After you complete ten hours of Florida massage law and rules, graduate from massage school, take your Board-Approved exam, get your license, and start working as a massage therapist, you are bound to forget the requirements for your first renewal.
Here is a refersher about those rules, plus a few recent updates:
The next renewal is August 31st, 2013.
For my first renewal, how many hours of continuing education do I need to complete?
First time renewals must complete one (1) hour of continuing education for each month or partial month from issuance of license, up to a maximum of 24 hours.
In other words…
If you got your license in September of 2012 (with twelve months remaining in the biennial period), you would need twelve (12) hours of continuing education. If you got your license in March of 2013 (with six months remaining in the biennial period), you would need six (6) hours of continuing education.
What mandatory courses do I need for my first renewal?
For your first renewal, the only course you are required to complete is two (2) hours of prevention of medical errors.
Remaining hours may include courses related to the practice of massage therapy and must be taken from Florida approved CE providers.
After this first renewal you will need:
- 2 hours of Florida Massage Law and Rules
- 2 Hours of Prevention of Medical Errors
- 2 Hours of Professional Ethics
* 1 hour of HIV/AIDS is no longer required.
How many “hands on” hours do I need for my first renewal?
For your first renewal, you are exempt from required hands-on hours.
So whether you need one or twenty-three CE hours, ALL hours may be completed in an online or home study format.
After this renewal, only twelve (12) hours of the twenty-four required (24) hours may be completed in a online/home study format. The remaining twelve (12) hours must be completed via live classroom instruction (including hands-on instruction or demonstration) and be relevant to and focus on massage therapy techniques.
Remember
ALL COURSES must be obtained through a Florida Board Approved Provider.
View courses available for First Time Renewal.
Don’t forget to grab a free, printable First Time Renewal Checklist.
~ Ivy
It ismy first year for renewal but I got my License 7-22-11. Do I follow the 1 course for every month rule or do I default to the regular requirements? Thanks!
Great, great question! You got your license during the magical open renewal period when the already licensed massage therapists were renewing their licenses. So you follow the first renewal requirements (can be completed all online and only Prevention of Medical Errors required) and you only need the maximum 24 hours. You were correct ;)
Thank you so much!!! That is such a great help!!!!
Ivy-
You were so helpful last time that I just want to ask to make sure I have it correct. This would be a 2nd time renewal. I see you say 12 hours live and 12 hours on-line for a total of 24 hours. So, my question is are there any required courses that I have to take? Ex. = Med. billing or Human Trafficking ?
Thanks, Eric LMT
Hi Eric! There are some courses you need to take as part of those 12 general hours. Here is an updated article.
https://www.floridamassage.com/license-renewal/
Thank You! I appreciate it ! It sounds great , I’m going to get the package from you. I look forward to completing them. Eric
Good day, I was wondering how CPR and/or First Aid fit in, I was pretty sure they were required too.
Neither CPR or First AID are requirements for a Florida massage license renewal. https://floridasmassagetherapy.gov/renewals/massage-therapist/#tab-ce