Massage Therapist in Maryland
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MD
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Maryland
To become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in Maryland, you must complete a massage therapy program of at least 750 hours and have 60 college credits or an Associate degree. You'll need to pass both a national examination (like the MBLEx) and the Maryland Jurisprudence Examination, and undergo a criminal background check. The Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners oversees the licensing process, which also requires current CPR certification and an application fee of $250.
Massage Therapist Requirements in Maryland
| Detail | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | For Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT): 750 hours of training from an accredited program, plus 60 college credits or an Associate degree. For Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP): 600 hours of training from an accredited program. Note: The RMP credential stopped being issued on October 1, 2023, and after October 31, 2026, only LMTs will be able to practice. |
| Exam | Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) ($265) |
| Application Fee | $250 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 24.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18. Requires a criminal background check (fingerprinting) and CPR certification. LMTs must have Healthcare Provider level CPR, while RMPs need Basic CPR. All applicants must pass the Maryland Jurisprudence Examination in addition to a national exam. |
License Tiers
Maryland offers multiple tiers of massage therapist licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Registered Massage Practitioner (RMP) | N/A |
| Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) | N/A |
Massage Therapist Salary in Maryland
The median massage therapist salary in Maryland is $58,390 per year, which is 0.8% above the national median of $57,950.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $31,200 |
| 25th | $34,210 |
| 50th (median) | $58,390 |
| 75th | $76,800 |
| 90th (experienced) | $100,260 |
Maryland employs approximately 1,330 massage therapists.
Massage Therapist Job Outlook
AI Impact on Massage Therapists
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.41/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Massage Therapist in Maryland Worth It?
Factors to consider: Maryland's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.