Arkansas Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 2026
Arkansas massage therapists are required to complete 18 hours of continuing education during each two-year licensing period to renew an active massage therapy license. Of the 18 required hours, no more than 6 hours may be completed through online or home study courses. The remaining 12 hours must be completed through in-person continuing education.
Courses must be approved by the Arkansas Department of Health, NCBTMB, AMTA, or ABMP and must be within the scope of massage therapy. MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider (#409296-00), and Arkansas specifically recognizes NCBTMB-approved courses taken out of state.
Because Arkansas limits online and home study education to 6 hours, Arkansas massage therapists cannot complete their entire 18-hour requirement through online courses. This can be verified through the Arkansas Board of Massage.
Suggested Arkansas Massage Therapy Courses:
- Massage and Migraines - 6 CE hours
- Introduction to Polarity Therapy - 6 CE hours
- Orthopedic Trigger Point Therapy - 6 CE hours
Arkansas Massage Therapy CE Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| CE Hours Required | 18 CE hours every 2 years |
| Online/Home Study CE | Up to 6 hours may be completed online or through home study |
| In-Person CE | At least 12 hours must be completed through in-person classes |
| CE Timing | CE must be completed between the license issue date and expiration date |
| CE Carryover | CE hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal period |
| Approved CE | Courses must be approved by the Arkansas Department of Health, NCBTMB, AMTA, or ABMP and fall within the scope of massage therapy |
| Out-of-State CE | NCBTMB-approved courses and courses approved by another state massage board may be accepted |
| NCBTMB Providers | NCBTMB-approved courses may be used toward Arkansas CE requirements |
| Course Repetition | Online/home-study courses cannot be repeated for renewal or upgrade credit |
| Renewal Documentation | Proof of the required CE hours must accompany the renewal |
How Many CE Hours Does an Arkansas Massage Therapist Need?
Arkansas massage therapists must complete at least 18 hours of continuing education during each biennial licensing period to renew an active license. The 18 hours must be approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Of the 18 required hours:
- 18 total CE hours are required.
- Up to 6 hours may be completed through online or home study courses.
- The remaining 12 hours must be completed through in-person classes.
- CE must be completed during the appropriate licensing period.
- CE hours cannot be carried over from one licensing period to the next.
Arkansas CE Provider Requirements
Arkansas requires continuing education courses to be approved by the Arkansas Department of Health, NCBTMB, AMTA, or ABMP. Courses must also be relevant to the practice and scope of massage therapy.
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider, #409296-00.
The Arkansas Department of Health states that courses approved by NCBTMB and taught outside Arkansas are acceptable for Arkansas renewal. This makes qualifying NCBTMB-approved courses a useful option for Arkansas massage therapists who need to complete the online portion of their CE requirement.
Can Arkansas Massage Therapists Take CE Online?
Yes, but Arkansas limits the amount of online and home study education that can be used for renewal.
Arkansas allows massage therapists to complete up to 6 of the required 18 CE hours through online or home study courses. The remaining 12 hours must be completed through in-person classes.
This means an Arkansas massage therapist cannot complete all 18 required hours through online courses.
If you complete 6 hours online through an NCBTMB-approved provider, you will still need to complete 12 additional hours through qualifying in-person education.
Can Arkansas Massage Therapists Take All 18 CE Hours Online?
No.
Arkansas specifically limits online and home study courses to 6 hours of the 18-hour renewal requirement. The remaining 12 hours must be completed through in-person continuing education.
A live webinar should not automatically be assumed to satisfy the in-person requirement. If you are considering a live virtual course, verify with the Arkansas Department of Health that the format qualifies as in-person education before taking the course.
Can Arkansas Massage Therapists Carry Over CE Hours?
No.
Arkansas states that continuing education hours must be completed during the applicable licensing period, and carryover hours are no longer accepted. Massage therapists should make sure they complete the required 18 hours before their current licensing period expires.
How Often Do Arkansas Massage Therapists Renew Their License?
Arkansas massage therapy licenses are renewed every two years. The renewal period is based on the licensee's birthday. The renewal application is due on or before the first day of the month preceding the month of the licensee's birthday in the biennial renewal year.
Massage therapists should check their individual license for the specific expiration date and complete their CE before that date.
How to Complete Your Arkansas Massage Therapy CE
Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Date
Check your Arkansas massage therapy license to determine when your current licensing period expires.
Step 2: Determine How Many CE Hours You Need
You need 18 CE hours during each two-year licensing period.
Step 3: Plan Your Online CE
You may complete up to 6 hours online or through home study. Make sure the courses meet Arkansas's approval requirements.
Step 4: Complete Your In-Person CE
The remaining 12 hours must be completed through qualifying in-person continuing education.
Step 5: Keep Your Certificates
Keep documentation of your completed continuing education courses and certificates in case you need to provide proof of completion.
Step 6: Submit Your Renewal
Complete your Arkansas massage therapy license renewal and provide the required continuing education documentation or proof of compliance as requested by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Arkansas Massage Therapy CE FAQs
How many CE hours does an Arkansas massage therapist need?
Arkansas massage therapists must complete 18 hours of continuing education every two years to renew an active license.
How many Arkansas massage therapy CE hours can be completed online?
A maximum of 6 of the required 18 hours may be completed through online or home study courses.
Can I complete all 18 Arkansas CE hours online?
No. Arkansas requires the remaining 12 hours to be completed through in-person classes.
Does Arkansas accept NCBTMB-approved courses?
Yes. The Arkansas Department of Health states that NCBTMB-approved courses taken in other states are acceptable for Arkansas renewal.
Does Arkansas require ethics CE?
The current Arkansas massage therapy CE requirements specify 18 total CE hours, with no separate mandatory ethics-hour requirement identified in the current Department of Health materials reviewed. Courses must still meet Arkansas's approval and scope-of-practice requirements.
Can I carry Arkansas CE hours over to my next renewal?
No. Arkansas no longer accepts carryover hours. CE must be completed during the appropriate licensing period.
How often does an Arkansas massage therapist renew?
Arkansas massage therapy licenses are renewed every two years, with the renewal period tied to the licensee's birthday.
Can I take an out-of-state CE course for Arkansas renewal?
Yes. The Arkansas Department of Health specifically states that NCBTMB-approved courses taught in other states, as well as courses approved by another state massage office or board, may be accepted.
How many hours can I take through MassageTherapyCEU.com?
Because Arkansas allows a maximum of 6 online or home study hours, an Arkansas massage therapist can use qualifying online courses from MassageTherapyCEU.com for up to 6 hours of the 18-hour requirement. The remaining 12 hours must be completed through qualifying in-person education.
Where can I verify the current Arkansas massage therapy CE requirements?
The Arkansas Department of Health Massage Therapy Section is the best source for confirming current licensing and continuing education requirements. Requirements can change, so massage therapists should verify the rules before completing their CE.
Complete Your Arkansas Massage Therapy CE
MassageTherapyCEU.com offers convenient online and home study massage therapy continuing education courses for the portion of Arkansas's renewal requirement that may be completed through distance education.
NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00
Remember that Arkansas limits online and home study education to 6 of the 18 required CE hours. Plan your remaining 12 hours as qualifying in-person education to meet the state's renewal requirements.