Board of Massage Licensure

Continuing Education

Failure to comply with continuing education requirements may result in disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant. The disciplinary action will be reported on the Department of Health license verification web site.

Continuing education is mandatory for licensed massage therapist.  Each licensed massage therapist must attend and complete twenty-four (24) hours of massage therapy related continuing education in courses approved by the Board on or before December 31st of 2004 and again every two (2) calendar years thereafter (for example January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2006 and then again from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008, and so on) for as long as the therapist’s license remains active.  The due date for completion of the continuing education hours is the same for every licensed massage therapist in this state.”

New licensees will have his or her required continuing education hours pro-rated and for those obtaining a license during September, October, November and December of the second year of the cycle must obtain four (4) hours of continuing education in the subject areas required by subparagraphs (1) (b) and (1) (c) which are the two (2) hours pertaining to federal and Tennessee statutes and rules concerning massage therapist and establishments and two (2) hours pertaining to the management of practicing massage therapy, or to professional ethics, or to substance abuse.  New licensees are no longer exempt during the first year of licensure.

New Licensee Pro-Ration Chart – Persons who become licensed will have their required continuing education hours pro-rated over the remaining months of the two (2) year cycle in which they become licensed according to the following chart:

Each massage therapist must retain independent documentation of completion of all continuing education courses for a period of four (4) years.  You must submit proof of obtaining the required continuing education if requested by the Board, during its verification process.  Do not submit course certificates with your renewal.

Effective July 24, 2007, all coursework intended to fulfill the required two hours of Continuing Education pertaining to Tennessee statutes and rules must be approved by the Massage Licensure Board.  This applies to all providers, including those listed below.

The following providers/courses shall constitute Board approved continuing education courses except for courses pertaining to Tennessee statutes and rules:

• American Heart Association course in CPR
• American Red Cross courses in HIV, CPR, or Standard First Aid
• Colleges or universities accredited by the United States Department of Education as described in Section 0870-1-.12 (1) of the massage rules
• Formal educational courses relating to the theory or clinical application of massage therapy sponsored by an accredited college/university or institutions approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Board of Regents or its equivalent in another state
• Course providers approved by the NCBTMB or FSMTB

Continuing Education Via Live Interactive Webinars

The Board was asked to define what was acceptable to be considered and counted as a "live interactive webinar" at the October 27, 2014 Tennessee Massage Licensure Board Meeting.  After a brief discussion, Ms. Cross made a motion for a policy to be created defining a live interactive webinar as a course/class where the instructor is presenting a real time presentation through audio visual and interacts with the participate with question and answer periods throughout the presentation. Mr. Velker seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Ms. Cross made a motion, seconded by Ms. Jaggers for the Board’s definition to become effective January 2, 2015. The motion carried.

Continuing Education Offered at Approved Tennessee Massage Educational Programs

Most approved Tennessee Massage Educational Programs offer the required two (2) hours of Tennessee Law and two (2) hours of Ethics, Practice Management, or Substance Abuse for continuing education. Please visit the Educational Program website and contact the schools regarding additional continuing education classes/courses that might be offered.  

Massage Board Approved Continuing Education for 2019/2020