - Expired - after May 15 of every fourth year (2021, 2025, 2029) $150 $50 $200