​ Licensure Requirements for License Massage Therapist (LMT) & Registered Massage Practitioners (RMP)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 DEADLINE FOR
ISSUING INITIAL REGISTRATION TO PRACTICE AS A MASSAGE PRACTITIONER (RMP)

Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-302(e) — On or after October 1, 2024, the Board may not issue an initial registration to practice as a registered massage practitioner.

In order to timely process the remaining RMP applications and ensure compliance with the above stated statutory requirement, as of September 16, 2024, the Board is unable to accept any applications from individuals who completed a massage education program of less than 750 contact hours. Applicants who are presently scheduled for the online jurisprudence examination must take and pass the examination no later than September 20, 2024. Datasheets and license fee payments must be received by the Board no later than September 25, 2024 to ensure issuance of the initial registration by September 30, 2024.

General Instructions - Licensure Requirements

• Applications
• Photos
• Fee Payment
• Required Exams
• Education Verification
• Notice to Applicants Who Attend Foreign Schools
• Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies

Veteran Priority
Approved Accrediting Agencies
Download Application Packet

General Instructions – Licensure Requirements
Applications
Please read the instructions carefully before filling out your application packet for License Massage Therapist (LMT) or Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP) status. The application form for the License Massage Therapist or Registered Massage Practitioner is the same. The Application Packet contains:

• Application Form - General Information, Education/Professional Training, Licensure History, Criminal History/Character and Fitness Questions
• Professional References List
• Checklist of Required Documents to be Submitted  
• Online Jurisprudence Examination Failure Policies
• Attestation Page
• Certificate of Moral Character Form
• Character & Fitness Explanation Page
• Criminal History Records Check  - Instructions, Fingerprinting Requirement & CJIS Form.

AN APPLICATION IS NOT CONSIDERED COMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED AS OUTLINED.  

The application must be completed by the applicant. Answer all questions. If you leave a question blank, the application may be returned to you. All information must be typed in the fillable form or clearly printed in black or blue ink. If additional space is required, use the reverse side of the application or attach a separate 8 ½ “x 11” sheet of paper. Place your name and the last 4 digits of your social security number on each additional page or addendum.
Photos with Application  
Two (2) recent 2” X 2” head & shoulders passport type photo on a white background must be submitted with the application. One must be attached to the “Notary page” in the designated area of the application. Profiles (side views) photographs will not be accepted. The application form must be notarized on the notary page. The notary seal must be placed on the edge of the photograph.

Fee Payment
Payments must be in the form of a certified check or money order made payable to:
MD  MASSAGE THERAPY EXAMINERS
* No cash, personal, or business checks will be accepted. Your application personal check, business check or cash will be returned to you.

Required Examinations
(National Examination and the Maryland Jurisprudence Examination)
You must take and pass a national examination, and the Maryland Jurisprudence examination before any license or registration can be issued to you.  All applicants must either pass the FSMTB (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards)-MBLEx, NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) or the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) examination before submitting an application. Copies of your massage school transcript(s), national score report, CPR certification, Criminal History Records Check (fingerprint) receipt must be submitted with your application.  The Board will send you an email acknowledging of receipt of your application.

You will be scheduled for the Maryland Jurisprudence Examination upon receipt of your:

• official national score report sent directly to the Board
• official school transcript(s) sent by the school(s) directly to the Board (can be emailed to mdh.bcmte@maryland.gov)
• cleared criminal history record report, and
• verification of good standing from out of state licensing Boards sent directly to the Board.

The official national score report and the requested official sealed transcript(s) must be contained in your Board file before any license or registration can be issued to you. 

Education Verification
Applicants must personally arrange with their school(s) to have certified, sealed copies of final official transcripts submitted by the school(s) directly to the Board. The transcript(s) must document graduation from and completion of a minimum of 750-contact hours for LMTs  and 600-contact hours for RMPs in an accredited massage therapy education program as defined in the Laws and Regulations.

​Notice to Applicants Who Attended Foreign Schools
Students who attended foreign schools are advised that it is solely their responsibility to ensure that all transcripts are in a format acceptable to the Board. Transcripts from foreign schools must be independently reviewed and investigated at the expense of the applicant. Such transcripts must also have an original English translation from an accredited member of the American Translators Association or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).  Only original transcripts and translations are acceptable.   Copies or certified copies will not be accepted.

Transcripts will only be accepted from massage schools that are approved or accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). Refer to the Board's Massage website for a list of USDE accrediting agencies. Additionally, schools located outside of the United States must undergo a strict comprehensive review and scrutiny through a professional, private contract commission. The Board-approved commissions to determine the eligibility and competency of such school(s) is listed in the chart at the bottom of this page.

In many instances, fraudulent information has been detected in applications, particularly from transcripts purportedly derived from foreign schools and institutions. Accordingly, the following procedures apply to any foreign school:

• No action will be taken on the application until the Board receives a full report from one of the Board-approved commissions. Applicants are advised that such reviews take several weeks to several months to complete.
• Applicants are advised that the Board will not process the application further until a full favorable report is submitted by the authorized agency. The Board retains the discretion to approve or reject any application upon review of the report and documentation.
• All foreign transcripts, letters and documents must be presented to the contract investigating company in original form and must also have an original English translation from an accredited member of the American Translators Association. No other translations are acceptable. The applicant bears all costs of any translations or certifications.
• Applicants who attended foreign schools are advised that very few foreign schools or institutions have qualified as meeting Maryland’s standards. Accordingly, applicants should seriously consider and weigh the costs of this comprehensive review and fees with the probable chances of non-acceptance of the foreign school.
• Affected applicants are advised that acceptance of an application and non-refundable fees does not in any manner insure, promise or guarantee that the application will be approved, and certification or registration will be granted.
• The Board does not interface with the credential evaluation agency.
• Applicants are solely responsible to make all arrangements with agencies for evaluation of transcripts/academic records, including payment of any applicable fees. Applicants may contact:

APPROVED CREDENTIAL EVALUATION AGENCIES

MILITARY VETERANS’ PRIORITY
ACTIVE-DUTY Military, Recently Discharged Military Veterans  & Spouses 
Pursuant to the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013, military veterans discharged within one (1) year of application for licensing or registration qualify for expedited processing of applications and review of equivalency requests for military training. The Board will expedite the review and processing of applications of any military schools or courses submitted as qualifying equivalents for required licensing/registration educational standards. The Board extends these privileges to active-duty military, including reservists called to active duty for training or deployment. These provisions also apply to spouses of active duty and qualifying veterans.
This Board stands ready to assist all qualified military veterans in any way possible to meet the Act’s provisions. Should any Act provisions be further amended (or as further information becomes available) information will be posted on this website.

Approved Accrediting Agencies
A massage school must be accredited and in good standing by one or more of the following recognized accrediting agencies at the time of your graduation; if your transcript does not meet this requirement the application will not be accepted by the Board.
Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies Approved by U.S. Dept. of Education

1. Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
2. Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
3. Accrediting Commission for Career Schools & Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
4. Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges & Schools (ACICS)
5. Council on Occupational Education (COE)
6. Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
7. National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS)

Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies Approved by U.S. Dept. of Education

1. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
2. New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
3. New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Commission on Technical & Career Institutions
4. North Central Association of Colleges & Schools, the Higher Learning Commission
5. North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees
6. Northwest Association of Schools & Colleges & Universities, Commission on Colleges and Universities
7. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
8. Western Association of Schools & Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges & Universities
9. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community & Jr. Colleges
10. Western Association of Schools & Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools

​Download Application Packet

• Application Form - General Information, Education/Professional Training, Licensure History, Criminal History/Character and Fitness Questions
• Professional References List
• Checklist of Required Documents to be Submitted  
• Online Jurisprudence Examination Failure Policies
• Attestation Page
• Certificate of Moral Character Form
• Character & Fitness Explanation Page
• Criminal History Records Check  - Instructions, Fingerprinting Requirement & CJIS Form.