Texas Massage CEU

Renewing Your Texas Massage License

Confused about your Texas Massage CEU requirements?

Whether you are just out of school and this is your first renewal, new to the state of Texas, licensed for years heard about some renewal changes and the need for a human trafficking course, or just do not remember what they said in school about your license renewal- you have finally found a place with correct answers.

We know renewals can be confusing and bring out the procrastinator in many of us. Not only will we help you get the answers to the question you have, but we will help you quickly get on the correct path to getting your requirements completed so you can renew your license with less stress.

We also made a free Texas Massage License Renewal Checklist to help guide you through the process. You can grab that now, or at the bottom of this page.

Texas Massage License Renewal Checklist

Next, let’s start off with some basic license renewal information.

Renewal Requirements

How many hours of continuing education am I required to complete?

Massage therapists must complete at least 12 hours of TDLR-approved or recognized continuing education to renew a license.

Must/Can I take hands-on courses? 

You are not required to complete hands-on/live CE courses, but you are permitted to if you prefer to take live courses from an approved provider as long as they meet the appropriate subject matter guidelines.

Can I take hands-on courses online?

The Board website states: “Continuing education that otherwise meets the standards, but is offered or presented online or by correspondence is acceptable only if the subject matter is not massage therapy techniques or manipulation of soft tissue.”

Does the Texas board approve individual Texas Massage CEU courses?

No. They do not approve individual CE courses. They do approve providers and have a list of appropriate subject matter. Our Texas Massage Continuing Education Provider number is CE2104.

What courses are required to renew my license? 

As of September 2020, an HHS-approved human trafficking course is now required for renewing a Texas massage therapy license. We offer this course in our 12-hour Texas Massage CEU package and as a stand-alone course.

I have completed my Texas Massage CEU requirements, where do I go to renew my Texas massage license? 

You can renew your massage license here.

What is the current fee to renew my Texas massage license? 

Currently, the renewal fee is $75.

When is my renewal deadline or expiration date? How can I find this information?

Texas has a rolling renewal. This means that most people do not share a renewal deadline. So if your colleague and you likely do not share the same expiration date. 

You can check your license for the expiration date, or you can check your expiration date here.

I am ready to take my continuing education exam, but I do not know my Texas massage license number. Where can I find that? 

You can check your license for your license number, or you can look up your license number here.

What happens if I missed my renewal deadline, or my license has expired?

It varies based on how long it has been since your license expiration date.

If it has been 90 days or less, you may renew your license by paying 1.5 times the renewal fee.

If it has been 90 days, but less than 18 months, you may renew your license by 2 times the renewal fee.

If your license has been expired for at least 18 months but less than three years, upon approval by the executive director, you may renew the license by paying to the department a renewal fee equal to two times the renewal fee. 

How do I renew my Texas massage therapy instructor license?

There are no additional continuing education requirements to renew your Texas massage instructor license. However, a current massage therapy license is required to renew an instructor license. In addition, there is a $100 renewal fee.

Human Trafficking Course Training Requirement

Does the human trafficking requirement count for CE credit to renew my massage therapy license?

Our human trafficking course was approved by the Texas HHS on 6/3/2021.

Since we are also a massage board-approved provider (CE2104), it is our current understanding that our course can be used for 1 CE credit as part of your required 12 CE hours.

If you also need to renew a license with the Texas Cosmetology Board, here is a Texas Cosmetology Continuing Education package that includes a human trafficking course.

Is your human trafficking course approved by the HHS or TDLR?

Yes, our course is approved by the Texas HHS (Health and Human Services). House Bill 2059 requires Health and Human Services (HHS) to approve training courses on human trafficking.

The Texas massage board does not approve the human trafficking course (or any other courses). They only approve providers. Our Texas Massage Continuing Education Provider number is CE2104.

Our human trafficking course can be purchased alone, or as a package.

You can verify approval of our human trafficking course, click here.

Will a human trafficking course be a requirement for each license renewal?

I am unsure at this time if this will be a requirement for each renewal. I will update this as additional information is provided.

Where can I find more information about this requirement?

Information page for the HHS’s Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Training.

To get help or report trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

COVID-19

Have there been any changes to the renewal due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

The board did not waive any hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic since Texas massage therapists may complete all Texas massage CEU courses online.

Approved Provider Questions

Are you an approved provider for the Texas massage board?

Yes. Here is our Texas massage provider number: CE2104. You can verify our approval here:

Search for a TDLR-approved continuing education provider

Do you report my completed credits or send my certificates to the massage board in Texas or TDLR?

No, the Texas massage board/advisory bar does not require approved providers to report completed credits. Please keep your certificates if you are audited at the time of your renewal.

Audit information:

“TDLR uses an audit system for continuing education reporting. Each licensed massage therapist is responsible for maintaining a record of his or her continuing education experiences. The certificates, diplomas, or other documentation verifying continuing education hours should not be forwarded to TDLR at the time of renewal unless the licensee has been selected for audit.

TDLR will select for audit a random sample of licensed massage therapists for each renewal month. If selected for an audit, then you will be notified at the time of your renewal. You will be required to submit copies of certificates, transcripts or other documentation to verify attendance, participation and completion of continuing education requirements. If selected for audit, all documentation must be provided at the time of renewal before the license will be renewed.”

Are you an NCBTMB provider?

No, Advanced Massage Techniques, Inc. is not a provider for the NCBTMB. We currently only seek individual state board approvals.

Texas Advisory Board/TDLR Contact Information

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation – Massage Therapy

PO Box 12157

Austin, TX 78711

(800) 803-9202 [in state only]

(512) 463-6599

Fax: (512) 463-9468

Relay Texas-TDD: (800) 735-2989

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/help/

Renewal Checklist

1. Complete all continuing education requirements
   • 12 hours of continuing education from a Texas-approved provider
   • Must be appropriate subject matter
   • All can be online
2. Complete the required Human Trafficking Prevention Training
   • The course must be approved by Texas HHS
   • Our human trafficking course is approved by Texas HHS and can be taken as part of our 12-hour Texas Massage CEU package or as an individual course
3. Complete an online renewal application
4. Pay the $75 renewal fee
5. Your license will not be issued until you have completed the fingerprinting requirement 
6. If you are an instructor complete the renewal application
   • Pay the $100 renewal fee

Click here to download or print your own Texas Massage License Renewal Checklist

Still have questions about completing your Texas Massage CEU courses?

If we did not answer your question above about completing your Texas Massage CEU courses or your renewal, let us know. We would be happy to help. If you are looking for information about getting licensed in Texas, we have all that information below.

Texas Massage Licensing FAQ

I am moving to Texas. How do I begin the process?

Welcome to Texas! Getting licensed in a new state can be stressful, but we have compiled some the most common questions and answers we have had over the last decade and answered them below.

The Texas Massage Board on the TDLR website has a page for out-of-state licensees looking to get licensed in Texas. It is the next-best-place to continue your licensing journey after you leave this website.

It has a helpful drop-down menu to help you determine the basic steps you need to obtain a license based on your current status.

What are the requirements to get a license?

Minimum Education Hours

Varies. Texas previously required 300 hours, but now requires 500 hours. See their application for more information if you have less than 500 hours. I am not aware of how Texas handles those grandfathered without training.

Licensing Exam

Texas accepts the MBLEx exam. There is some additional information below on additional accepted exams.  

Does Texas accept the MBLEx? 

Yes. For some applications and situations, the exam needs to be completed within the last 2 years.

Does Texas accept the NCETMB, New York, Hawaii or other state massage exams? 

Their website states: 

“If the state where your license was issued uses a different licensing examination, please include as much information about the exam as you can, including your scores, and dates that you took the exam. Your credentials will be evaluated on an individual basis.”

The website also states that Texas does not accept the BCETMB.

Jurisprudence Test 

This is an online test over the Texas laws and regulations.

What is a jurisprudence test?

It is an online exam and the content is based on the state rules and laws relating to the practice of massage therapy in Texas. Basically, it tests you over the laws and rules governing the practice of massage in Texas.

How do I take the jurisprudence test?

Sign up here.

The fee for the juris exam is $34.

Applications

You can apply online, or send in your application in the mail. Both have their pros and cons. Choose whichever is best for you.

Paper application

Online application

Massage License Application Fee 

The massage license application fee is $100.

Additional Requirements

As part of the application process, you will need to submit state verifications, school transcripts, and exam score requests. Typically, each of these requires a fee to the state where you are licensed, your massage school, and the administrator of the licensing exam you took (example: MBLEx).

Fingerprints

Applicants must submit fingerprints for a background check. Once your completed application is received by TDLR, instructions on how to schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted will be emailed to you.

You must include the agency service number when scheduling a fingerprint appointment.

TDLR will not be able to accept your fingerprints if you scheduled the appointment without the correct service code, and you will have to do it again.