Massage Therapy License Renewal in North Carolina (2026)

Massage Therapy license renewal in North Carolina is handled by the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, 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.

North Carolina Massage Therapy renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Licenses are issued for a two-year term and expire December 31 of the renewal year. Licensees must apply for renewal (with all CE completed) before the expiration date; the board opens online renewal in advance (typically August/October of the renewal year) and recommends submitting by November 1. A license not renewed by its December 31 expiration is considered expired and may be reinstated within 24 months of expiration.
CE hours required	24 hours
Renewal fee	$100.00
Online renewal	Yes
CE tracking system	No board-operated CE tracking system; CE must be earned through NCBTMB/FSMTB/NCCAOM/IASI-approved providers or accredited schools, and licensees self-document hours for renewal.
Governing body	North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy

Go to the official North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. automated research workflow (official north-carolina massage board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Massage Therapys in North Carolina

At least 24 contact hours of approved continuing education per two-year licensure period, including at least 3 contact hours in professional ethics. Distance learning may count for no more than 12 hours; business management may count for no more than 8 hours. CE must come from providers approved by NCBTMB, NCCAOM, FSMTB, IASI, or an accredited college/university. (21 NCAC 30 .0701)

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

How to renew your Massage Therapy license in North Carolina

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy portal.
Complete the required 24 CE hours and confirm they appear in No board-operated CE tracking system; CE must be earned through NCBTMB/FSMTB/NCCAOM/IASI-approved providers or accredited schools, and licensees self-document hours for renewal..
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Verified via the NC Administrative Code (Title 21, Chapter 30) for the LMT license: renewal fee $100 and late penalty $75; renewal under 21 NCAC 30 .0303 (expired license reinstatable within 24 months); CE under 21 NCAC 30 .0701 (24 hours incl. 3 ethics). The official board site (bmbt.org) renewal pages were repeatedly unreachable via automated fetch (timeouts), so fee/late/CE figures were confirmed against the codified state rules (Cornell LII mirror of NC OAH-published rules) and the board's fee schedule; the Dec 31 biennial expiration and the August/October online-renewal window with a recommended Nov 1 submission are per board guidance. Online renewal is offered through the board's web portal.

Massage Therapy license renewal in North Carolina: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Massage Therapy license in North Carolina?

North Carolina Massage Therapy licenses renew every 24 months. Licenses are issued for a two-year term and expire December 31 of the renewal year. Licensees must apply for renewal (with all CE completed) before the expiration date; the board opens online renewal in advance (typically August/October of the renewal year) and recommends submitting by November 1. A license not renewed by its December 31 expiration is considered expired and may be reinstated within 24 months of expiration.

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

Approximately 24 continuing-education hours per cycle. At least 24 contact hours of approved continuing education per two-year licensure period, including at least 3 contact hours in professional ethics. Distance learning may count for no more than 12 hours; business management may count for no more than 8 hours. CE must come from providers approved by NCBTMB, NCCAOM, FSMTB, IASI, or an accredited college/university. (21 NCAC 30 .0701) Confirm the current requirement with the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy.

Can I renew my North Carolina Massage Therapy license online?

Yes — North Carolina offers online renewal through the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my North Carolina Massage Therapy license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $75 may apply. Contact the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Massage Therapist (LMT) renewal