Massachusetts

Grandfathering Deadline Extended in Massachusetts The grandfathering provision deadline has been extended for massage therapists in Massachusetts. The original deadline of May 1, 2008, has been extended to December 1, 2009. If you have not yet applied for a license, the application instructions and application can be found at: www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/mt. You can qualify for a state massage therapy license under the grandfathering provision prior to December 1, 2009 if you meet any one of these three options:
  1. You have held a massage therapy license in a Massachusetts community within the last 2 years (usually issued by the Municipal Board of Health), or
  2. You are certified by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or
  3. You have provided 500 hours of paid professional practice within the last 5 years.
Applicants may also qualify for a state license by meeting the 500-hour education requirement and submitting sealed transcripts with their application. Visit www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/mt for the appropriate forms. If you have already applied and/or received your state license, you may disregard this notice. All massage therapists must have a state license to practice.