Massage regulation in California is unique. A couple of years ago, the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) was organized to implement the new California Massage Act.
Only massage practitioners certified by CAMTC are protected by California law. CAMTC practitioners have right to practice massage anywhere in California, free from the need to obtain a massage permit (or multiple permits) from any city or county. But this certification is not mandatory.
No other state offers a voluntary massage certification. Even the massage licensing examination is voluntary. Because of these two variables (voluntary exams and licenses), navigating the Florida licensing process can be confusing for massage therapists moving from California to Florida.
Today, I am here to help you figure out what you need to do based on your education and licensing exam completion. Most of you will fall into one of three situations. This will determine what you need to do next:
1. You have 500 (or more) hours of formal training, and you took a Florida Board-Approved examination (MBLEx, NESL, NCETM or NCETMB):
- You have five hundred (500) or more hours of formal education and training in massage therapy. 500 hours is the minimum hours needed to get a Florida massage license.
- And you passed a Florida Board-Approved examination (MBLEx, NESL, NCETM or NCETMB).
- Whether or not your are currently a CMT has little to do with obtaining a Florida massage license.
What should you do next? This checklist will assist you with the Florida Massage License process. You should have the least amount of work to do to get your Florida license.
2. You have 500 (or more) hours of formal training, but never took a Florida Board-Approved examination (NCETM, NCETMB, NESL, or MBLEx):
I suspect most people will fall into this category.
- You have 500 hours of formal massage training from an approved school.
- But, you never took a Florida Board-Approved examination (NCETM, NCETMB, NESL, or MBLEx). Taking one of these examinations is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Florida massage license.
- You may, or may not, have a valid CMT massage certificate in California.
What should you do next? This checklist will assist you with the Florida Massage License process.
3. You have under 500 hours of training, or you are currently a CMP:
Florida requires a minimum of 500 hours of massage training. If you are a CMP (meaning you have 250 and 499 hours of massage therapy training from an approved school), you will need to go back to school to make up the hours that you are deficient.
What should you do next?
Contact the Florida Board of Massage for a list of schools where you can make up the needed hours and continue on with the licensing process.
Will Florida accept school your California massage training?
Florida accepts most schools that are approved in other states or jurisdictions and meet the minimum requirements in each subject area. Here is a list of schools the Florida Board of Massage does not accept. If your school is on this other list of schools not accepted by CAMTC, I would also be concerned about its acceptance by the Florida Board of Massage.
Have a more detailed question regarding Florida licensing for massage? Ask me in the comments below!
Hello Ivy,
I was planning on moving to FL from CA. Currently I am a CMT apporved through CAMTC. The issue is I did a 250 hour base program and passed the MBLEx, so I do not have the formal 500 classroom hours. However, I do have an additional 250+ hours from approved CEU providers. Is that accetpable for the 500 hours of training? Any help is appreciated!
From what I hear, Florida is a real stickler about graduating from a 500 hour program. You need to contact the FL Board of Massage (email or phone) and double check this. I think what they will likely recommend is going to an FL school (transferring your original 250 hours and completing the rest of the 250 in FL so that you can graduate from a 500 hour program. I believe they have a list of schools that they recommend for people in your situation.
Hi Ivy,
I am planning to relocate to Florida from California, I am a CMT approved by CAMTC. I also went to school in Hawaii and transferred my hours from Hawaii to California. Do I need to send my transcript I obtained from Hawaii or contact CAMTC and transfer my information from them to Florida massage board?. Please help, for Florida rules and regulations has very much many hoops to jump over…
Hi Vincent,
You should always have your school that you graduated from (it needs to be a 500 hour program) send your transcript to Florida. Did you hold a HI license too, or just a CA license?
I know it can seem like a lot of hoops, but if you have the 500 hour program completed, that is most of the battle. The biggest problem Cali residents/licensees have is when they did not graduate from 500 hour programs and try to transfer to FL.
This page has guided a lot of people through the process. It is where I suggest people start. It will help you figure out what courses you need to take, if you need to take a licensing exam, and what needs to be sent where.
If you have any other questions let me know.
Hello Mss Ivy,long time ago I finish 500 hundred hours in Chicago I am professional massage therapist and natural healer (massage healer) and today I haw certificate from CA massage council from Sacramento,lcertificate license ,what I need ?? something extra if I go to Florida ? Can I just transfer the CA certificate in FL and start to work?? please send mi E-mail bat ecsactly what need if need? Thanks in forward Tony.
I will send you an email. This page will help you with the requirements and steps:
http://www.advancedmassagetechniques.com/florida-massage-license/endorsement-package/
hi Ivy,
I had 650 hrs from massage school in CA. I want Florida license. I failed the MBLEX once and I’m waiting to retake the exam again. So if I already had a CA license, do I need to get Florida school hours, or do I just do the license transfer? Do I have to take Florida exam? Or I can do Florida exam in CA ? Thank you very much, Ivy…
Hi Amy,
You will need to pass the MBLEx, which can be taken anywhere. Florida accept the MBLEx as a board approved exam. Those scores can be sent to Florida after you pass along with your transcript from your school. If you did not have any hydrotherapy training, you will need to complete those hours and other deficient areas. But, with 650 hours, I would assume you should be very close, if not sufficient in your hour breakdown compared to FL’s requirements. You will also need to take the courses I offer on this website- http://www.advancedmassagetechniques.com/florida-massage-license/endorsement-package/.
Just so you know, I have another site for those taking the MBLEx, http://www.massageexamacademy.com.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Ivy
I have filed for my license in Florida by endorsement on my license in Georgia. I understand I cannot charge until I get my Florida license but can I accept tips for my time if the service is free?
I would not.
Anytime you are advertising/offering massage therapy services, you should have a license in that state. Practicing massage without a license, even for free, would not be advised in my opinion.