Institute for Justice
LTW Occupation
Massage Therapist
License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing
Highlights
License required in 39 states50th most burdensome licensing requirements
18th most heavily regulated occupation
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
Definition
Massage therapists massage customers for hygienic or remedial purposes.Summary
Thirty-nine states license massage therapists. Twenty-five states require nearly four months of education and training, while others require more, up to about 11 months in Maryland. Other requirements for massage therapists are fairly consistent across states, with all states requiring passage of at least one exam and nearly all states imposing a minimum age on practitioners. On average, licensure costs applicants $181 in fees and 139 days of education/experience, the 50th most burdensome requirements. Because it is licensed in 39 states, it ranks as the 18th most widely and onerously licensed occupation.(Last updated May 1, 2012)
State Licensing Requirements
| Burden Rank | State | Fees | Education/Experience (Days) | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | 775 | 327 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 2 | New York | 115 | 233 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 3 | Nebraska | 25 | 233 | 1 | 0 | 19 |
| 4 | North Dakota | 150 | 175 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 125 | 175 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| 6 | Ohio | 285 | 175 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| 7 | Mississippi | 50 | 163 | 2 | 12 | 18 |
| 8 | Arizona | 189 | 163 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 9 | New Mexico | 75 | 152 | 2 | 12 | 18 |
| 10 | Alabama | 185 | 152 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 57 | 140 | 2 | 12 | 18 |
| 12 | Utah | 95 | 140 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 125 | 140 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 14 | Hawaii | 130 | 133 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 15 | Arkansas | 325 | 117 | 2 | 12 | 18 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 300 | 117 | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| 17 | Texas | 204 | 117 | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 170 | 117 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 19 | South Carolina | 150 | 117 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 20 | Georgia | 125 | 117 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 21 | Louisiana | 175 | 117 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| 22 | Maine | 71 | 117 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 23 | Massachusetts | 225 | 117 | 0 | 12 | 18 |
| 24 | Illinois | 0 | 117 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 25 | Nevada | 375 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 26 | Tennessee | 110 | 117 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 27 | Washington, D.C. | 262 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 28 | Florida | 205 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 29 | Washington | 280 | 117 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Idaho | 175 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 31 | Virginia | 105 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 32 | Delaware | 104 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 33 | Missouri | 100 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 34 | Rhode Island | 50 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 35 | Connecticut | 300 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | New Jersey | 270 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | West Virginia | 225 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | Iowa | 220 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | South Dakota | 165 | 117 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
