Regulatory Board

Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure
665 Mainstream Drive, 2nd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Ph: (615) 253-2111
Fax: (615) 532-5164
Email: tn.health@tn.gov

Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure

Education Requirements

  • 650 education hours from a board-approved massage therapy school.

These hours must include:

      • 300 hours of basic massage theory and practice

        • Including, but not limited to, history, benefits, indications, contraindications, demonstration and supervised practice, client assessment/evaluation, soft tissue manipulations including: gliding, kneading, friction, compression, vibration, percussion, stretching, joint movements, draping, positioning, turning, feedback, charting/documentation, proper body mechanics, self-care, and intern clinic.

      • 200 hours of sciences

        • Including, but not limited to, anatomy, physiology-Western and/or Eastern, kinesiology, pathology, HIV/AIDS and bloodborne pathogens, and hygiene (including standard precautions). Other sciences related to the human body may be included with Board approval.

      • 125 hours of related subjects

        • Including, but not limited to, business standards of practice, communication skills, CPR/First Aid, the Americans with Disabilities Act, referral methods, specialized populations, and specialized and adjunct therapies/massage modalities such as eastern theory, lymphatic, prenatal, infant, sports, craniosacral, and hydrotherapy. This also may include Spa modalities.

      • 20 hours of ethics instruction

      • 5 hours of instruction regarding Tennessee massage statutes and regulations

These hours must be completed in person or in a live/real time format. Applicants may obtain up to, but not exceeding, 195 classroom hours online. The following course work requirements may not be obtained online: Kinesiology and Hands on coursework.

Contact your state licensing board for the most current information and requirements.

CEU Requirements

  • 24 Education Hours (biennially)

  • CPR Training Optional

  • $185 Fee

Need CE credits? 
Browse online courses