Massage Therapist in Kansas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KS. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Kansas.
Jobs (KS)
10-yr job growth
Time to complete
route How to become a massage therapist in Kansas
To become a massage therapist in Kansas, individuals must navigate a patchwork of municipal regulations as there is no statewide licensing. Most cities that do regulate massage therapy typically require at least 500 hours of education from an approved school and passing a national examination like the MBLEx. Additionally, applicants often need to be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and pass a background check. Requirements for reciprocity, application fees, and renewal cycles are determined by individual cities.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Kansas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Kansas requirements
| Licensing body | Varies by municipality; no statewide licensing body |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | Typically 500 hours of instruction from a recognized school, but varies by municipality |
| Exam | MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination) or equivalent national exam, if required by municipality |
| Notes | Kansas does not have a statewide licensing requirement for massage therapists. Licensing is handled at the municipal level, and requirements vary significantly by city. Common municipal requirements include a minimum age of 18, a high school diploma or GED, 500 hours of education, passing the MBLEx, and a background check. Some cities also require CPR and First Aid certification. Home-based massage therapy may be prohibited in some cities. There have been legislative attempts to establish statewide licensure, with a bill (SB 253) introduced in February 2025 that, if passed, would create a Board of Massage Therapy under the Kansas Board of Healing Arts and require 625 hours of education and a national exam. |
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?
- infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+15.4%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk