​ Licensure Requirements for a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)​

To qualify for licensure as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

Option 1: Education-Based Qualification

• Successfully complete a massage therapy program with at least 750 contact hours.
• The program must meet all of the following requirements:
  1. Curriculum approved by the Board.
     
  2. Endorsement by COMTA (or an equivalent entity).
  3. Accreditation by an institutional agency recog​nized by the U.S. Department of Education.

*Out-of-state applicants are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Option 2: Alternative Qualification for Applicants with Less Than 750 Contact Hours

Applicants with less than 750 contact hours may still qualify if they meet one of the following conditions:

• Active Licensure: Maintain continuous licensure or registration in good standing for at least 10 years prior to applying.
• Experience: Provide evidence of at least 1,000 hours of hands-on experience within the past 2 years. *All applications, including out-of-state applicants, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. **Contact the Board to discuss acceptable documentation.
• Education and Continuing Education: Massage program hours and continuing education courses totaling a minimum of 750 hours.
• Education and Licensed Hands-on Work Experience: Demonstrate completion of a combination of contact program hours, continuing education hours, and licensed hands-on work experience totaling 750 hours.
  

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​