Massage Therapy License Renewal in Pennsylvania (2026)

Massage Therapy license renewal in Pennsylvania is handled by the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State), 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.

Pennsylvania Massage Therapy renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Biennial. Massage therapist licenses expire January 31 of every odd-numbered year (biennial period runs February 1 of an odd year through January 31 two years later). Renewal opens about 60 days before expiration; PALS emails a notice and there are no paper applications.
CE hours required	24 hours
Renewal fee	$175.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State)

Go to the official Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State). automated research workflow (official pennsylvania massage board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Massage Therapys in Pennsylvania

24 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal: minimum 4 hours in professional ethics, minimum 16 hours earned as live/in-person contact hours, and minimum 2 hours of Act 31 child abuse recognition and reporting training from a Board-approved provider (child abuse course verification is sent electronically by the provider). Current CPR certification (not online) is also required to renew. New licensees issued during the current biennium are exempt from the 24-hour requirement except for the 2-hour child abuse training. Certificates are retained 5 years for possible audit, not uploaded at renewal.

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

How to renew your Massage Therapy license in Pennsylvania

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) 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 license confirmed. Renewal handled through PALS (Pennsylvania Licensing System, pals.pa.gov); no paper renewals. Renewal fee $175.00 verified on the official Board renewal guide (REV 11/2022, expiration cycle Jan 31, 2025) and licensure snapshot. No fixed late/penalty fee published on the renewal pages; an expired/inactive license requires a separate reactivation application via PALS. CE certificates are not uploaded at renewal but must be kept 5 years for audit; the Board does not appear to use a third-party CE tracking system.

Massage Therapy license renewal in Pennsylvania: frequently asked questions

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

Pennsylvania Massage Therapy licenses renew every 24 months. Biennial. Massage therapist licenses expire January 31 of every odd-numbered year (biennial period runs February 1 of an odd year through January 31 two years later). Renewal opens about 60 days before expiration; PALS emails a notice and there are no paper applications.

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

Approximately 24 continuing-education hours per cycle. 24 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal: minimum 4 hours in professional ethics, minimum 16 hours earned as live/in-person contact hours, and minimum 2 hours of Act 31 child abuse recognition and reporting training from a Board-approved provider (child abuse course verification is sent electronically by the provider). Current CPR certification (not online) is also required to renew. New licensees issued during the current biennium are exempt from the 24-hour requirement except for the 2-hour child abuse training. Certificates are retained 5 years for possible audit, not uploaded at renewal. Confirm the current requirement with the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State).

Can I renew my Pennsylvania Massage Therapy license online?

Yes — Pennsylvania offers online renewal through the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State). Use the official link on this page.

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

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Department of State) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Massage Therapist (LMT) renewal