​Michigan Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements

How Irene’s Helps You Get Licensed as a Massage Therapist

At Irene’s, our commitment to your success doesn’t end at graduation. We are here to support you in becoming a licensed massage therapist. Our graduates consistently pass the licensing exam at rates higher than both the national and state averages.

Irene’s staff members are happy to guide you through the state licensing process, including completing the application, submitting required documentation, and understanding renewal procedures with the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy.

For students planning to relocate, the school also offers assistance in identifying licensing requirements for massage therapists in other states and in initiating the application process for out-of-state licensure.

Michigan Massage License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

The following information is Irene’s Myomassology Institute’s best understanding of the Michigan Massage Licensing Board’s rules.

• Continuing Education (CE) is required for all license renewals.

• The CE requirement is 18 hours over 3 years.

• The license expiration year and date is printed on licenses.

• Renewal information is emailed in advance of expiration. Snail mail will only be sent if the therapist specifically requests that in advance.

• It is your responsibility to keep your contact information with the State current. You must notify the State if you change your email address or move, etc..

• Of the required 18 CE hours, 2 hours of ethics and 1 hour must be in pain management.

• The 18 hours of CE must be completed during that 3-year renewal cycle. CE cannot be taken prior to renewal. Classes taken before that will not count towards CE.

• Massage schools/programs approved by the State for entry level education are approved to offer CE classes.

• CE providers can also be approved by the NCBTMB, FSMTB, or COMTA.

• CE hours cannot be carried from one renewal period to the next. If you complete extra hours in a 3-year cycle, you still must complete 18 hours for the next renewal.

• Do not submit CE proof with your license renewal. The State conducts random audits of renewals. Always keep your CE certificates for at least 4 years after renewal.

• No more than 12 CE hours can be completed in a 24-hour period.

• You cannot earn CE credit for the same class more than once.

• CE credit is not granted in any modality exempt from the massage license law. The list of exempt modalities that do not count for CE is: Feldenkras, Trager, Polarity, Asian Bodywork, Reiki, Shiatsu, Reflexology and Structural Integration.

In addition to Continuing Education hours, everyone licensed under the public health code is required to complete Implicit Bias Training. This rule is an effort to diminish discrimination in our society.  Implicit Bias is an attitude or internalized stereotype that affects one’s perception or actions in an unconscious manner. This often contributes to unequal  treatment of people based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, etc.

• One hour of Implicit Bias Training is required for each year in a license cycle.

• 3-year license requires three hours of training.