Massage Therapist in Arkansas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AR. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Arkansas.
Jobs (AR)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a massage therapist in Arkansas
To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Arkansas, individuals must complete a minimum of 500 hours of training from a state-approved massage therapy school. Applicants must pass a licensing exam, such as the MBLEx, or the NCETM/NCETMB, and a state examination verifying knowledge of the Massage Therapy Act and rules. The application process includes a state and federal criminal background check, proof of being at least 18 years old, and payment of fees to the Arkansas Department of Health, Massage Therapy Section. While Arkansas has enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact), it is not yet fully implemented for multistate licenses.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arkansas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Arkansas requirements
| Licensing body | Arkansas Department of Health, Massage Therapy Section |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 500-hour training program |
| Exam | Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) or National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCETMB) ($265) |
| Application fee | $180 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 18.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Arkansas offers licensure by endorsement, but applicants must pass the state's Massage Therapy Law examination.Reciprocal states: Arkansas offers reciprocity if the applicant holds a substantially similar license from another U.S. jurisdiction with equivalent or greater requirements (500 hours of training). The applicant must also pass the Arkansas Massage Therapy Law examination. Arkansas does not offer direct license transfers, but rather licensure by endorsement. |
| Notes | Minimum age 18. Requires a state and federal criminal background check. Must also complete a CPR course. Only 6 of the 18 CE hours can be from online/in-home courses. Arkansas has also enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact), but it is not yet active for multistate licenses as more states need to join. |
Source: Arkansas Department of Health, Massage Therapy Section
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Arkansas? See whether Arkansas recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Massage Therapist license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleArkansas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+15.4%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Massage Therapist head-to-head
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