Maryland Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements
Massage therapy continuing education requirements for license renewal vary from state to state and the laws are constantly changing. It is our current understanding that Maryland requires massage therapists to complete 24 CE hours every 2 years for license renewal, of which 3 CE hours must be in ethics or jurisprudence, 3 CE hours must be in communicable diseases (to include HIV/AIDS), and 2 CE hours in diversity, cultural competency, or implicit bias. The remaining 16 hours must be in massage-related courses.
What We Can Do For You!
- You can use our ethics, communicable disease and diversity/cultural competency continuing education courses to help satisfy Maryland's specific topic requirements.
- Because the Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies is approved by the NCBTMB as a continuing education Approved Provider, the Maryland Board of Massage will accept all of our 150+ courses to satisfy the remaining hours in the 24-hour requirement with the exception of courses related to animal massage, aromatherapy, insurance, practice building or marketing.
Special Note Regarding Implicit Bias
The completion of a one-hour Implicit Bias training course is mandatory for first-time renewals.
If you would like to verify this information, or have further questions regarding your massage therapy continuing education requirements, we suggest contacting the Maryland Board of Massage directly. The telephone number for the Maryland Board is 410-764-2965 or visit their website at http://dhmh.maryland.gov/massage/Pages/education.aspx.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is our current understanding that Maryland requires massage therapists to complete 24 CE hours every 2 years for license renewal, of which 3 CE hours must be in ethics or jurisprudence, 3 CE hours in communicable diseases (to include HIV/AIDS), and 2 CE hours in diversity, cultural competency, or implicit bias. The remaining 16 hours must be in massage-related courses.
Yes, by October 31st of each renewal year, license and registration holders shall satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 hours within the previous 24 months as follows:
- 3 hours in professional ethics or jurisprudence (Mandatory);
- 3 hours in communicable disease education, this includes AIDS/HIV(Mandatory);
- 2 hours in diversity, cultural competency, or implicit bias (Mandatory);
- 16 hours in massage-related courses as approved by the Board;
- 1 hour in Implicit Bias Training if this is your first renewal (counts towards the mandatory course); and
- A current CPR certificate.
No. All continuing education credit hours must be completed within the time frame of the biennial renewal cycle.
LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) means an individual who is licensed to practice massage therapy. An LMT may practice in a medical health care provider’s office, hospital, or other health care facility for the purpose of providing massage.
RMP (Registered Massage Practitioner) means an individual who is registered by the Board to practice massage therapy in a setting that is not a health care setting. An RMP may NOT practice in a medical health care provider’s office, hospital, or other health care facility for the purpose of providing massage.
No, the Maryland Board currently does not require a course on human trafficking.
Yes, you can take all 24 hours through home study and online courses with the exception of courses related to animal massage, aromatherapy, reiki, energy work, insurance, practice building or marketing.
While we don't have any restrictions for a student taking the same course multiple times, your state board may not allow this. In our experience, many state boards typically don't want to see the same massage modality course repeated. However, if you would like to take the same course again we recommend contacting the Maryland Board to confirm whether they will accept the same course.
No, the Maryland Board does not require the CE provider to report completed credits.
You are exempt from continuing education requirement during the first license and registration renewal to which you were issued a license or registration on or after Oct. 31st (within twelve [12] months of the expiration date printed on your document). However, you must still renew your license or registration.
Licenses must be renewed by October 31st of every even year.
No, you do not need to maintain a current Board Certification as a requirement for renewal for your Maryland Massage license or registration.
Yes, LMTs and RMPs must have a current, valid CPR certification respective to their status at all times during an active status. Completion of CPR programs does not count toward the required CE hours.
If you are randomly selected for an audit, you must first complete the online renewal application and show proof of having completed all CE requirements for the appropriate time period (biennial window). Your documentation must be sent to the Board for the renewal application process to be completed provided all other requirements have been met such as full completion of the renewal application and payment.
The Maryland board DOES NOT ACCEPT courses related to animal massage, aromatherapy, reiki, energy work, insurance, practice building or marketing. All coursework should be related to massage therapy and the scope of practice for LMTs and RMPs.
No, completion of CPR programs does not count toward the required CE hours. LMTs and RMPs must have a current, valid CPR certification respective to their status at all times during an active status.
Information regarding the Implicit Bias requirement can be found here:
Implicit Bias
The Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies is approved by the NCBTMB as a continuing education Approved Provider (#049478-00). All of our continuing education programs can be used for National Certification renewal.
You may also use our credits for other organizations you may belong to, such as the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) or Associated Bodywork Massage Professionals (ABMP).
