Are a Massage Therapist moving to Florida?
If you are, you may have found the application process is not quick and easy. I have helped a number of other therapists successfully transfer their massage licenses to Florida, and I have also been through this process myself. I want to help make your professional move to the “Sunshine State” a little easier.
Massage therapists licensed in another state must go through a route to licensure called, “Becoming Licensed by Endorsement”. Before obtaining your Florida Massage Therapy License, Florida requires all applicants to complete a set of massage ethics courses, which may be taken in a home study format.
To Qualify as an Endorsement Candidate:
- Have attended 500 or more hours of massage training
- Have successfully completed the NCETMB, MBLEx, or NESL
- Are currently licensed in another state
a. This can be sent to the Florida Board of Massage (BOM), along with the application fee, at any time. The board will start a file for you and keep your information for one year while all of your other information is forwarded to the BOM office.
2. Contact the school where you received massage training. Have them forward your official transcript directly to the Florida BOM. According to the Florida Rules: Your school needs “to be a school that is approved within your current state or jurisdictions” in order for it to be approved.
*** California massage therapists should check this page to see which schools the BOM does not accept at this time: Unapproved California Massage Schools
3. Contact the FSMTB or the NCBTMB, and have them forward your test score to the Florida Board of Massage (BOM). To request your official scores, contact either:
a. NCBTMB (NCETM, NCETMB, NESL) ~ Click on “Official Score Transfer Request Form”. There is a $25 fee.
b. FSTMB (MBLEx) ~ You will have to print it off and mail it in. There is a $20.00 fee per transfer/report.
4. Contact the State Board of Massage where you are currently licensed to practice massage therapy. Request your state board to forward proof your licensure directly to the Florida the BOM.
The State Board must also include your:
- a. Current license status
- b. Method of licensure (exam or endorsement)
- c. Date of original licensure
- d. Any discipline; if license has been disciplined, please request the licensing state send all official disciplinary documentation directly to the board office
- e. If you have ever had discipline on a license you must submit a self-explanation and letters of recommendation as described below in the criminal history section
5. Complete the Florida Endorsement Course Package
a. 10 Hours Florida Massage Law and Rules
b. 3 Hours HIV / AIDS
c. 2 Hours Prevention of Medical Errors
After the BOM receives all of your information they will automatically issue your license to practice massage in the state of Florida. You may first receive your approval status by email.
You are most likely a candidate for License by Examination if you meet some of the criteria below:
- Have attended 500 or more hours of massage training, however:
- Have not successfully completed the NCETMB, MBLEx, or NESL
- Were grandfathered into licensure without passing one of the above exams
- Were previously, but not currently, licensed to practice massage in another state
- Have never been licensed to practice massage therapy in another state
- Live in a state where there is no massage licensing act (e.g. Minnesota or Idaho)
- a. Current license status
- b. Method of licensure (exam or endorsement)
- c. Date of original licensure
- d. Any discipline; if license has been disciplined, please request the licensing state send all official disciplinary documentation directly to the board office
- e. If you have ever had discipline on a license you must submit a self-explanation and letters of recommendation as described below in the criminal history section
- $ 89.00 – Florida Law (10 CE Hours)
- $ 26.00 – HIV/AIDS (3 CE Hours)
- $ 19.00 – Prevention of Medical Errors (2 CE Hours)
a. This can be sent to the Florida Board of Massage (BOM), along with the application fee, at any time. The board will start a file for you and keep your information for one year while all of your other information is forwarded to the BOM office.
2. Contact the school where you received massage training. Have them forward your official transcript directly to the Florida BOM. According to the Florida Rules: Your school needs “to be a school that is approved within your current state or jurisdictions” in order for it to be approved.
*** California massage therapists should check this page to see which schools the BOM does not accept at this time: Unapproved California Massage Schools
3. PASS a board approved Exam. (MBLEx, NCETMB, NCETM, or NESL)
a. To schedule an exam:
b. If you have previously passed one of these exams, have your exam scores forwarded directly to the Florida BOM.
4. If you were grandfathered into licensure or have let your license expire, Contact your State Board of Massage. Request your state board to forward proof your licensure directly to the Florida the BOM.
The State Board must also include your:
5. You will still need to complete the Florida Endorsement Course Package
a. 10 Hours Florida Massage Law and Rules
b. 3 Hours HIV / AIDS
c. 2 Hours Prevention of Medical Errors
After the BOM receives all of your information they will automatically issue your license to practice massage in the state of Florida. You may first receive your approval status by email.
How to Purchase
This massage CEU package includes the three ethics courses required for obtaining a Florida massage license by endorsement or examination. These courses are available as a downloadable eBook with online exam. A certificate will be available to print immediately after completion of each course and exam.
$ 99.00Save $35 with package
If you do not need all three courses, you can purchase each course separately:
Still not sure if you are a candidate for License by Endorsement?
If you have a specific question or circumstance that is leaving you confused about your route to licensure, please contact us and I will help you get the information you need.
