Massage Therapy License Renewal in Illinois (2026)

Massage Therapy license renewal in Illinois is handled by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation — Massage Licensing Board, which requires Massage Therapist (LMT)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Illinois Massage Therapy renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Biennial license; all Illinois massage therapist licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year (e.g., 12-31-2024, 12-31-2026). Renewal can typically be submitted in the last quarter before expiration. IDFPR enforces a hard portal deadline — failing to renew on time generally requires going through restoration/reactivation rather than a simple late renewal.
CE hours required	24 hours
Renewal fee	$175.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation — Massage Licensing Board

Go to the official Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation — Massage Licensing Board renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation — Massage Licensing Board. automated research workflow (official illinois massage board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Massage Therapys in Illinois

24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle, which must include at least 2 hours of ethics. Effective for the 2026 renewal cycle (per HB 2756), an additional 1 hour on domestic violence and sexual assault awareness is required, bringing the total to 25 hours; this extra hour was NOT required for the 2024 renewal (expired 12-31-24). CE must be from IDFPR-approved sponsors.

Need approved hours? Compare Illinois Massage Therapy CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Massage Therapy license in Illinois

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation — Massage Licensing Board portal.
Complete the required 24 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: State-level licensure confirmed; massage therapy was placed under IDFPR jurisdiction in 2003. The Massage Licensing Board (7 members) advises IDFPR. Renewal fee is set in 68 Ill. Admin. Code 1284.50 at $87.50 per year, i.e., $175 for the 2-year cycle. Restoration of a lapsed license (other than from inactive status) is $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $470 — the $50 base restoration figure is recorded in late_fee_usd, but the true late-renewal cost is higher because lapsed renewal fees must also be paid (no simple flat late fee is published). IDFPR launched its new CORE online system on Oct 30, 2024; online renewal is available. CE total rises to 25 hours starting with the 2026 cycle due to the added 1-hour domestic violence/sexual assault requirement. CE-hours field set to 24 (the long-standing base requirement incl. 2 ethics hours); see ce_details for the 2026 increase.

Massage Therapy license renewal in Illinois: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Massage Therapy license in Illinois?

Illinois Massage Therapy licenses renew every 24 months. Biennial license; all Illinois massage therapist licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year (e.g., 12-31-2024, 12-31-2026). Renewal can typically be submitted in the last quarter before expiration. IDFPR enforces a hard portal deadline — failing to renew on time generally requires going through restoration/reactivation rather than a simple late renewal.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Massage Therapy license in Illinois?

Approximately 24 continuing-education hours per cycle. 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle, which must include at least 2 hours of ethics. Effective for the 2026 renewal cycle (per HB 2756), an additional 1 hour on domestic violence and sexual assault awareness is required, bringing the total to 25 hours; this extra hour was NOT required for the 2024 renewal (expired 12-31-24). CE must be from IDFPR-approved sponsors. Confirm the current requirement with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation — Massage Licensing Board.

Can I renew my Illinois Massage Therapy license online?

Yes — Illinois offers online renewal through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation — Massage Licensing Board. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Illinois Massage Therapy license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $50 may apply. Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation — Massage Licensing Board promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Massage Therapist (LMT) renewal