Massage License Requirements in Texas
Verified against Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation · 2026-07-24
Compiled and verified against primary state-board sources by GetMassageLicense — cite-or-deny, with no invented figures. How we source & verify →
Texas requires a state-issued massage therapist license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) before anyone may practice or advertise massage therapy. Applicants complete a 500-hour approved training program and pass either TDLR's own state exam or the MBLEx (plus a separate Texas jurisprudence exam if the MBLEx route is chosen), along with a criminal background check. Licenses run on a 2-year cycle and require 12 hours of continuing education to renew.
Texas Massage License Requirements
| Licensing Authority | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) |
| Title | LMT |
| Training Hours | 500 hours — TDLR-approved massage therapy program, or an equivalent college/out-of-state program accepted by TDLR |
| Exam | MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB); Texas state exam administered by PSI) Alternatives accepted: Texas Massage Therapist State Exam (PSI) — includes Texas jurisprudence content, so no separate jurisprudence exam is needed if this option is chosen |
| Renewal Period | 2 years |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Renewal Fee (every 2 years) | $75 |
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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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
12 hours every 2 years.
12 hours of TDLR-approved or TDLR-recognized continuing education are required each 2-year renewal cycle. Acceptable curriculum includes professional ethics as a topic area, but no minimum number of hours is specifically mandated for ethics.
Licensure by Endorsement
Massage therapists licensed in another state may apply through TDLR's out-of-state applicant pathway: submit transcripts/course descriptions proving the 500-hour minimum education, obtain a letter of good standing from the original state licensing board, and pass both the Texas Jurisprudence Exam and the MBLEx (the state PSI exam already covers jurisprudence, but out-of-state applicants using MBLEx must sit for jurisprudence separately). Fingerprinting/background check and the $100 application fee are also required.
Sources
Data last verified: 2026-07-24 | Source: TDLR Massage Therapy homepage