“If I get my license now, will I need to renew in just a couple of months?”

Maybe you are thinking about waiting to apply because you assume if get your license before the August license renewal, you will have to turn around and renew your license right away. Maybe you’re considering just waiting until after the August renewal to avoid the extra work and fees.

Right?

After all, Florida Rules state:

64B7-28.009 (1) Continuing Education.
Every massage practitioner licensed pursuant to Chapter 480, F.S., shall be required for renewal to complete one continuing education hour for each month or part of a month that shall have elapsed since the issuance of the license for which renewal is sought, up to a maximum requirement of 24 hours for the renewal period.

After reading this rule, you would think if you get your license in June of 2013, you would need to complete three continuing education hours and renew with everyone else; even though you just got your license.

That is what I thought too! However…

There is something not stated in the rules (or anywhere else!).

If your license is issued while the “renewal is open” (meaning the time period when those that are already licensed to practice massage in Florida are allowed to renew their licenses for the biennial), you can get your massage license and you will not have to renew until the next biennial (August 31, 2015).

Therapists receiving their license when the “renewal is open” do not have to turn around and pay the renewal fee and show proof of completing a few CE hours.  They will need 24 hours of continuing education for the next renewal.

Here is the problem about finding out when the renewal opens: the exact date is not specified.

At this time, the Board does not yet know when it will be. Estimates are April/May of 2013.

Update: Massage Therapists licensed between April 2, 2013 and August 31, 2013 will not need to renew their license until August 31, 2015.

The hours needed for first time renewal candidates is broken down below:

*There is a grace period for massage therapists licensed between April 2, 2013 and August 31, 2013. These therapists do not need to renew their license this year, and will need 24 hours for the next renewal (August 31, 2015).

Apply Now or Wait?

As we approach the open renewal period, you will have a decision to make.

If you are ready to work in Florida and make money, go ahead and get your license now. The money you earn should make up for the $105 renewal fee and the cost of the few CE hours you will need.

A couple things to remember:

When the licensing process goes smoothly, it typically takes 4-6 weeks to get your license.

You have up to one year to submit your school transcript, proof of license, exam score and continuing education certificates for your 3 required courses.

Of all these materials, your CE certificates are the only documents you may submit directly to the Board yourself.

So if you want to ensure that you do not receive your license until the open renewal period, you could still file your license application and request submission of all the necessary documents. Then, just hold your CE certificates until the renewal opens.

P.S.

This magical open renewal period also applies to new massage establishment licenses. When the renewal opens, an establishment license granted during this special open period won’t need to be renewed until 2015 as well.

If you are ready to get started on your Florida license, start here. It will guide you through the licensing process.

Have a question or need clarification on something? Leave me a comment below!

To tell you the truth, reinstating a license confuses me sometimes, too. But I do have a few things to share that I have learned from my experience of helping others get their Florida massage licenses.

My goal is to help you get your license back without a lot of stress and confusion.

If you are in this situation, you most likely want to know:

How many continuing education courses do I need?

Do I need to take the MBLEx or NCETMB exam again?

I will answer this one now – No. Your NCETMB and MBLEx scores do not expire. You may need to resubmit them, but you do not need to retake them.

Who do I contact?

What do I do next?

I promise I will get to all that, but first we need to figure out your current license status, and if it is “inactive -delinquent/active” or “null and void”.

So let’s figure that out

1. Get out your old massage license number.

2. Go here and type in your license number with the MA prefix.

3. Click – “Find Provider”

A box should load. Under the License/Activity Status it will say if your license is “delinquent/active” or “null and void” – Your goal is to get to “clear/active”.

Inactive or Delinquent/Active

If you have only missed ONE renewal period (As of this blog publish date this would be licenses that expired 8/31/2011). Your license is not valid, it is inactive or delinquent/active; meaning your failed to renew by the expiration date. With this status, you are not allowed to practice in Florida.

Here is what Florida Law says about Inactive, or Delinquent licenses:

64B7-28.0042 Requirements for Reactivation of an Inactive License.

An inactive license shall be reactivated upon demonstration that the licensee has paid the reactivation fee set forth in Rule 64B7-27.011, F.A.C., and has complied with the following requirements:

(1) As a condition to the reactivation of an inactive license, a massage therapist must submit proof of having completed the appropriate continuing education requirements as set forth in Rule 64B7-28.009, F.A.C.

Okay so here is what you need to do to get your license back:

1. Pay the reactivation fee.

2. Show proof of completing your required CE hours (# of hours varies from person to person).

After you complete those tasks, your status will change to clear/active. You will not receive a new license number. So you can use that link above to check your status during this process (Or click here).

How many hours of continuing education do you need?

That is a tricky question! It really depends on if this was your first renewal and how far we are currently into the biennial.

My recommendation is to contact the Board of Massage. Contact information, and tips about contacting the Board, are provided at the bottom of this post.

Null and Void

So what is “null and void” mean?

This means you missed 2 (or more) renewal periods.

Delinquent licenses that expired on August 31, 2009 became “null and void” on September 1, 2011.

If you let your license expire in 2011, the 2013 renewal is coming (August 31st). After that date, your license will be “null and void”.

This is what the Florida Law and Rules say about null and void licenses:

64B7-28.0042(2) However, any licensee whose license has been inactive for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who has not practiced for two out of the previous four years in another jurisdiction shall be required to appear before the Board and establish the ability to practice with the care and skill sufficient to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. At the time of such appearance, the licensee must:

(a) Show compliance with subsection (1) above;

(b) Account for any activities related to the practice of massage therapy in this or any other jurisdiction during the period that the license was inactive and establish an absence of malpractice or disciplinary actions pending in any jurisdiction;

(c) Prove compliance with Section 456.065, F.S., and subsection 64B7-28.001(2), F.A.C.

In a way, Florida is trying to save you some money. Really. Instead of showing proof of 48 hours (or more) of continuing education and paying multiple renewal fees, you are going to need to start from the beginning. Don’t worry, most of the hard work is over.

Contact the Board of Massage to verify that this is your best option. Contact information, and tips about contacting the Board, are provided at the bottom of this post.

You will likely need to:

1. Send in new application and fee.

2. I have heard some people say that the BOM does keep your school transcript on file, as well as your NCETMB/MBLEx scores. However, I have not verified this. You should be prepared to:

Send in school transcript again.

Send in MBLEx or NCETMB Test Scores again.

3. If you have not previously taken 10 hours of Florida Massage Law and Rules, 3 Hours of HIV/AIDS instruction, and 2 hour Prevention of Medical Errors, you will need to take these courses as well.

You will get a brand new license number.

I have never heard of anyone needing to appear before the Board, but I am sure it happens. The law says you should be prepared to do this.

Who cannot reactivate their license?

Florida rules state:

(3) The Department shall not reactivate the license of any massage therapist who has:

(a) Committed any act or offense in this or any other jurisdiction which would constitute the basis for disciplining a licensee pursuant to Section 480.046, F.S.

(b) Failed to comply with the provisions of Section 456.034, F.S., and subsections 64B7-28.001(2) and (3), F.A.C.

Ready to Contact the Florida Board of Massage?

Contacting the Board of Massage is somewhat of an art. Below is some information you will need to provide when you call or email.

If you just send an email saying “I need my license reinstated. How do I do that?” be fully prepared for a return email with copy and pasted Florida Law and Rules. This will only add to your confusion and frustration.

To avoid that, here are some specific questions you should ask, so you can get specific answers.

You can copy and paste the below and fill in your information:

Name

MA #####

License Expired 8/31/XXXX

How many CE hours do I need if I reinstated my license?

How many of those hours need to be live / contact hours? (The remaining can be online.)

How many hours of the following courses am I required to complete? Prevention of Medical Errors, Professional Ethics, Florida Law and Rules Update?

What is the fee to reinstate my license now?

Contact information

Email: MQA_MassageTherapy@doh.state.fl.us

Licensure Support Services
(850) 488-0595
Monday through Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET

MAILING ADDRESS:
Department of Health
Board of Massage Therapy
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Bin C-06
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3256

For Applications and Fees (Regular Mail)
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6330

PHONE:
(850) 245-4161

FAX:
(850) 921-6184

I cannot answer every scenario in this post, but you can always leave a comment below with your question. I would be more than happy to help out! Or feel free to send me a quick email.

If you need some CE courses mentioned above, I have those available here.

1. Since the 1 hour HIV/AIDS course is no longer required for license renewal, is it still required for those applying for their Florida Massage License?

2. I already have taken a 3 hour HIV/AIDS course during massage school, or as part of my license renewal in another state, do I need to take it again?

HIV/AIDS requirement for license renewal vs initial licensure

As of July 1st, 2012, Florida massage therapists are no longer required to complete a minimum one hour HIV/AIDS continuing education course per biennial renewal.

This rule change has led to a few questions from people seeking a license about whether an HIV/AIDS course is still required for obtaining a Florida massage license.

As of right now, a 3 hour HIV/AIDS course is still required for initial licensure by the Massage Board. This includes those graduating from massage school, transferring a license to Florida from another state, or that are completing a board approved apprenticeship.

The 3 hour HIV/AIDS course must be completed in addition to 10 hours of Florida Massage Law and Rules and 2 hours of Prevention of Medical Errors.

These three required courses are available as a package here.

Seeking a Florida license and have previously taken an HIV/AIDS course?

For those of you that have already completed an HIV/AIDS course in massage school or as part of your license renewal in another state, the Florida Board of Massage website states:

“Proof of completion of a three (3) hour HIV/AIDS course taken from a Florida Board approved massage therapy school or a Florida Board approved continuing education provider.”

The last part of that sentence is really important.

The HIV/AIDS course (and all other required courses) must be from a Florida board-approved school or a Florida board-approved continuing education provider.

HIV/AIDS education is commonly included as part of basic massage training curriculum. Some states, such as Maryland, require a 3 hour HIV/AIDS course every license renewal.

Those who have completed the HIV/AIDS requirement in another state sometimes assume that they only complete the remaining two courses (10 hour Florida law and 2 Hour Prevention of Medical Errors).

Weeks later they get excited to see a letter from the Florida Board of Massage assuming it is their license.Then they open it only to find a letter from the Board stating their HIV/AIDS course from their school or continuing education was not from a Florida board-approved provider.

They are instructed to submit proof completion from an approved provider before their license is issued.

I recommend that if you have taken an HIV/AIDS course previously, verify that it was from a Florida Approved provider. You can verify Florida-approved providers at cebroker.com (My provider number is #50-11905).

If you purchase the Florida licensing package I have available, I suggest you complete all three courses in the package to be safe. The HIV/AIDS course is actually free with the package.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions!

Right Here

The Florida Board of Massage requires a 2 hour Prevention of Medical Errors course for massage professionals in three situations:

1. Before obtaining a Florida Massage License
2. A Licensee’s first massage license renewal
3. Every subsequent biennial renewal period

This course must be taken from a school or continuing education provider that is approved by the Florida Board of Massage. You can check CE Broker to verify an approved provider (My approved provider number is #50-11905).

A Prevention of Medical Errors course is accompanied by other requirements and courses, depending on the licensee’s or applicant’s situation listed above.

Before Obtaining a Massage License

Those graduating from a Florida massage school, or those transferring a massage license to Florida, must complete this course. In addition, you also need to complete 10 hours of Florida Massage Law and Rules, and 3 hours of HIV / AIDS education before your Florida massage license is issued.

For more information about this process and the courses needed to transfer a license to Florida, click here.

A Licensee’s First Massage License Renewal

After you receive your massage license, the only course you are required to complete for your first renewal is 2 hour Prevention of Medical Errors. This course is required along with 1 hour of continuing education for every month you have been licensed.

Grab this Free Printable Checklist for more information about your first renewal and the courses needed.

Every Subsequent Biennial Renewal Period

After your first renewal, a 2 hour Prevention of Medical Errors course is required ever two years for the biennial renewal (8/31/2013, 8/31/2015, 8/31/2017). Other courses required for your second renewal, and every subsequent renewal include: 2 hour Florida Massage Law and Rules update, and 2 hours of Professional Ethics. These courses count towards the twenty-four hour continuing education requirement. The 1 hour HIV course is no longer required for license renewal.

For more information about renewing your Florida massage license and the require courses, click here.

If you have any questions about Prevention of Medical Errors, or the Florida licensing or renewal process, let me know in the comments below!

Since 2009, the Florida Board of Massage has accepted the MBLEx exam administered by the FSMTB (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards).

When the Florida Board first moved to accept MBLEx exam, a legal battle between the NCBTMB and The Florida Board of Massage ensued. A settlement was reached and the Board accepts the MBLEx exam and the following examinations administered by the NCBMTB (National Certification Board for Massage Therapy and Bodywork):

Looking for a study guide for the MBLEx?

• NCETMB
• NCETM
• NESL

A common question I receive is from people who think they will need to retake the NCETMB or NCETM to get their Florida license because they are no longer “nationally certified”. Your test scores do not expire, just your NCBMTB certification. There is no need to retake these exams for obtaining a Florida massage license.

The Florida Board of Massage does not accept any State exams. This includes:

• Ohio State Massage Therapy Exam (no longer administered)
• New York State Massage Therapy Exam
• Hawaii State Massage Therapy Exam
• Texas Massage Therapy Exam (no longer administered)

Other exams not approved by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy:

• NACCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)
• ABTE (Asian Bodywork Therapy Examination)
• AMMANCE (American Medical Massage Association National Certification Exam)
• International/Foreign Massage Therapy Exams [Canadian Exams -AIT (British Columbia), NBMA (New Brunswick), NLMTB (New Foundland & Labrador), OSCE or MSQ(Ontario)]

If you are a massage therapist moving to Florida, please see this page for a step-by-step guide on obtaining a Florida license by examination or endorsement.

Photo Credit: albertogp123

Your mailing address is where any correspondence from the Board of Massage/Department of Health, your initial license, renewal notices, and where your updated/renewed license will be sent.

Since displaying your license is also required by F.A.C 64B7-28.008 (and now with a 2×2 photo), you need to make sure that you keep your address current.

Recently I closed my P.O. Box. This was my mailing address on file with the Board of Massage (Note: You cannot list a P.O. Box for a Place of Practice address). I decided this would be a good opportunity to show you how easy changing your address is to do.

When you first received your massage therapy license, you likely received your displayable license and a small license for your wallet. Also attached to these (by perforations) was a 4 x 8 sheet (mine is blue – same as my license). This sheet starts: “Your license number is MA ######”. Your license expiration date is in the upper right. Keep this paper too.

Halfway down the page is your Account ID and Password. This is likely the same Account ID and Password you received if you obtained a Florida File Number. You will need your Account ID and Password to change your address. When you have that, we are ready to begin.

1. Go to www.flhealthsource.com
2. Click on Licensee/Provider
3. Click on Practitioner Login (on the left of the page)
4. Select Your Profession (Massage Therapist)
5. Enter your Account ID and Password (Case sensitive)
6. Click on Login

Note: After you log in, you will see a list of other links that may be useful at another time. This includes viewing all documents sent to the Board of Massage (your application, school transcripts, or license verification), a duplicate license request form, and a link to enter your continuing education credits for license renewal. Okay, back to updating your address.

7. Click on Update Addresses
8. Change all information that needs to be updated. This would be a good time to verify that your email, phone number, and Place of Practice address (if you have one) is correct too.

Note: Something I did not address in the video, and needed to go back and change, was my Place of Practice address. Your Mailing Address is different than your Place of Practice Address. If you do not have a practice in Florida, or you are employed, you may use your mailing address as your PL (Practice Location) Address. OR you may select “No” to the PL Address to indicate that you do not practice in the state of Florida. If you indicate that you are not practicing in Florida, then your mailing address will be printed on your license.

9. When you are done updating your information, click on “Process”.

You are done!

Here is a video of how I changed my address:

300 hours of Training

Before 2007, Texas had one of the lowest training requirements for massage therapists at 300 hours, and their own state licensing exam.

500 hours of Training

Since 2007, Texas has required that massage therapists complete at least 500 hours of training and pass a board-approved licencing exam (MBLEx, NCETMB) before obtaining a massage therapy license.

Based on the above, here is what you need to do next.

If you have 500 (or more) hours of training…

If you have 500 hours of massage training, please see this page on transferring your massage license to Florida.

You will next determine if you are a license by examination or endorsement candidate. This will be based on your current license situation (active or expired), and whether you took a Florida Board-Approved Examination. Florida does not accept the old Texas State Licensing Exam.

Once you determine if you are an endorsement or examination candidate, be sure to print off a free checklist to help guide you step-by-step through the Florida license process.

License by Examination Checklist

License by Endorsement Checklist

If you have less than 500 hours of training…

The Florida Board of Massage requires 500 hours of formal massage education, and they make no exceptions to this rule. My suggestion is that you contact the Florida Board to request a list of board-approved schools that will allow you to sit in class and make up the remaining hours you need to get your license.

You will also need to complete a Florida board-approved exam (MBLEx, NCETM, NCETMB, NESL).

If you have a more specific question or situation, please leave a comment below. I’d be happy to help!

If you own a massage establishment, it is essential to keep up to date on changes in the massage profession in order to keep your massage business in good standing with the Board of Massage and the Department of Health.

If you work in a massage establishment, you also need know the current status of the establishment you work in to avoid possible fines from the Board of Massage.

There have been a few requirement changes for massage therapists renewing their licenses. The first change will affect massage establishments since all massage therapists are required to display a valid license on site.

Photo Required To Be With Displayed Massage Therapy License

Effective on August 1, 2012, all initial licenses or duplicate licenses issued must attach a 2 inch by 2 inch photograph of the individual to the displayed massage therapy license. The photo must have been taken within the previous two years. Current massage licensees will need to complete this requirement by September 1st, 2013. (See: 64B7-28.008 1[a])

The second change is for massage therapists.

HIV CE Course Requirement Dropped for Renewal

A minimum one hour HIV/AIDS continuing education course is no longer a requirement for renewal of a massage therapy license. To review the requirements for renewing a massage therapy license, here is a massage therapy renewal checklist.

There are no continuing education requirements for massage establishment licenses.

Massage Establishment Renewal Fees

The renewal fee for renewing a Massage Establishment license has not changed. The fee is $105 for two years. The fee for renewing a massage therapy license is also $105.

Ready to renew?

To renew your establishment, or massage therapy license, visit the Florida Board of Massage website.

A special message for those employed in a Florida Massage Establishment:
If you are employed at a Florida massage establishment, verify that the owner has a valid massage establishment license. The license should be clearly displayed with the most recent renewal paper.

There are hefty fines for the establishment and therapist if the Department of Health finds a massage business without a massage establishment license. At Board meetings, the massage therapist is often fined more than the establishment. I would hate to see a massage therapist pay a fine because of the oversight of an employer.

You can visit the Board of Massage website to check on the current license status of a massage establishment.

Photo Credit: By and[w]

For massage therapists moving to neighboring 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. I now have another question for you.

 

Have you passed the NCETMB or the MBLEx?

No. You are required to complete one of the above exams before Florida will issue a massage license to you. Here is a printout of what you need to do next. Start here.

Not sure which massage licensing exam to take?

Yes. All of Georgia’s approved massage licensing exams are approved exams in Florida. You have one last question (I promise).

Do you have an active Georgia Massage license?

Yes. Here is your printable checklist for getting your Florida Massage License. Start here.

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, start here.

***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@advancedmassagetechniques.com.

Get your 6 CE Hour Renewal Package
for just $29.00.

The Board of Massage website stills lists the 2011 late renewal fees up on the renewal page. I have no idea when the Board will be listing the current fees, but for people that like to plan ahead, finding current fees for 2013 is difficult.

Here is a list of all current fees. Note: If you click to contact the board on the Fees page to ask a question, it takes you to the midwifery board.

Below are the basic fees for the 2013 renewal:

Massage Therapist License Renewal Fees:

Licensure Fee – $100.00
Unlicensed Activity Fee - $5.00

Total Fee: $105.00

Late Fee (After August 31st, 2013) – Additional $100.00

Here is a 2013 massage license renewal checklist.

Massage Establishment License Renewal Fees:

Licensure Fee – $100.00
Unlicensed Activity Fee - $5.00

Total Fee: $105.00

Late Fee (After August 31st, 2013) – Additional $100.00