New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy
Massage and Bodywork Therapist Practioner

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Application Qualifications and Obtained by Methods

There are four (4) ways for an individual to obtain a Massage and Bodywork Therapist license. View the qualifications for each found below.

1. Obtain by Examination

   This method of application is for individuals who have passed either: an examination offered by National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Asian Bodywork Therapy examination; or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB).

   Click Here to Start Your Application

2. License for Current Practitioner
   (Read carefully before choosing this application type)

   License for Current Practitioner: This method of application is for individuals who are currently practicing massage and bodywork therapy; and,

   • have been practicing massage and bodywork therapy full-time for at least two (2) years or part-time for at least five (5) years, as of September 4, 2012.
     • Note: In order to qualify for a license as a current practitioner, you must have been working full-time (at least 500 hours a year) since September 4, 2010 or part-time (at least 250 hours a year) since September 4, 2007.
   • Completed at least 200 hours of education and training which consisted of anatomy and physiology, theory and practice, and ethics, of which 150 hours was in theory and practice.

   Click Here to Start Your Application

3. Obtain by Education

   This method of application is for individuals who completed a course of study in massage and bodywork therapy that was at least 500 hours. The 500 hours of education must have included:
   

   • 90 hours of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology
   • ethics and law;
   • theory and practice;
   • electives related to the practice of massage and bodywork therapy;
   • and at least 100 hours of clinical practice.

   The course of study must be taken in a school accredited or approved by:

   • the New Jersey Department of Education;
   • the New Jersey Department Labor and Workforce Development;
   • the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education;
   • or an agency of another state which substantially meets the requirements of the New Jersey Department of Education,
   • the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
   • or the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education.

   View Current List of Approved Schools

   An applicant for a license by education must arrange for his or her school to submit an official transcript directly to the Board. If the applicant is unable to arrange for his or her school to send transcripts because it is closed, the applicant can call 609-292-2253 or submit a Student Record Request Form to see if the transcripts are available through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
   PLEASE NOTE: Department of Labor and Workforce Development only has some transcripts for the Helma Institute of Massage Therapy located in Saddlebrook NJ and Garfield NJ.

   If the applicant is ultimately unable to make arrangements for transcripts to be sent directly to the Board, or if the school program that was attended does not have the requisite accreditation, the applicant may seek licensure by either examination or current practitioner (see requirements above).

   An individual who is currently enrolled in an accredited course of study may begin the application process; however, he or she will not be able to obtain a license until the course of study is completed and a transcript has been submitted to the Board.

   Click Here to Start Your Application

4. Obtain by Endorsement
   This method of application is for individuals who are licensed or certified as a massage and bodywork therapist in another state. Applicants using this method shall arrange for every state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia in which the applicant was ever licensed or certified to submit directly to the Board verification of licensure or certification in good standing.

   Click Here to Start Your Application