The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy was established in May of 2005 in an effort to protect the public from unqualified massage practitioners. The new Board established minimum educational requirements (500 hours) and approved massage licensing exams. The establishment of this Board and education requirements is helpful for massage therapists who want, or need, to move and apply for a massage license in another state.
For massage therapists moving to Georgia’s Southern neighbor, Florida, this blog will guide you all the way through the Florida licensing process. To set you on the right path I first have a few questions to ask you.
Have you completed 500 hours of massage education?
No. If you do not have 500 hours of education, you will need to complete this minimum education requirement before proceeding. Florida has strict guidelines about this requirement. They do accept any applicants with less than 500 hours of massage training. Contact the Florida Board of Massage to learn more about completing your 500 hours of education.
Yes. 500 hours is equal to the minimum requirement for Florida Massage License applicants. Time for another question.
Have you passed the NCETMB, NCETM, or the MBLEx?
No. You are required to complete one of the above exams before Florida will issue a massage license to you.
Not sure which massage licensing exam to take? Here is a little tip, the NCETMB is no longer offered, so I suggest preparing for the MBLEx.
Yes. Awesome! All of Georgia’s approved massage licensing exams are approved exams in Florida. I have one last question (I promise).
Do you have an active Georgia Massage license?
Yes. This is the best case senario. You are an endorsement candidate. You can get started on your 10 hour Florida Massage Laws and Rules course next. It comes with a step-by-step guide and checklist.
No. If you had a massage license recently, but let it lapse, or you never applied to the Georgia Board after completing 500 hours of training and taking a board-approved licensing exam, you are an examination candidate. Don’t worry, you do not need to take an exam again, It is just an important checkmark on your application. You can get started on your 10 hour Florida Massage Laws and Rules course next.
***On a side note. I have seen on another Florida CE provider website claim that Georgia is the only state to require licensed massage professionals to maintain their NCTMB credential. This is not true. Georgia also accepts the MBLEx as an approved licensing exam.
Please leave a comment below if you need clarification on something or have a more specific question. I’d be happy to help!
You may also send me an email: ivy@floridamassage.com.
I was looking into MMTC. For Massage therapist . I was inform they give Certificates and not license. Is That ok to use when transferring to Florida.
No, you will need a license to practice massage therapy legally in Florida.
Hello,
I have passed my Mblex just waiting to receive my license from NC.However, Im trying to gt licensed in GA. Please inform me on the steps and paper work I need to fill out to get this process rolling.
Sincerely Nichelle
The Georgia Board of Massage is the best place to find an updated application and that should contain all of the steps you need to complete. I am not aware of a checklist for GA.
Hey Ivy. I’m a Florida therapist, I want to transfer over to GA. I got my CEUs (Neuromuscular & Therapeutic massage) in Florida right before renawl. Instead of taking CEU’s in GA I was wondering do those credits transfer over( because I do have to renew my license by August 2019) I figure I’d definitely have to take GA laws and ethics. Do you know if my classes transfer over?
There are lots of FL licensees that have both GA and FL licenses. I wouldn’t anticipate any problems.
Georgia has different CE Requirements, and they are not easy to navigate. They do use CE Broker, like Florida, but their provider approval is a little more complicated in my opinion. This page has a little more information – http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/33
I’m moving to Ga from fl I’m a licensed massage therapist 30 years in fl .
Can I get a GA license with out taking a GA state board test ?
Since it was so long ago, I am going to assume you took the old FL state exam and not the NCETMB or MBLEx. And I am not sure that GA accepts that old exam. It is best for you to call the GA board office and talk to them about which exam you did take and if they accept it.
I am a Georgia massage therapist , licensed by Georgia. I did all my education in Florida including my NMT by Judith Walker. I have been in practice since 1990 and now thinking of moving to Florida. How difficult would it be for me to get a Florida license? jkb0918@aol.com
I don’t anticipate any problems for you.
Here is the checklist – https://www.floridamassage.com/license/
I have a question is it easier to get your massage therapy license in Florida and transfer to Georgia or get your massage therapy liscense in Georgia and transfer it back to Florida? I plan to be in between both states and wanted to know the best options.
I do not think there would be much of a difference, honestly. They have similar requirements and many massage therapists carry licenses in both those states.
I’m currently in school for Massage Therapy in GA and will be moving to Florida after I graduate and take my MBLEx, how would i go about transferring my license to Florida?
Hi Jenna!
Here is my page for transferring to Florida that is a little more updated – https://www.floridamassage.com/license/. I also have a website for the MBLEx if you are looking – http://www.massageexamacademy.com. Let me know if you have questions about either.
Ivy
Hello Ivy!
I have been practicing massage therapy in Georgia for 17 years. I was grandfathered in 2007 after the Georgia Board was regulated. I want to get my massage license from Florida. Do I need to take the Mblex foe Florida even though I was grandfathered in 17 years ago?
It is my understanding that all applicants must have completed a board-approved exam in order to get licensed. If you have any questions about your situation, I would contact the FL board office.
Hey, I’ve completed my schooling and passed my MBLEX in Florida but I recently relocated to Georgia. How would I go about transferring my license to Georgia ?
Here is the Georgia massage board website where you can look for applications. Just a heads up, their applications process is painfully slow for many people I have talked to over the years.