Unlock Your Path: Essential Massage License Requirements in Oklahoma Revealed!

Oklahoma has a rich tradition of embracing alternative healthcare modalities, including massage therapy, and as such, the requirements for licensure reflect a commitment to professionalism, ethics, and client safety. For those aspiring to practice massage therapy in Oklahoma, understanding the state's licensing requirements is crucial. As of 2016, Oklahoma began regulating the massage therapy profession and started requiring licensure for all massage therapists. This field is regulated by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, and licensed under the Massage Therapy Practice Act. Staying informed and prepared to meet these regulatory standards is very important.

Regulatory Oversight and Future Changes

The Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering regulates this field. In May 2025, state lawmakers determined that the Board will continue its operations until 2026. After this, there may be significant changes to the state Board. Aspiring students should visit the state massage therapy board website regularly for updates about the licensing bill and criteria for statewide licensure.

How to Obtain a Massage Therapy License in Oklahoma

Aspiring therapists must complete several key steps to apply for a Massage Therapy License in Oklahoma. A license to practice massage therapy will be issued after a complete application is filed, the required fees are paid, and the applicant has met the following requirements:

Is at least 18 years of age
Has one or more of the following:
- Proof that the applicant maintains liability insurance
- The applicant must provide full disclosure to the board of any criminal proceeding taken against the applicant.

Firstly, they fill out the application form and provide lawful presence verification. Then, they submit a copy of a valid government-issued ID demonstrating they are at least 18. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of current professional liability insurance. They must also include a certificate and transcript from a state-licensed massage school, confirming completion of at least 500 hours of education. Out-state education is accepted as reciprocity for an extra fee. Finally, they must submit test scores from either the MBLEx or NCBTMB examination.

After May 1, 2017, all applicants for licensure will be required to provide proof of 500 hours of massage education and proof that they have passed a nationally recognized competency examination approved by the Board. It seems likely that the MBLEx exam will qualify, but it is best if you contact the Board to be sure.

Examination Requirements

The Oklahoma Advisory Board of Massage Therapy has approved the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) to meet the examination requirement. Those who meet the Oklahoma massage therapy license requirement may download and complete the massage license application.

If you have not yet taken the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam and are planning to seek licensure in Oklahoma, simply select this state when registering for the MBLEx, and they will send your scores to the Oklahoma Advisory Board of Massage Therapy when you pass.

Key Strategies for MBLEx Success

Aspiring massage therapists in Oklahoma will find that thorough preparation for the MBLEx is key to their success. Taking multiple MBLEx practice tests is one of the best strategies to become familiar with the exam’s layout and question styles. This approach not only deepens understanding but also strengthens self-assurance, paving the way for a confident performance in the actual examination.

Massage Therapy Schools in Oklahoma

Choosing the right massage school for prospective massage therapists in Oklahoma is a critical step in their career journey. Here are reputable schools from different regions in Oklahoma:

North - Clary Sage College (Tulsa, OK): Clary Sage College stands out for its innovative approach to massage therapy education. With state-of-the-art facilities and experienced instructors, students benefit from hands-on training in a supportive environment.
South - Moore Norman Technology Center (Norman, OK): Moore Norman Technology Center in Norman offers a comprehensive massage therapy program with a focus on integrative wellness. Students here have access to cutting-edge resources and facilities, including a fully equipped massage clinic where they can gain practical experience under the guidance of seasoned professionals.
East - Tulsa Community College (Tulsa, OK): As the largest community college in Oklahoma, Tulsa Community College (TCC) offers a massage therapy program combining rigorous academic coursework and hands-on training. What sets TCC apart is its strong emphasis on diversity and cultural competence.
West - Redlands Community College (El Reno, OK): Redlands Community College in El Reno boasts a massage therapy program known for its strong clinical focus. Students here can gain practical experience through internships at local healthcare facilities and rehabilitation centers.
Central - Canadian Valley Technology Center (Chickasha, OK): The Canadian Valley Technology Center in Chickasha offers a massage therapy program tailored to the needs of adult learners and working professionals. Students can pursue their education with flexible scheduling options and accelerated programs while balancing other commitments.

Right now, it is recommended that massage therapists in Oklahoma need to complete a 500-hour program to be qualified for work in the state. In the meantime, we recommend discussing this topic with schools that offer massage therapy training.

Completing a program at one of the massage colleges in Oklahoma helps prepare you to be successful as a massage therapist. Massage therapy school graduates in Oklahoma have seen success in health care and spas.

Insurance Requirements

Oklahoma mandates that all licensed massage therapists maintain liability insurance. While Oklahoma does not specify a minimum coverage amount, a typical recommendation is $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate. This insurance covers professional and general liability, ensuring you're protected in cases of professional errors and premises-related incidents. Applicants must provide proof of current professional liability insurance.

How Much Does Oklahoma Massage Insurance Cost?

1 year full-time Professional Rate \$ 169 /1yr Cost to you: $0.46/day
2 year full-time professional rate \$ 299 /2yr Cost to you: $0.41/day
1 year part-time professional rate \$ 159 /1yr Cost to you: $0.43/day

License Renewals

Renewing your massage therapy license in Oklahoma is key to maintaining your professional status. Here's what to expect:

License Renewal Steps:

Accumulate Continuing Education Units (CEUs): Accumulate 5 continuing education units (CEUs) per year based on your current license to meet renewal requirements.
Submit Renewal Application: Complete the renewal application and pay the initial fee of $100 for 2 years.
Additional Fee for Out-of-State Education: If your education was obtained from out-of-state, include an additional $15 fee for reciprocity.
Watch for Expiration: Be mindful of the expiration date to avoid late penalties. A late penalty of $10 applies the day after the expiration date.
Additional Fees for Lost Documents: If you lose your renewal form, expect a $10 fee for a duplicate license or lost renewal form.

All Oklahoma massage therapy licenses expire on the last day of the birth month of the licensee. Licenses can be renewed for one year or two years. The following must be done to complete your renewal application: Complete the renewal application attached to the bottom of your license.

Read also: Sports Massage for Two

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements:

To maintain your massage therapy license in Oklahoma, you must complete continuing education to stay current with industry developments. Every year, you must complete 5 hours of continuing education. These courses help you enhance your skills, stay updated on best practices, and provide the best possible care to your clients.

Complete 5 continuing education credit hours per year. Please inquire directly with your state and local boards to verify requirements and regulations, as this may have changed.

MMIP offers 50 hours of free online continuing education when you sign up for a policy.

Transfer of License and License Reciprocity

For massage therapists seeking to transfer their license to Oklahoma or understand the state's reciprocity policies, here's what you need to know: Applicants may also apply for licensure by reciprocity.

License Transfer Methods:

The state accepts the curriculum of other states if the individual holds a state license; otherwise, proof of 500 hours of training is required.
License reciprocity may be granted by the state board of cosmetology and barbering without examination. Applicants must submit the required application and fees ($15).
Reciprocity applicants must request a Certification of Records from the state board or appropriate licensing agency where they hold a current license. This document includes licensing history, completed hours, and official state seal.
Applicants from non-licensing states must also provide proof of completing 500 hours of school instruction. Oklahoma only accepts hours from other state boards or appropriate licensing agencies.
Upon application acceptance, applicants are notified of the scheduled date and time for the board's sanitation and safety examination.

Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact)

About IMpact:

The Interstate Massage Compact, known as IMpact, allows licensed massage therapists to practice in all states that join the compact. This initiative simplifies practicing in multiple states, requiring only one multistate license.

Oklahoma's Participation:

Oklahoma does not currently have the IMpact enacted.

Scope of Practice

A. 1. Use the title of massage therapist;

Represent himself or herself to be a massage therapist;
Use any other title, words, abbreviations, letters, figures, signs or devices that indicate the person is a massage therapist; or
Utilize the terms "massage", "massage therapy" or "massage therapist" when advertising or printing promotional material.

B. A person shall not maintain, manage or operate a massage therapy school offering education, instruction or training in massage therapy unless the school is a licensed massage therapy school pursuant to Section 7 of this act.

C. Individuals practicing massage therapy under the Massage Therapy Practice Act shall not perform any of the following:

Diagnosis of illness or disease;
High-velocity, low-amplitude thrust;
Electrical stimulation;
Application of ultrasound;
Use of any technique that interrupts or breaks the skin; or
Prescribing of medicines.

D. Nothing in the Massage Therapy Practice Act shall be construed to prevent:

Qualified members of other recognized professions who are licensed or regulated under Oklahoma law from rendering services within the scope of the license of the person, provided the person does not represent himself or herself as a massage therapist. A physician or other licensed health care provider providing health care services within the scope of practice of the physician or provider shall not be required to be licensed by or registered with the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering;
Students from rendering massage therapy services within the course of study when enrolled at a licensed massage therapy school;
Visiting massage therapy instructors from another state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or any foreign nation from teaching massage therapy, provided the instructor is duly licensed or registered, if required, and is qualified in the instructor's place of residence for the practice of massage therapy;
Any nonresident person holding a current license, registration or certification in massage therapy from another state or recognized national certification system determined as acceptable by the Board when temporarily present in this state from providing massage therapy services as a part of an emergency response team working in conjunction with disaster relief officials or at special events such as conventions, sporting events, educational field trips, conferences, traveling shows or exhibitions;
Physicians or other health care professionals from appropriately referring to duly licensed massage therapists or limit in any way the right of direct access of the public to licensed massage therapists; or
The practice of any person in this state who uses touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement in the body as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement while engaged within the scope of practice of a profession with established standards and ethics, provided that the services are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy. Practices shall include but are not limited to the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education, Rolf Movement Integration by the Rolf Institute, the Trager Approach of movement education, and Body-Mind Centering. Practitioners shall be recognized by or meet the established standards of either a professional organization or credentialing agency that represents or certifies the respective practice based on a minimal level of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards.

E. A physician or other licensed health care provider providing health care services within their scope of practice shall not be required to be licensed or registered with the State Board of Cosmetology.

The Significance of Board Certification

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) is very well known in the massage therapy industry. The NCBTMB confers Board Certification. While Board Certification does not confer the legal right to practice in states that regulate the profession, in many cases, it means that a higher standard has been met.

Meeting Educational Requirements: NCBTMB Schools

The prerequisite is education. A student should plan to enroll in a program that is, at the minimum, 500 hours. It should have an NCBTMB code. NCBTMB assigned schools are schools that have requested review and been determined to meet curricular requirements. There are currently seven Oklahoma schools that have been assigned NCBTMB codes.

Assigned schools may include as few as 500 hours in their programs; graduates can pursue the additional hours required for certification through accredited schools or through continuing education providers that have been approved by the NCBTMB. If a student graduates from a non-approved program, the only way he or she can achieve eligibility is through portfolio review.

Pursuing Board Certification: Meeting the Recognized Competency Examination in Massage Therapy Requirement

One prerequisite requirement to Board Certification is 750 hours of education (or the equivalent). The 750 hours is higher than what a majority of states currently require. However, it is on a par with a recent Oklahoma proposal: that licensure would be based on passing a national examination that required the equivalent of at least 750 hours of education.

Another Board Certification requirement: passing an examination. Candidates must pass the Board Certification Examination for Massage and Bodywork (BCEMB). The largest portion of the test (43% -46%) covers technique and application. Planning, evaluation, and documentation covers another 34% - 37%.. Communication, law and ethics also receive coverage. The NCBTMB has provided a detailed content outline and a candidate handbook; the handbook can be accessed from the “tools for certification” section of the Board Certification page.

The NCBMTB carries out a background check. A certificate candidate must also maintain CPR certification and agree to uphold a professional code of ethics and oppose human trafficking. CPR certification can be obtained through the following organizations (or through instructors certified by the following organizations):

American Heart Association (AHA)
American Red Cross (ARC)
American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)

A massage therapist would not actually achieve Board Certification until he or she had practiced at the professional level for 250 hours and for a period of no less than six months.

Staying Current

State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

Professional organization membership can help a massage therapist stay on top of new developments.

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