Montana Board of Massage Therapy

FAQ's

  • Most, but not all, of the information on an application is public. If a request is received to access an application, a review is conducted to determine what information is not released to protect an individual's right of privacy. Social security numbers are an example of information that is not public.

  • For information about exemptions click this link.

    MT Workflow Exemption-Worksheet

    Contact staff at (406) 841-2359 with any questions regarding exemptions. 

  • Can a massage therapy student receive compensation (such as a fee, tip, or gratuity) for performing a massage?

    A massage therapy student  may practice the skills of massage therapy only when:

        1.   the student is enrolled in a board-approved program,

        2.   the practice is designated as a school-sanctioned activity, and

        3.   the practie is performed under the supervision of a licensed massage therapist.

    See ARM 24.155.301(5) and (6) for the definitions of "school-sanctioned" and "supervision" as these requirements must be met or the student may not practice the skills of massage therapy.  A student who is lawfully practicing the skills of massage therapy is not prohibited from receiving compensation.  It is not uncommon for the student's school to have a policy concerning this issue.

    • Exam applicants that are first time licenses, will need to apply for a license with the Montana Board of Massage therapy and request their massage school to send their transcripts directly to the department. Once a complete application and transcripts are received the Montana board will send the applicant and FSMTB an eligible to test email that will allow the applicant to schedule an exam with FSMTB. At this time the applicant can apply with FSMTB to schedule the MBLEX exam.

    • Out of state licensed applicants will need to apply with the Montana board of massage therapy. An applicant will need to request official license verifications of each license held, to be sent directly to the department as well as official transcripts from the source with proof of passage of an approved national exam. These include: MBLEx, NCETMB, NESL, or the NCETM examination, or a state examination deemed to be equivalent.

  • 24.155.619 SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS AND ASSISTANTS REQUIRING A LICENSE IN MASSAGE THERAPY AND EXEMPTION 

    • School instructors and assistants requiring a massage therapy license include anyone demonstrating massage therapy techniques or techniques considered to be within the scope of massage therapy.

    •  School instructors and assistants demonstrating palpatory anatomy that includes touching a person must either hold a license in massage therapy or hold a professional license that falls under the exemption provided for in 37-33-404(1), MCA. (3) School instructors and assistants demonstrating a technique that requires a person meet the requirements for an exemption as provided for in 37-33-404(5), MCA, must either be licensed in massage therapy or meet the requirements of the exemptions provided for in 37-33-404(5), MCA.