Massage therapy is the physical, mechanical, or electrical manipulation of soft tissue for the therapeutic purposes of enhancing muscle relaxation, reducing stress, improving circulation, or instilling a greater sense of well-being and may include the use of oil, salt glows, heat lamps, and hydrotherapy. Reflexology is included in the practice of massage therapy and requires a license as a massage therapist.
Temporary Massage Therapy License: Issued to a person who meets all the requirements except passage of the MBLEx licensure examination and must be supervised by a licensed massage therapist.
Note: To practice in Nebraska, you must hold a Nebraska license and you must practice in a Nebraska licensed massage therapy establishment, hospital, nursing home, cosmetology or nail salon, funeral establishment, or other similar facility licensed by DHHS.
Animal Therapy is regulated under the Board of Veterinary Medicine per Title 172, Chapter 182. Contact the board at (402) 471-2118 or DHHS.MedicalOffice@nebraska.gov.
FAQs
Click here for massage therapy establishments and schools information.
Please read the application instructions carefully. They provide more information on the requirements to obtain a license.
Requirements: Please see the regulations for massage therapists, massage therapy establishments, and massage therapy schools.
Fee Information:
National Examination:
You must directly register with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) in order to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).
Jurisprudence Examination:
This examination is a free open-book examination and is 50 multiple-choice questions relating to massage therapy and massage therapy establishments.
Nebraska Jurisprudence Massage Therapy Examination
Contact: DHHS.RehabOffice@nebraska.gov
For the jurisprudence exam, review the regulations and statutes for massage therapy elsewhere on this web page.
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards
7111 W 151st Street, Suite 356
Overland Park, KS 66223
Phone: (866) 962-3926
E-mail: info@fsmtb.org
Massage Therapist licenses expire on November 1 of odd years. 16 CE hours (50% can be gained through online or electronic media) are required to renew. See the requirements at 172 NAC 81 .
Program Approval:
The board does not approve continuing education programs. Each licensee must determine if the program is an acceptable topic area for massage therapy.
To reinstate from either inactive or expired status, you must:
- Meet the continuing education requirement (16 hours)
- Submit a complete reinstatement application and renewal/reinstatement fees as listed on the application. Hours taken to reinstate your license can also be used to renew your license at the end of that renewal period so you are not required to have additional hours for renewal.
Applications: