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Massage License Requirements in New Jersey

Verified against New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy (Division of Consumer Affairs) · 2026-07-24

Compiled and verified against primary state-board sources by GetMassageLicense — cite-or-deny, with no invented figures. How we source & verify →

New Jersey requires a state license to practice massage and bodywork therapy, issued by the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy within the Division of Consumer Affairs. Applicants need 500 hours of board-approved training and a passing score on either the MBLEx or the NCBTMB board certification exam. Licenses renew biennially with 20 hours of continuing education, including dedicated ethics and laws/rules components, and state law expressly supersedes any municipal massage-licensing ordinances.

New Jersey Massage License Requirements

Licensing AuthorityNew Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy (Division of Consumer Affairs)
TitleMassage and Bodywork Therapist
Training Hours500 hours — School accredited by the NJ Dept. of Education, NJ Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development, NJ Commission on Higher Education, or an equivalent out-of-state agency
ExamMBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB))
Alternatives accepted: NCBTMB Board Certification Examination
Renewal Period2 years

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee$75
Initial License Fee$120
Renewal Fee (every 2 years)$120

Related & additional fees

Separate or situational costs — not part of the standard initial application.

License fee if issued in year 2 of the biennial cycle (prorated)$60
Inactive-status renewal fee$60

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).

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MBLEx Secrets Study GuideMometrix · SponsoredMBLEx Secrets Study GuideFull-length practice tests and step-by-step review for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination.See the study guide →MBLEx FlashcardsMometrix · 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 →MBLEx Online Prep CourseMometrix · 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

20 hours every 2 years, including 2 ethics hours.

20 CE credit hours are required per 2-year renewal period (10 hours if licensed in year 2 of the cycle), capped at 24 hours biennially by statute (N.J.S.A. 45:11-72). Per the Board's FAQ, these 20 hours 'must include at least two hours in the subject of ethics and one hour in the laws and rules pertinent to the practice of massage and bodywork therapy.' Up to 6 hours may be completed online/via DVD, and up to 18 excess hours may carry over for one biennial period.

Licensure by Endorsement

Available under N.J.A.C. 13:37A-2.2 and N.J.S.A. 45:11-64: a license may be issued without exam if the applicant's out-of-state license/certification has substantially similar education and exam requirements. Required documents include a notarized application with photo, license verification from every state ever licensed in, current CPR/First Aid/AED certification, and a completed criminal history background check.

Local & City Requirements

N.J.S.A. 45:11-78 ('Supersedure of municipal ordinance, regulation') states: 'This act shall supersede any municipal ordinance or regulation that provides for the licensing, certification or registration of massage and bodywork therapists.' No local licensing layer survives on top of the state license.

Sources

Data last verified: 2026-07-24 | Source: N.J.S.A. 45:11-53 et seq. — Massage and Bodywork Therapist Licensing Act (P.L. 2007, c.337)