Michigan Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 2026

Michigan licensed massage therapists must complete 18 hours of continuing education during each 3-year license cycle to renew their massage therapy license. The required CE must be approved under Michigan's continuing education rules and relate to massage therapy practice or an appropriate subject relevant to massage therapy. At least 1 CE hour must address pain and symptom management, and at least 2 CE hours must address professional ethics or boundaries. Our modality courses include 1 CE hour that meets the pain and symptom management requirement.

For initial renewals completed after June 1, 2021, in addition to 18 CE hours, Michigan therapists are also required to complete 1 CE hour of implicit bias training for each year of licensure since June 1, 2021. Although we do currently have a course on implicit bias, from our understanding MI therapists are required to take the course in a live classroom setting or a live webinar. To read more about this requirement, click here.

MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00. Michigan specifically accepts CE activities approved or offered by the NCBTMB or an NCBTMB-approved sponsor. You can verify this information or contact the state of Michigan with further questions by visiting the Michigan Board of Massage.

Suggested Courses for Michigan Massage Therapy License Renewal:

Ethics in Massage - Roles and Boundaries - 2 CE hours
Myofascial Release - 16 CE hours
Pregnancy Massage - 16 CE hours

Michigan Massage Therapy CE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Michigan
CE Hours Required	18 hours
Renewal Period	Every 3 years
Pain & Symptom Management	At least 1 hour
Professional Ethics/Boundaries	At least 2 hours
Online/Self-Paced CE	Yes, when approved
NCBTMB Courses	Accepted when offered/approved by NCBTMB or an approved sponsor
Human Trafficking Training	Required; one-time training
Implicit Bias Training	Required at each renewal
CE Documentation	Keep records for 5 years
CE Audits	Yes

How Many CE Hours Does a Michigan Massage Therapist Need?

Michigan massage therapists must complete at least 18 CE hours during each 3-year license cycle. The CE must be completed through activities approved under Michigan's rules.

Two subject-specific requirements apply within the 18 hours:

At least 1 hour in pain and symptom management
At least 2 hours in professional ethics or boundaries

Pain and symptom management may include subjects such as behavior management, behavior modification, stress management, and clinical applications related to professional practice.

Can Michigan Massage Therapists Take CE Online?

Yes. Michigan's acceptable continuing education activities include live programs, interactive or monitored web-based programs, online programs, and qualifying self-study programs.

Michigan specifically recognizes programs or activities approved or offered by the NCBTMB or an NCBTMB-approved sponsor, as well as certain programs approved by FSMTB, approved massage therapy schools, and other qualifying organizations.

Because MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00, qualifying courses offered through our provider can be used toward Michigan CE when they meet Michigan's subject-matter requirements.

Does Michigan Require Ethics CE?

Yes. Michigan requires at least 2 hours of continuing education in professional ethics or boundaries during each license cycle.

Does Michigan Require Pain and Symptom Management CE?

Yes. At least 1 hour of the required 18 CE hours must be in pain and symptom management.

Michigan specifically identifies areas such as behavior management, behavior modification, stress management, and clinical applications related to professional practice as examples of qualifying pain and symptom management education.

Does Michigan Require Human Trafficking Training?

Yes. Michigan massage therapists must complete training in identifying victims of human trafficking before renewing their license. According to the Michigan Massage Therapy Licensing Guide, this training is required beginning with 2019 renewals and only needs to be completed once. This training is separate from the general 18-hour CE requirement unless otherwise permitted under the applicable Michigan rules.

Does Michigan Require Implicit Bias Training?

Yes. Michigan requires implicit bias training as part of license renewal for health professionals regulated under the Public Health Code, including massage therapists.

For renewing licensees, the requirement is 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the license cycle. The initial renewal has special rules for calculating the required hours based on the date of the license and the implementation of the requirement.

Michigan's current rules allow several training formats, including live presentations, live synchronous webinars, and asynchronous teleconferences or webinars that meet the applicable standards. Our Implicit Bias course does not meet this requirement.

Does Michigan Require CE Documentation?

Yes. Michigan requires licensees to retain documentation showing compliance with continuing education requirements for 5 years from the date of the renewal application. If selected for an audit, documentation should show information such as the licensee's name, number of CE hours, sponsor or approving organization, and the date the course or activity was completed.

How to Complete Your Michigan Massage Therapy CE

Step 1: Check Your License Cycle

Michigan massage therapy licenses operate on a 3-year license cycle. Check your license and renewal information to determine your current renewal deadline.

Step 2: Complete 18 CE Hours

Complete at least 18 hours of qualifying continuing education during your license cycle.

Step 3: Complete the Required Subject Areas

Make sure your CE includes at least:

1 hour of pain and symptom management
2 hours of professional ethics or boundaries

Step 4: Complete Required Additional Training

Make sure you have completed Michigan's required human trafficking training and the appropriate implicit bias training for your renewal.

Step 5: Renew Your Michigan License

Submit your renewal application and attest to completing the required continuing education and training.

Michigan Massage Therapy CE FAQs

How many CE hours does Michigan require for massage therapists?

Michigan requires 18 CE hours every 3 years for massage therapy license renewal.

Does Michigan require ethics CE?

Yes. At least 2 of the 18 CE hours must be in professional ethics or boundaries.

Does Michigan require pain management CE?

Yes. At least 1 CE hour must be in pain and symptom management.

Can Michigan massage therapists take CE online?

Yes. Michigan allows qualifying online, web-based, and self-study continuing education when the activity meets the state's approval requirements.

Does Michigan accept NCBTMB-approved CE?

Yes. Michigan specifically recognizes CE programs and activities approved or offered by the NCBTMB or an NCBTMB-approved sponsor, provided the education meets Michigan's requirements.

Does Michigan require human trafficking training?

Yes. Massage therapists must complete qualifying training in identifying victims of human trafficking before renewal. The training is a one-time requirement.

Does Michigan require implicit bias training?

Yes. Implicit bias training is required for renewal and must be completed according to Michigan's requirements for the applicable license cycle.

Complete Your Michigan Massage Therapy CE

MassageTherapyCEU.com offers online and home-study continuing education for massage therapists, including courses in pain management, massage therapy techniques, professional ethics, anatomy, pathology, and clinical applications.

We are an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00, and qualifying NCBTMB-approved courses may be used toward Michigan massage therapy continuing education requirements.

Always verify your individual renewal requirements with the Michigan Board of Massage Therapy before renewing your license.