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North Dakota massage licensing record

North Dakota requires a board license to practice, teach massage techniques for compensation, operate a compliant massage establishment, or use protected massage-therapist titles.

Statewide requirements and local regulation are identified separately. This record is general information, not legal advice.

North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy

State licensing guide

Overview

State massage therapist license required

Last verified 2026-07-28 · next review 2026-10-28

State law regulates practitioners and establishments; generally applicable local business, zoning, building, and health requirements may still apply.

Regulatory authority

North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy

Visit the official authority

Local business, facility, zoning, and professional rules may apply in addition to statewide requirements. Confirm current requirements with the responsible authority before acting.

Entry requirements

Education, examination, and application

Credential
Licensed Massage Therapist
Minimum education
750 hours
Approved education
Applicants present credentials totaling at least 750 hours under Article 49-02. Current rules require supervised instruction and hands-on practical training; the board publishes the detailed breakdown.
Examination
The board accepts MBLEx, the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage, or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and administers a jurisprudence examination after the application is complete.
MBLEx relationship
MBLEx is one accepted national examination option.
Application
Submit the board application and $150 fee, school transcript and affidavit, diploma, examination score, compliance affidavit, identity evidence, photograph, and verifications from other jurisdictions. The board then supplies the jurisprudence and background-check materials.
Application fees
The statutory and board application fee is $150. Criminal-history processing costs are paid separately by the applicant.
Background check or fingerprinting
Every applicant completes statewide and nationwide criminal-history checks; the board supplies two fingerprint cards and the required form after the application file is complete.
Reciprocity or endorsement
Reciprocity is available to an applicant licensed in good standing who practiced at least two of the last three years, completed acceptable education and examination, and passes the required criminal-history review.
Additional requirements
The applicant must be at least 18, meet board education and examination requirements, complete the jurisprudence and criminal-history processes, and practice through a compliant establishment.

Renewal

Renewal and continuing education

Cycle
Licenses run on a two-year cycle based on the license number: odd-numbered licenses renew in odd years and even-numbered licenses in even years.
Deadline model
Renewal and CE reporting are due by February 28 in the applicable odd or even year.
Fees
The board's 2026/2028 renewal form charges a $200 license-renewal fee. The statute authorizes $200 or a lesser amount established by the board.
Continuing education
For licensees with fewer than 15 years of active practice, 24 hours are required every two years, including at least 12 classroom hands-on hours; no more than half may be remote. Reduced requirements apply after 15 and 25 years of active practice.
Required subjects
The second renewal requires at least 3 ethics hours for the standard 24-hour cohort; at least half of each applicable requirement is classroom hands-on.
Documentation
The board conducts random renewal audits; licensees retain their own completion evidence and follow the board's approved-course rules.
Carryover
CE credit may not carry into the next renewal period.
Late renewal
The 2026/2028 renewal form adds a $50 late fee when postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. Section 43-25-09 permits renewal within two years subject to current requirements; practice remains unauthorized while expired.
Inactive license
The board retains license records through five years after inactive status; reactivation is governed by the board process and current requirements.

Practice information

Scope, titles, and local requirements

Scope of practice
Chapter 43-25 defines massage as structured touch and specified soft-tissue assessment, treatment, pressure, movement, tools, topical, and temperature applications while excluding diagnosis and services reserved to other licensed professions.
Protected titles
Massage therapist, L.M.T., M.T., and similar titles are protected.
Restrictions
Licensees must remain within the defined massage scope, comply with board rules, and may not allow unlicensed massage in an establishment.
Municipal or local requirements
No broad state-law preemption of generally applicable local business, zoning, building, or health rules was identified.
Establishments and other regulated activities
Massage establishments must meet board requirements and are subject to inspection; the board publishes establishment inspection resources.
Practitioner notes
Use the board's verification and signed complaint processes for current credential status and regulatory concerns.

Authoritative sources

Official record evidence

Change history

Public record revisions

Future verified changes will be listed from this Git-backed record.