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Trades license portability
Massage Therapist license reciprocity by state
Massage Therapist licenses are broadly portable across the US — 40 of 51 states accept transfers with either direct recognition or licensure by endorsement. Tier classifications below come from each state's licensing board; click into any row for the source language and current fees.
check_circle
1 states recognize
assignment_turned_in
39 via endorsement
edit_note
8 require exam
block
2 not recognized
remove_circle_outline
1 no license required
Reciprocity tier legend
check_circle
Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
assignment_turned_in
Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
edit_note
Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
block
Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
remove_circle_outline
No license required
State does not license this profession.
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Unclear
State policy ambiguous or silent. Contact licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row links to the full massage therapist profile for that state — exam costs, application fees, licensing board contact, and the source language behind the tier classification.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alabama offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states with equal or greater requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Alaska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alaska offers reciprocity with specific states, requiring a current license and substantially equal requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Arizona | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arizona offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with equivalent standards or NCBTMB certification. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | edit_note Exam required | Arkansas offers licensure by endorsement, but applicants must pass the state's Massage Therapy Law examination. | Full page arrow_outward |
| California | block Not recognized | California does not have reciprocity with any other state for massage therapists. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Colorado | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Colorado offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent standards and practice requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Connecticut offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting practice, exam, and state requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Delaware | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Delaware offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent standards, national exam, and practice. | Full page arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | DC offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state licensees with comparable requirements and an approved exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Florida | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Florida offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees with practice, national exam, and a Florida laws course. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Georgia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Georgia offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent education and board-approved exam requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | edit_note Exam required | Hawaii has no reciprocity; out-of-state licensees must meet Hawaii's education and examination standards. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Idaho | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Idaho offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees with equivalent or higher standards and good standing. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Illinois | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Illinois offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees with substantially equivalent requirements at issuance. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Indiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Indiana offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent education, exam, and character requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Iowa | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Iowa offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting similar or exceeding education and exam standards. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Kansas | block Not recognized | Kansas has no statewide reciprocity; therapists must meet local municipality requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Kentucky offers reciprocity/endorsement for out-of-state licensees with equivalent or stricter standards. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Louisiana offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with equivalent standards and national exam, or via Welcome Home Act. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Maine | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maine offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting similar or exceeding education and exam standards. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Maryland | edit_note Exam required | Maryland offers endorsement, but requires passing a state-specific Jurisprudence Examination. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Massachusetts offers reciprocal licensure for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent standards and national exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Michigan | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Michigan offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees whose credentials align with state standards. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | remove_circle_outline No license | Minnesota has no statewide license, so reciprocity is handled at the municipal level. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | edit_note Exam required | Mississippi requires out-of-state licensees to pass the Mississippi State Law Exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Missouri | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Missouri offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with substantially equivalent licensing requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Montana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Montana offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent or greater requirements and good standing. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nebraska offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees demonstrating 1,000 hours of education/training. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Nevada | edit_note Exam required | Nevada's compact is inactive; out-of-state licensees must currently meet Nevada's education and examination requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Hampshire offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with similar requirements, including work experience alternatives. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Jersey offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees with similar requirements and practice experience. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | edit_note Exam required | New Mexico has no reciprocity; out-of-state licensees must meet all New Mexico licensure requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New York | edit_note Exam required | New York has no true reciprocity, requiring out-of-state licensees to pass the New York State exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | North Carolina offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state licensees, despite no direct reciprocity. | Full page arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | North Dakota offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with similar requirements, practice, and exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Ohio | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Ohio offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees meeting specific education, practice, and national exam requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oklahoma offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees whose qualifications meet or exceed state requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Oregon | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oregon offers endorsement/reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with equivalent requirements; exam may be waived. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Pennsylvania offers reciprocity/endorsement for out-of-state licensees with substantially equivalent requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Rhode Island offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equal or greater requirements and national exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | South Carolina offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equal or greater standards and national exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | South Dakota offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equal or greater requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Tennessee offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with equivalent standards, plus a state-specific course. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Texas | edit_note Exam required | Texas offers endorsement, but requires passing the Texas Jurisprudence Exam for out-of-state licensees. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Utah | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Utah offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent requirements, national exam, and practice. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Vermont | check_circle Recognized | Vermont does not require specific education or exams; out-of-state licensees can register via verification. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Virginia offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent education and examination standards. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Washington | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Washington offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees, requiring a jurisprudence exam and equivalent education. | Full page arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | West Virginia offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with equivalent requirements and a national exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Wisconsin offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees with equivalent requirements, including national certification or exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Wyoming may grant a license without examination to out-of-state licensees in good standing. | Full page arrow_outward |
Other profession reciprocity guides
Each profession has its own state-by-state reciprocity matrix.
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