Massage License Requirements in Arizona
Verified against Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy · 2026-07-24
Compiled and verified against primary state-board sources by GetMassageLicense — cite-or-deny, with no invented figures. How we source & verify →
Arizona has required statewide massage therapy licensure since July 1, 2005, administered by the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 42. Applicants must complete 700 hours at a board-recognized school and, in most cases, pass the MBLEx or an NCBTMB certification exam — though graduates of a U.S. Department of Education-accredited school located in Arizona are exempt from any licensing exam. Licenses renew every two years with 24 hours of continuing education required, at least half of it in person.
Arizona Massage License Requirements
| Licensing Authority | Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy |
| Title | LMT |
| Training Hours | 700 hours — A.R.S. §32-4201 defines a 'board recognized school' as one accredited by a U.S. Dept. of Education-recognized accrediting agency; if in Arizona, a community college or a school approved by the AZ State Board for Private Postsecondary Education; if out-of-state/Canada, approved by an equivalent regulatory body; or a career technical education district program. |
| Exam | MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)) Alternatives accepted: NCBTMB certification exam |
| Renewal Period | 2 years |
Fee Breakdown
| Initial License Fee | $195 |
| Renewal Fee (every 2 years) | $95 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or situational costs — not part of the standard initial application.
| Reinstatement of a license | $125 |
| Duplicate license | $25 |
| Delinquent renewal | $40 |
Recommended MBLEx exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $265 retake. These are the resources we point candidates to for the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination).
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mometrix · SponsoredMBLEx Secrets Study GuideFull-length practice tests and step-by-step review for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination.See the study guide →
Mometrix · SponsoredMBLEx FlashcardsPortable flashcards covering the MBLEx's high-frequency topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and definitions on the go.See the flashcards →
Mometrix · SponsoredMBLEx Online Prep CourseA guided video course with instructor-led lessons, quizzes, and a study plan for the MBLEx — a subscription option for a more structured review.See the course →Continuing Education
24 hours every 2 years.
24 hours of continuing education are required per 2-year renewal cycle. At least 12 of the 24 hours must be completed in-person; up to 12 hours may be distance-learning, and a live webinar does not count as 'in person.'
Licensure by Endorsement
Three reciprocity pathways exist: (1) licensed elsewhere for at least 2 of the last 5 years; (2) current NCBTMB certification plus graduation from a 500-hour school; or (3) 'Universal Recognition' — a license active at least 1 year in another state plus established Arizona residency. Applicants licensed only in California, Kansas, Minnesota, or Wyoming are excluded from reciprocity because the Board has determined those states' standards are not comparable.
Sources
- A.R.S. §32-4221 — Licensure requirement
- A.R.S. §32-4201 — Definitions
- Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy — Fee Rule R4-15-102
- Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy — Required Continuing Education Hours (R4-15-301)
- Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy — License by Reciprocity (R4-15-203)
- Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy homepage
Data last verified: 2026-07-24 | Source: A.R.S. §32-4221 — Licensure requirement