We talk a lot about mobile massage in Florida. But the MOBILE Act has nothing to do with mobile massage, establishments, or on-site massage. It has everything to do with licensing of new massage therapists from out of state.
So, if you’re a massage therapist thinking about relocating to Florida, there’s good news for most of you. As of July 1, 2024, Florida passed the Mobile Opportunity by Interstate Licensure Endorsement Act (MOBILE Act)—a new law designed to make it easier for health care practitioners, including massage therapists, to get licensed in Florida when moving from another state.
Before the MOBILE Act, every health profession in Florida (including massage) had its own process. The MOBILE Act changes that by creating a uniform set of requirements for anyone applying through endorsement. In simple terms, if you’re licensed and experienced elsewhere, you now have a clearer path to becoming licensed in Florida. Let’s find out how.
Are Massage Therapists Included in the MOBILE Act?
Yes! The MOBILE Act applies to massage therapists because the profession is regulated by the Florida Department of Health (DOH). If you’re actively practicing in another state, you may be eligible—provided you meet the criteria below.
Key Requirements for Licensure under the Mobile Act (Specifically for Massage Therapists)
Here’s what you need to qualify:
Active, Unencumbered License
You must hold a current, active massage therapy license from another U.S. state, Washington D.C., or a U.S. territory. Unencumbered means that there is not any discipline against the license.
Work Experience
You must show that you’ve been actively practicing massage therapy for at least 3 years out of the last 4 years before applying.
This proves to Florida that you’re not just licensed—you’re experienced and still actively working in the field.
National Exam or Certification
Florida wants to know you’ve proven your skills on a national level. You need to have passed one of these approved exams:
- MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination from the FSMTB)
- NCETM/NCETMB (National Certification Exams from NCBTMB)
If your original state didn’t require an exam or used a state-only test, don’t worry just yet—there may still be a pathway. You’ll need to check with the Florida Board of Massage Therapy to see if your education and experience meet their standards.
Background Check & Fingerprinting
Like all health professions in Florida, massage therapists applying under the MOBILE Act must submit to a fingerprint-based background check.
10-Hour Florida Laws and Rules Course
No matter how long you’ve been practicing elsewhere, Florida requires all massage therapists to complete a 10-hour Florida Laws and Rules course. This ensures you understand the specific state laws that regulate massage therapy here.
What About the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) Is it the same as the MOBILE Act?
You may have heard about the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact)—another effort to streamline multi-state licensing for massage therapists. T
IMpact is separate from the MOBILE Act and still in the early stages with limited state participation. If Florida joins in the future, it could offer even more flexibility, but for now, the MOBILE Act is the main pathway for out-of-state massage therapists moving here.
Pro Tips for Massage Therapists Applying for a Florida Massage License
If you’re planning to make the move to Florida, here’s what you should do:
Verify your license status—make sure your current license is active
Gather your professional documents—license, proof of national exam, work history✔ Schedule your background screening – I suggest Fieldprint Florida
Complete the 10-hour Florida Laws and Rules course— we offer the course online (anytime) here – 10 Hour Florida Laws and Rules
Again, this is a NEW Act and that often brings out some unanswered questions while we all adjust to something new. You can always contact the board for more information and questions about your situation.
We have helped thousands of people get their Florida Massage License since 2010! If you have other questions about licensing in Florida, including those of you that may not qualify under the MOBILE Act or have unique situations, I have most likely covered it here: Florida Massage License.
I just moved to Florida and I have been practicing for 2 years and 4 months. Does that mean I won’t be able to get a license in Florida if I haven’t been a massage therapist atleast 3 years??
You can apply, just not via mobile endorsement. There is another process through examination. If you have taken the MBLEx, you do not need to take it again. You just have more paperwork and courses to complete than via the MOBILE endorsement option.
Hello, I am similar to Vanessa, I have almost 3 years under my license in another state and currently in the process through examination. Although it has taken almost 4 months to figure this all out, my question to Aaron is what paperwork and courses will I need to complete since I won’t quality for the MOBILE endorsement option? I seriously haven’t heard back from anybody at the DOH in weeks. Thank you! 🙂
You will apply by examination. There is more information about getting your license and classes you may need here: https://www.floridamassage.com/license/
I’m in a similar boat. I had three state massage licenses all are expired now by thirteen years, (CT, NY and CA). I took NCBTMB in 11/2011 so won’t need to retake exam. But need courses. Also my massage school closed down so have to get transcripts from state board here in CT. If we already did a livescan do we have to do that again? I also read we need tb test, health certificate, massage insurance? Is that true?
I have not seen anything on TB tests.
I have some of the classes you need here on Florida Massage (HIV, Laws and Rules, and Human Trafficking) http://www.floridamassage.com/ceu .
Here is a link on finding your transcript for a closed school. I wrote this article years ago on another website – https://www.massageexamacademy.com/school-transcript/
Hello
I am a massage therapist with over 25 years of experience, but I work for myself and so am not sure what documentation would be necessary to prove my longstanding work experience. I am a NYS licensed therapist but have moved to Florida and am interested in attaining my license here.
They changed the law in March (without any notice), and no longer accept the New York (or Hawaii, Ohio) exams. From what I understand, they now only accept the MBLEx or the NCETMB. You likely need to take the MBLEx now in order to get your Florida massage license. Unless you took the NCETMB years ago, you could still use those scores.
I really dislike this change. It has affected so many NYS licensees in the past few months.
You would most likely need to get a copy of your educational transcript from your school and have them send that directly to Florida, in addition to a the 10 hour Laws and Rules course, a background check, and possible and HIV, prevention of medical errors, and hydrotherapy course. Here is more on licensing – https://www.floridamassage.com/license/
Hello, I seen above that it says you need to show proof that you’ve been practicing for 3 to 4 years in order to move certifications to Florida. I’m moving to Rhode Island and plan to go to school and study and get certified and massage therapy while I’m there and then move back to Florida how do I go about moving certifications without having the 3 to 4 year requirement??
You can still apply, just not under the mobile act. At the end of the article I provide a link to take you to another page for those that do not qualify. There will be a couple of other classes you may need to take, including HIV, Prevention of Medical Errors, and Hydrotherapy.
https://www.floridamassage.com/license/