Institute for Justice

LTW Occupation

Massage Therapist

License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing

Highlights

License required in 39 states
50th 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

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