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State of Texas · Official Continuing Education Requirement

Continuing Education Requirements for Texas Licensed Massage Therapists

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation16 TAC §117 · Rule current as of Nov 2026

Texas Massage Therapist continuing education register

Required hours
12 contact hours of approved continuing education per two-year license term.
16 TAC §117.30(a)
Renewal cycle
Biennial — licenses are valid for two years from issuance and must be renewed before they expire.
16 TAC §117.24(a)
Acceptable format
Online and correspondence courses count when the subject is not massage techniques or soft tissue manipulation.
16 TAC §117.31(c)
Acceptable subjects
Any approved subject — theory or clinical application of massage, laws and rules, business practices, ethics, anatomy, physiology, hydrotherapy, kinesiology, pathology, and health and hygiene.
16 TAC §117.31(a)(1)
Accepted providers
TDLR-approved or recognized providers, including NCBTMB Approved Providers, licensed Texas massage schools, and college or university academic courses.
16 TAC §117.31(a), (d)
Separate requirement
Human trafficking prevention — an HHSC-approved course before every renewal. It does not count toward the 12 hours.
16 TAC §117.24(b)(4)
Record retention
5 years — keep continuing education records for five years for TDLR audits.
16 TAC §117.33(d)

Source. 16 TAC Chapter 117 (§§117.24, 117.30–117.33); Tex. Occ. Code Chapters 116 and 455. Requirements are set by TDLR and may change; licensees remain responsible for confirming current rules at tdlr.texas.gov. View the current rule at tdlr.texas.gov (opens in a new tab)

One NCEF course, built for the 12-hour requirement above.

Texas Massage Therapist CE Package · certificate issued on completion and retained in your account for the 5-year record period.

The rule, translated

What 16 TAC Chapter 117 requires — section by section

Statute

At least 12 hours of approved continuing education per two-year license term. One continuing education hour equals 50 minutes of instruction, and 0.1 CEU equals one hour.

16 TAC §117.30(a)–(c)

In plain English

Texas massage therapists need 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years, under 16 TAC Chapter 117.

Statute

Online and correspondence courses count only when the subject is not massage techniques or soft tissue manipulation. Hands-on technique training must be taken in person.

16 TAC §117.31(c)

In plain English

You can complete all 12 hours online, as long as the online courses are not hands-on technique training.

Statute

Complete a human trafficking prevention course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) before every renewal. It is a separate renewal requirement and does not count toward the 12 hours.

16 TAC §117.24(b)(4); Tex. Occ. Code Chapter 116

In plain English

Take an HHSC-approved human trafficking course every renewal, in addition to your 12 hours.

Statute

Keep continuing education records for five years. TDLR randomly audits licensees after renewal. Selected licensees are notified by email and upload certificates through their online account; don't submit certificates at renewal unless audited.

16 TAC §117.33

In plain English

Keep your certificates for five years. You only send them to TDLR if you are selected for an audit.

Statute

You may not practice or use the titles LMT, MT or RMT while your license is expired. Renewing within 90 days of expiration costs 1.5 times the renewal fee; from 90 days to 18 months, 2 times.

16 TAC §117.24(e)

In plain English

Renew before your license expires. Late renewal costs 1.5× the fee within 90 days and 2× up to 18 months, and you can't practice meanwhile.

Statute

Theory or clinical application of massage, soft tissue manipulation, massage laws and rules, business practices, professional ethics, anatomy, physiology, hydrotherapy, kinesiology, pathology, and health and hygiene. Up to 6 hours per renewal period may be first aid or CPR.

16 TAC §117.31(a)(1)–(2)

In plain English

Texas does not require specific subjects within the 12 hours; any approved course in an acceptable subject area counts.

Statute

Learning incidental to practice, professional association activities, audited or non-credit college courses, and independent study other than qualifying online or correspondence courses.

16 TAC §117.32

In plain English

Everyday work experience, association meetings and non-credit classes don't count toward your hours.