MDMassageData
Reading environment
United States Licensing Atlas

Wisconsin Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements

Wisconsin generally requires a Massage Therapist or Bodywork Therapist license. The standard path includes qualifying education, a board-approved national examination, the Wisconsin jurisprudence examination, current CPR/AED certification, liability insurance, and the state application.

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

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board
WI · licensing record1 MI ≈ 1.2 PX
Albers equal-area · 89.9°W · SP 43.3/46.3°N · footprint 273 px · MASS-limitedFull Wisconsin plate on the state guide →

Overview

State massage therapist or bodywork therapist license required

Last verified 2026-07-29

Wisconsin Statutes section 460.17 limits local regulation of practice by a state licensee while preserving specified enforcement authority.

Before you act

Details worth confirming

Requirements can change, and some official materials differ on narrow details. Use the current official instructions when applying or renewing.

Wisconsin education hours depend on the application path

The standard application information describes 600 classroom hours, while current reciprocity guidance permits a 500-hour route for one substantially equivalent out-of-state pathway. Confirm the application class and curriculum documentation DSPS requires.

Regulatory authority

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy Affiliated Credentialing Board

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
Massage Therapist or Bodywork Therapist
Credential requirement
A state license is generally required to practice massage therapy or bodywork therapy, subject to statutory exceptions and the local-authority limits in section 460.17.
Minimum education
600 hours
Approved education
Applicants must graduate from an approved school of massage therapy or bodywork therapy or complete an approved training program; the school submits Form 2962 (program curriculum) to DSPS. DSPS’s earlier application instructions stated at least 600 classroom hours; the current pages do not state an hour figure.
Examination
Applicants pass one approved national examination — NCBTMB, NCCAOM or the FSMTB's MBLEx — with results sent directly to DSPS, and the Wisconsin statutes-and-rules examination (40 questions, 85 percent to pass; a retake costs $75).
MBLEx relationship
MBLEx is an accepted national examination option, not the sole national examination named by DSPS.
Application
Apply through LicensE (forms are on AccessGov) with proof of current AED/CPR certification from an approved provider, a certificate of malpractice liability insurance (student policies are not accepted), the school's Form 2962 curriculum submission, national-examination results and the Wisconsin jurisprudence examination.
Application fees
DSPS's credential fee table lists a $75 initial fee for a Massage Therapist or Bodywork Therapist license; the LicensE application calculates the total and may add other fees.
Background check or fingerprinting
The reviewed application materials require criminal-history disclosure and supporting records when applicable. No universal fingerprint requirement was identified in the reviewed current profession materials.
Reciprocity or endorsement
Reciprocity requires a current, active massage therapist or bodywork therapist credential from another state, territory or country whose requirements are substantially equivalent; DSPS legal review decides whether reciprocity is available, and applicants from ineligible states apply for initial licensure. The reciprocity page states no hour figure.
Additional requirements
Applicants and renewing licensees maintain current CPR/AED certification and professional liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate under the reviewed instructions.

Renewal

Renewal and continuing education

Cycle
The credential renews biennially and expires February 28 of odd-numbered years.
Continuing education
24 hrs
Renewal fee
DSPS lists a $75 renewal fee, due by February 28 of odd-numbered years; business and health credentials renewed after expiration incur a $25 late fee.
Required topics
At least two of the 24 hours must address professional ethics.

Practice information

Scope, titles, and local requirements

Scope of practice
Wisconsin Statutes chapter 460 and administrative rules MTBT 1–7 govern massage therapy and bodywork therapy practice.
Protected titles
The state credential protects practice and representation as a massage therapist or bodywork therapist, subject to chapter 460.
Restrictions
Licensees must maintain current CPR/AED and liability insurance and comply with board conduct and practice rules.
Municipal or local requirements
Section 460.17 limits local regulation of practice by state licensees while preserving specified local enforcement authority for unlicensed practice and employment.
Establishments and other regulated activities
This record does not establish a separate statewide massage-establishment credential; address-specific business, zoning, and generally applicable requirements still require separate review.
Practitioner notes
Use DSPS's profession pages and LicensE for current fees and forms. The board's CPR rulemaking (SS 022-26) and education rulemaking (MTBT 3) are not yet in effect.

Authoritative sources

Official record evidence

Change history

Public record revisions

No revision to this record has been published yet. Its current review dates are in the overview above, and its official sources are listed below.