Massage Therapy
Reciprocity Licensure Requirements

An applicant for a license to practice massage therapy on the basis of licensure in another jurisdiction must:

1. Have obtained his/her license under standards regulating the practice of massage therapy in the other jurisdiction that are equal to those maintained in Nebraska;
2. Have completed a course of study and training in massage therapy as specified in 172 NAC 81-002;
3. Have had his/her license based on a written examination, the grades given at such examination, and the date the license was issued;
4. Have been actively engaged in the practice of massage therapy under such license for at least 1 of the 3 years immediately preceding application;
5. Have been in active and continuous practice of massage therapy under license issued by examination in the state, territory, or District of Columbia from which s/he comes for at least 1 year; and
6. Have attained at least the age of 19 and have good moral character.

Application Process. The following must be submitted to the Department:

1. A completed application  on Attachment A or an alternate form which contains the same information. Only applications which are complete will be considered;
2. An official transcript showing that s/he has completed a course of study and training in massage therapy;
3. Evidence of having attained at least the age of 19, such as:
1. Driver’s license;
2. Massage therapy transcript which states date of birth;
3. Birth certificate;
4. Marriage license; or
5. Other similar documentation;
4. If any disciplinary action was taken against the applicant’s license by another state, an official copy of the disciplinary action, including charges and disposition;
5. If the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony:
1. Official Court Record, which includes charges and disposition;
2. Copies of arrest records;
3. A letter from the applicant explaining the nature of the conviction;
4. All addiction/mental health evaluations and proof of treatment; and
5. A letter from the probation officer addressing probationary conditions and current status, if the applicant is currently on probation;
6. The required license fee;
7. Have the licensing or certifying agency submit to the Department:
1. A certification that the applicant is duly licensed or certified, that his/her license or certificate has never been suspended or revoked, and that so far as the record of the agency is concerned, the applicant is entitled to its endorsement on Attachment A3 attached to these regulations and incorporated by this reference or on an alternate form which contains the same information;
2. The nature of disciplinary actions, if any, taken against the applicant's license or certificate;
3. The date of the applicant's license or certificate;
4. The name of the examination on which licensure was based;
5. The score attained on the examination;
6. Documentation of the requirements for licensure or certification in the other jurisdiction which are currently in effect and which were in effect at the time the license was issued; and
8. Attestation by the applicant:
1. That s/he has not practiced in Nebraska prior to the application of his/her license; or
2. To the actual number of days practiced in Nebraska prior to the application of his/her license.

Board Review:  The Board will review the documents submitted to determine if the applicant's license or certificate issued by the other jurisdiction was based upon standards regulating the profession which are equal to those maintained in massage therapy by Nebraska.

Pro-rated Fee: When a license will expire within 180 days after its initial issuance date, the Department will collect $25, and the Licensee Assistance Program fee of $1, and the license will be valid until the next subsequent renewal date.

Administrative Penalty/Other Action: An individual who practices prior to issuance of a credential is subject to assessment of an Administrative Penalty pursuant to 172 NAC 81-013, or such other action as provided in the statutes and regulations governing the credential.

Department Decision: The Department will act within 150 days upon all completed applications for licenses.

Withdrawn/Rejected Application: An applicant for a license who withdraws his/her application or whose application is rejected by the Department prior to administration of the examination will be allowed the return of his/her fee, except for an administrative fee of $25.00 to be retained by the Department.

To apply for an initial license, you must submit the completed application to:

Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Massage Therapy
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986