IMPORTANT UPDATE: NYS LMTs Must Take the A National Exam to Move to Florida
If you’re a licensed massage therapist in New York State and planning a move to Florida, there’s been a major change you need to know about.
Back in 2017, the Florida Board of Massage began accepting the New York State Massage Exam as an equivalent licensing exam. This allowed NYS LMTs to apply by endorsement and skip taking the MBLEx.
However, that is no longer the case.
In 2024, Florida passed the MOBILE Act, which is designed to make uniform endorsement requirements for all health professions in Florida.
Due to the implementation of the MOBILE Act, Florida now requires a national licensing exam—such as the MBLEx or the now-retired NCETMB. The NYS Massage Exam is no longer accepted.
What Does This Mean for NYS LMTs?
If you’re licensed in New York and applying for a massage license in Florida, you will now need to take and pass the MBLEx to qualify. If you previously took the MBLEx or NCETMB, you do not need to retake the exam. I have instructions below on how you can proceed.
If you have not taken a “national exam”, you still have a route to licensure. The good news is that you can still apply by examination and take the MBLEx—many others have done it, and there are resources to help you pass. Let’s take a look at what you need to do.
Need to Take the MBLEx?
If your only licensing exam was the New York State Massage Exam, you’ll need to pass the MBLEx to qualify for a Florida massage license.
We know that taking a licensing exam—especially years after massage school—can feel overwhelming. But you’re not alone.
Many NYS LMTs have successfully passed the MBLEx using Massage Exam Academy, an online study program designed specifically for the MBLEx. It’s helped massage therapists of all backgrounds, including those who:
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Haven’t studied in years
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Have anxiety about exams
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Failed the MBLEx in the past
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Are transitioning from NYS to another state like Florida
You’ll find full-length practice exams, quizzes by topic, flashcards, study tips, and guidance on how the MBLEx is structured.
Want to learn more? Visit MassageExamAcademy.com for details and to get started.
If You Already Took the MBLEx or NCETMB:
You may still qualify for endorsement, even if you’re licensed in New York.
Here’s what to know:
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Florida accepts national exams like the MBLEx, NCETMB, or NCETM (the older NCBTMB exams).
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If you passed one of those exams—even if it was years ago—you can apply by endorsement as long as:
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Your exam was one of the board-approved national exams.
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Your NYS massage license is active.
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You meet all the other Florida license requirements.
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What You Should Do:
Forward your original exam results.
Contact the testing agency for the MBLEx (FSMTB) or NCETMB (NCBTMB) to have your exam results forwarded to Florida.
Need the 10-Hour Florida Massage Laws and Rules Course?
You’ll also need to complete the Florida Board-Approved 10-Hour Massage Laws and Rules course as part of your application.
We offer the an online 10 hour Florida Laws and Rules Course with a free checklist and licensing guide. That will walk you through the rest of the process.
Still Have Questions?
If you’re unsure about your exam history, application type, or anything else, feel free to reach out. You can email me at ivy@floridamassage.com. I’m happy to help.
Transferring a Cosmetology-Related License?
I have noticed over the years there are a lot of dual licensed NYS LMTs. If you’re also transferring a cosmetology, nail specialist, or facial specialist license from New York to Florida, you’ll need to take the required 4-Hour HIV/AIDS course for those professions.
Visit our cosmetology education site to learn more and get started.
My wife is an experienced massagist and healer. ashe has a gift to diagnoze (by feeling subtle disbalance in energy and pain that hasn’t been manifested yet) she can as well inadvertantly magnetize metallic objects (forks ,spoons ,knives etc) by strange magnetic power in her hands. Her problem is that she speaks English not so fluently ( we had come from abroad to USA 4 years ago) and she won’t pass exams for licensure, requiring a high speed in answering numerous questions. My question is: is it possible for her to work under any licensed massage therapyst, herself being unlicensed?
Roman, I have had others in your situation before with English being their second language and having difficulty passing the exam. I wish I had better information for you.
What state do you live in? That will help me figure out what the laws and regulations are for massage therapists in your area.
I graduated from the Swedish Institute in New York and received my NYS license for Massage Therapy. I moved to Florida the beginning of last year and am ready to get out of my current job and into my licensed profession. On top of the National Board Exam I was told there was another course I needed to take to become licensed in Florida. Do you know the name of the course? It has to do with medical error prevention or preventative care?
Hi Augustus!
Here is the link to my other site. This page will have all of the information and courses you need to get your Florida license.
Since you are from NYS, you most likely took the NYS state massage exam and not the NCETMB, NCETM, NESL, or MBLEx – right? You will need to follow this checklist.
If you have any other questions, let me know!
Hi Ivy, I am currently licensed as an LMT in NYS and considering a move to Florida. I have read some of your other posts for requirements in Fl. I am wondering since that was in 2013 if the requirements have changed at all. Since NYS does have its own state exam, am I still required to take another board exam that’s accepted by Florida or will I be able to transfer as an endorsement? I’ve been practicing for about 2 1/2 years now since being Licensed in NY. Thank you for any advice/help that you can offer.
Hi Ivy, I am currently an LMT in NYS and considering a move to Florida. I’ve been practicing for about 2 1/2 years since being licensed. I am wondering if I can transfer my license to Florida without having to retake a board exam. I’ve read some of your other posts from 2013 and now just wanted to know if anything has changed since then as far as the Florida board requirements. Also, can I still maintain my NY license after moving. Thank you for any advice/help in any way.
Hi!
There have been no rule changes regarding the accepted exams. You will still need to complete a board approved exam. The MBLEx is now the only entry level exam available (as of November 2014). You can read more about the MBLEx on my other site – http://www.massageexamacademy.com.
You most certainly can keep your NYS license too. I always recommend it. Life changes happen and rules change. Maintaining a license is good insurance in case either of those happen. I have a Iowa license and Florida license. I will always maintain both. I have seen far too many people let there licenses lapse and then have to take additional requirements because rules changed while they were not licensed.
I need a tutor to help me in converting an old not renew New York state massage therapy license ina florida one.
Hi Paola, I sent you an email with a few questions. Your path will depend on where you went to school (US or Italy) and if you took the NCETMB, NCETM, or MBLEx .
Hello Ivy I’ve also gone to the Swedish institute here in NYC and have taken and passed the mblex, is there a way for me to work in NYC without taking their NYS board exam?
Not that I am aware of at this time. I have not heard of anyone being granted a license without taking their state exam. Have you emailed the board of massage there?
Ivy
So how does the MBLEX work exactly? Will I receive a license card in the mail?
Hello I recently have taken and passed my MBLEX exam. I sent the results to the NJ state board a few weeks ago. Is there any other step or documents I need to send to obtain my license?
Which state are you trying to get a license? NJ?
Yes NJ.
I cannot say for sure. I am not as familiar with their process. I would visit their board website and then call their office if you have more questions. Sorry I cannot be of more help.
I’ve sent the results to the NJ state board. I’m just wondering is there are other steps as well.
Hi, I do not see this actual new ruling for NYS massage therapists now being candidates for endorsement on the Florida Board of Massage Therapy. Where can I find the link to this new ruling? What does “candidate for endorsement” actually means? Thanks!
Hi Sophie,
The rule is so new I am sure the Board has not updated their website yet. You can listen to the board ruling from the October 2017 meeting.
Endorsement means that you completed your 500 hours of education (or 1000 in NYS), took a FL board approved exam (which the NYS exam now is) AND your license in that state (NY) is still active.
Thank you! I am a LMT in NY. Have been for years. It is going to save me a lot of time as I never took the national certification, only the NYS license exam years ago. I am fully active with a current registration to practice in NY.
So I just need to contact the FL massage therapy board and that’s it? Do I need to register with them?
You are welcome to verify this info by contacting the board in FL. You can also go ahead an apply by endorsement. Here is my checklist
– http://www.advancedmassagetechniques.com/wp-content/uploads/florida-endorsement-checklist.pdf
For NYS you will need to contact the state for verification. On their verification, it will list that you passed the NYS exam.
I am obtaining my license in Florida currently and would like to transfer up to NYC later in 2019. Any advice on this? It says I am not eligible for an endorsement because I have not practiced for 2 years? I maybe misunderstanding this
I am not as good with the reverse information of going from FL to NYS. I would contact the NYS board to ask for their advice. I understand my reply is INCREDIBLY late. This was buried in my spam and I thought I would still answer it just incase others had the same question. Hope it all worked out!
Hi Ivy.
I live in NJ and I was thinking to start a massage therapist program here in NJ that lasted from 8- 10 months.. I am excited to start this new career. I also was considering to move to Florida I like better the weather over there and I am close from my family. but I was wondering if I should take the State exam to get my license in NJ or NY even if I have to take some extra hours or should I take my exam in Florida after I finish my program ??.
I read your article and said that with the NY lisence we could apply by endorsement in Florida without taking the test again.
Thanks you
I would just take the MBLEx. The NYS exam is only given 2x a year (January and August) and also NYS requires 1000 hours.
Here is more information on my MBLEx study guide and practice questions.
Hi,
I am a new York state licensed massage therapist and want to move in Florida soon.
What can I do to eligible to work there?
This article takes you step by step through the process.
I have a question. While I’m overjoyed to hear Florida accepts NYS license to shift to FL, how can I go about having both licensess?
Common question! I answer that question here about having a massage license in multiple states :)
https://www.floridamassage.com/license-multiple-states/
I lived in Florida in 2015, and took the MBLEX and had failed. It had been many years since I was in school. I had graduated from Swedish Institute in NYC and had my license from NY. When I moved to Florida that year I was not able to work as an LMT since my license was not accepted unless I passed the MBLEX . I now see this new rule and how I wish it had been applied when I was living in Florida I ended up moving back to NY and lost so much money when I was living in Florida! Good luck to everyone else !
I am hoping you can help. I was licensed in NY from 1993-97. I ended up working in NC as s massage therapist and never practiced in NY. I live in Daytona Beach area now.
I went back to the corporate world for financial reasons and I am thinking of getting back into massage therapy in Florida.
I went to the Florida School of Massage Therapy in 1993 and have 1000 hours there, including a 200 sports massage.
What steps would I need to take. I can’t seem reach anyone in Tallahassee to clarify. Should I try to reinstate my NY license band then transfer it to FL? Do I need to take the mblex? What is the best course of action?
Thank you. John
Hi John!
Quite honestly, your situation is one of the more complicated since there are a few variables I do not know, mostly concerning your exam Florida situation (if you took and if Florida would accept it).
If you took the Florida boards and Florida accepts them, you would simply need to apply and use that exam. I know it seems weird, but I had heard at one time they did not accept their old exam. However, that may have changed.
If you took the NCETMB back in the day, that would work too for the exam requirements. You would not need to get the NYS license back in good standing in this case.
What I do know is that if you got your NYS license back in good standing (I assume you took the NYS exam) then you would be able to apply to Florida by endorsement.
You would still need to take the Florida laws and rules course (here is my course) and do the fingerprinting.
So, you have options.
Anyway, let me know if you know which exam you took and I can help you get started on finding the best path for you.
Ivy
Dear Ivy,
Thank you for this service of love and devotion!
I am NYS LMT since 1999 but last registered was 11/2013. So I need a good 36 CEU to reinstate my NYS lic. I am planning to move to FL in the next two years.
I am happy to do the CEUs in NY even in these strange times. I would like to avoid any exams if possible!
What is your advice?
Thanks again for all you do!
TC
I would do whatever is necessary to get the NYS license reinstated if you want to avoid an exam. So, start looking for CE courses that will get your license back in good standing. Once that is done, you can move onto getting licensed in Florida. Here is my newer website that should help you get started with that process.
https://www.floridamassage.com/license/
Hey there!
I have been Licensed as a Massage Therapist in NY, and recently moved to Florida. I’d like to apply for my FL license by endorsement, however my school (Finger Lakes School of Massage) closed several years ago and so am unable to contact someone for my transcript. I do have my own copy of my transcript and so am wondering if that would be sufficient.? Also, do you need a Florida drivers license to apply? Thanks!
Hi Ivy, I would like to know if this is logit that NYS License is transferable to Florida. I took the exam and I passed it. and now I’m in Florida and would like to work as massage therapist and I don’t want to retake the national exam again. I read your news and I want to make sure if it is gonna work. please let me know. thank you
No need to take another exam. The NYS exam has been approved for a few years now.
I have been Licensed as a Massage Therapist in NY, and recently moved to Florida. I’d like to apply for my FL license by endorsement. will it work to transfer the license to FL Endorsement
Yes! The NYS state is approved for endorsement applicants.