CE requirements for massage therapists are different in every state. New York wants 36 hours. Some states want zero. If you do not know your state's rules, you could end up scrambling at renewal time, or worse, paying late fees.
On top of state rules, many LMTs also hold NCBTMB Board Certification. That adds a second set of requirements: 48 hours every four years, with at least 24 in hands-on coursework.
Here is what every US state and DC requires for massage therapy CE, current as of 2026.
States that require CE hours
The following 40 states require massage therapists to complete continuing education hours for license renewal. Hours are listed per renewal cycle.
States with no CE requirement
The following 11 states do not currently require continuing education for massage therapy license renewal. You still need to renew on time and pay the renewal fee.
| State | Fee |
|---|---|
| California | $150 |
| Colorado | $100 |
| Kansas | $0 |
| Maine | $100 |
| Massachusetts | $150 |
| Michigan | $75 |
| Minnesota | $0 |
| Ohio | $75 |
| Utah | $58 |
| Vermont | $0 |
| Wyoming | $0 |
What to know
- 1Most states require 12 to 24 CE hours per renewal cycle. Some states need up to 36.
- 2Ethics and boundaries are a common required category. Many states want 2 to 4 hours in ethics each cycle.
- 3In-person requirements vary. Some states require a set number of hands-on hours. Others accept all online.
- 4Requirements can change. Several states have updated CE rules in recent years. Always check with your board.
How to track your CE hours
Most people use spreadsheets or paper folders. Both work until you lose the file or forget to update it. If you hold both a state license and NCBTMB certification, it gets messy fast.
RubCE is a free app built for massage therapists. It loads your state's requirements, lets you log courses by category, and pings you before your license expires. Available on iPhone and Android.