Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in Florida – Schools, Salary, and License Info

To become a massage therapist in Florida, you must pursue a certification program and pass some exams.

If you choose to be an apprentice, you can get an apprentice license first.

For this, you need to be 18 years old and have your high school diploma/GED.

Licensed Massage Therapist Criteria

If you enroll in a program, you must finish 500 hours of classes before applying for a license.

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The topics should cover:

• Anatomy and physiology: 150 hours
• Massage Theory and history: 100 hours
• Allied modalities: 76 hours
• Clinical practicum: 125 hours
• Hydrotherapy: 15 hours
• Business: 15 hours
• Professional ethics: 4 hours
• Florida laws and rules: 10 hours
• Medical errors: 2 hours
• HIV/ AIDS: 3 hours

You can only attend 6 hours of class a day and 30 hours per week.

If you want to be an apprentice, you should be sponsored by someone who has a 3-year experience in the field.

The facility where you train must-have books that cover topics like anatomy, physiology, massage theory, message-related laws and rules, and hydrotherapy.

An apprentice practices for a year or 2, during which the following subjects are covered:

• Anatomy: 300 hours
• Physiology: 300 hours
• Massage Theory and history: 20 hours
• Hydrotherapy theory and practice: 50 hours
• Statutes and rules regulating massage practice: 25 hours
• Introduction to allied modalities: 50 hours
• Hygiene: 5 hours
• Board-approved HIV/ AIDS training: 3 hours
• Practical massage: 700 hours

In the first quarter, you must cover:

• Anatomy: 100 hours
• Physiology: 100 hours
• Statutes and rules: 15 hours

Exam criteria

In order to receive your first license, you must pass the the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).

In Florida, you can take this exam in either English or Spanish.

The test is multiple-choice, can be taken 6 days a week and is provided by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).

Background checks

You will need to submit fingerprints for a Livescan that will prove you have a clean criminal record.

If a Livescan service is not available in your region, you can reach out to Florida Livescan providers to have your hard card switched to an electronic format.

You will also need to submit an Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number in your application form.

Therapists from other states

If you are certified in other states, you will need to take classes as follows:

• Prevention of medical errors: 2 hours
• HIV/AIDS: 3 hours
• Florida laws and rules: 10 hours

Therapists from other countries

If you have a license in another country, your paperwork needs to be translated into English.

Furthermore, your school must be approved by an equivalent entity within its region.

Your references will also need to be approved by a credential evaluation agency.

How to apply

If you have a criminal record, you need to bring 3 recent reference letters before taking the exam.

If you have certain health issues, you are required to bring documents from your doctor.

If you have a health-related certification in another state, the facility you obtained it from needs to submit proof to the Florida Board.

If you studied in schools that aren’t in Florida, you need to have your school send transcripts to the licensing entity in this state.

When you apply, a $155 fee is required.

The amount minus $50 will be returned to you if your license application is rejected.

Other info

You can contact the Florida Board of Massage Therapy by email or the Florida State Massage Therapy Association if you need extra information.

Below you can also see the median income you can expect per year from this new career, depending on where you live in Florida.

Regional Salary in Florida

Massage Therapy by State