NCBTMB Continuing Education Requirements 2026

If you are an NCBTMB Board Certified Massage Therapist, you must complete continuing education to renew your Board Certification. NCBTMB currently requires 24 hours of continuing education during each eligible two-year renewal period, including 3 hours of ethics education.

This guide explains the current NCBTMB continuing education requirements, what types of courses may qualify, the role of NCBTMB Approved Providers, the ethics requirement, self-care CE, renewal periods, documentation, and other important renewal information.

Last Updated: August 2026

Important: NCBTMB requirements can change. Always verify the current requirements with NCBTMB before submitting your renewal.

Quick Answer: What Are the NCBTMB CE Requirements?

For current NCBTMB Board Certification renewal, you must:

Requirement	Current NCBTMB Requirement
Continuing education	24 CE hours
Renewal period	Every 2 years
Ethics	At least 3 CE hours
Provider	Courses must be from NCBTMB Approved Providers
Self-care	Up to 4 CE hours may be accepted; self-care is not required
Carryover	CE hours cannot be carried over
Criminal background check	Required
State massage license	Required where state licensure is required
Renewal Fee	$140

NCBTMB's current renewal requirements state that Board Certificants must complete 24 hours of continuing education from NCBTMB Approved Providers, including 3 hours of ethics. NCBTMB also states that CE cannot be carried over or used multiple times and that only up to 4 CE hours of self-care are accepted.

How Many CE Hours Does NCBTMB Require?

NCBTMB currently requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years for Board Certification renewal. The 24 hours must be completed during your eligible two-year renewal period and must come from NCBTMB Approved Providers. The 24-hour requirement includes the ethics requirement. In other words, you do not need 24 general CE hours plus another 3 hours of ethics.

Your 24 hours can include:

3 hours of ethics
Additional qualifying massage therapy continuing education
Approved scientific courses
Anatomy courses
Physiology courses
Kinesiology courses
Business courses
Massage modalities
Other qualifying continuing education accepted by NCBTMB

NCBTMB specifically identifies scientific, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and business courses as areas that may be applied toward Board Certification renewal.

How Many Ethics CE Hours Does NCBTMB Require?

NCBTMB requires 3 hours of ethics education as part of the 24 CE hours required for renewal.

For example:

3 CE hours - Ethics
21 CE hours - Other qualifying continuing education

When selecting an ethics course, make sure the course is offered by an NCBTMB Approved Provider and meets NCBTMB's requirements.

What Is an NCBTMB Approved Provider?

An NCBTMB Approved Provider is a continuing education provider approved through NCBTMB's Approved Provider program. NCBTMB requires Board Certificants to receive their 24 renewal CE hours from NCBTMB Approved Providers. NCBTMB maintains a directory that can be used to verify approved providers and courses. Before purchasing a course for your NCBTMB renewal, it is a good idea to verify the provider's current approval status.

MassageTherapyCEU.com NCBTMB Approval

The Center for Massage Therapy Continuing Education is an NCBTMB Approved Provider, Provider #409296-00.

Our NCBTMB-approved courses can be used toward NCBTMB Board Certification renewal. NCBTMB course numbers are printed on your course certificate.

Browse NCBTMB CE Courses

View 24-Hour NCBTMB CE Packages

Can I Take Online CE Courses for NCBTMB Renewal?

Yes. NCBTMB's renewal requirements are based on qualifying continuing education from NCBTMB Approved Providers. However, you should always make sure that the specific provider and course meet current NCBTMB requirements before completing the course.

Online continuing education can be a convenient option for massage therapists who need to complete their CE hours around work, family and other professional responsibilities.

MassageTherapyCEU.com offers online and home-study continuing education courses for massage therapists, including courses that can be applied toward NCBTMB Board Certification renewal.

What Types of Courses Can Count Toward NCBTMB Renewal?

NCBTMB accepts qualifying continuing education in a variety of subject areas. Examples include:

Massage therapy techniques and modalities
Anatomy
Physiology
Kinesiology
Scientific education
Ethics and professionalism
Professional communication
Assessment
Business and practice management
Laws and business practices
Other qualifying professional education

NCBTMB also publishes specific acceptable and unacceptable course-content guidelines. Not every course related to massage therapy will automatically qualify, so it is important to select education that meets NCBTMB's current standards.

Does NCBTMB Require Self-Care CE?

No. Self-care is not a required category for NCBTMB renewal. However, NCBTMB currently allows up to 4 CE hours of self-care to be applied toward the 24-hour renewal requirement. This means that if you choose to take a qualifying self-care course, you may use up to 4 hours toward your renewal, but you are not required to complete self-care education.

Can NCBTMB CE Hours Be Carried Over?

No. NCBTMB states that CE hours cannot be carried over from one renewal period to another. CE hours also cannot be used multiple times within or across renewal periods. If you renew late, NCBTMB has additional rules regarding the dates of CE completed for that renewal. For this reason, it is important to complete your required CE during the correct renewal period.

When Do I Need to Complete My NCBTMB CE Hours?

Your 24 CE hours must be completed during your eligible two-year NCBTMB renewal period. NCBTMB allows Board Certificants to submit a renewal application up to six months before the expiration date. Renewing early does not change the next renewal period.

If your Board Certification expires, additional rules may apply. NCBTMB states that if your certification has been expired for more than one year, you must apply for Board Certification again and take the Board Certification examination.

What Documentation Do I Need for NCBTMB Renewal?

When you renew your Board Certification, NCBTMB requires documentation of your qualifying education. You should keep copies of your CE certificates after completing your courses. NCBTMB currently states that you will be required to upload:

Your state massage therapy license, when applicable
Your CE certificates

during the renewal process.

Your CE certificate should clearly identify the course, number of CE hours and the applicable provider/course information.
At MassageTherapyCEU.com, NCBTMB course numbers are printed on your certificates.

What Other Requirements Are There for NCBTMB Renewal?

Continuing education is only one part of maintaining Board Certification.

NCBTMB's current renewal requirements also include:

Valid Massage Therapy License

If you practice in a state that requires massage therapy licensure, you must have a valid massage therapy license.

Criminal Background Check

NCBTMB performs a criminal background check as part of the renewal process.

Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

Board Certificants must agree to uphold NCBTMB's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

NCBTMB Requirements vs. State Massage Therapy CE Requirements

One of the most important things to understand is that NCBTMB Board Certification requirements and state massage therapy license requirements are not necessarily the same. NCBTMB is a national credentialing organization, while massage therapy licenses are regulated by individual states.

Your state may require:

A different number of CE hours
Specific ethics education
State-specific laws or rules
Human trafficking education
Sexual misconduct or harassment education
Mandatory reporter education
Limits on online or home-study CE
Other state-specific courses

If you maintain both a massage therapy license and NCBTMB Board Certification, you should review both sets of requirements.

Find Your State's Massage Therapy CE Requirements

Visit our state-by-state massage therapy continuing education guide to find information about CE requirements and provider approvals.

View Massage Therapy CE Requirements by State

How to Complete Your 24 NCBTMB CE Hours

Completing your NCBTMB renewal requirements can be simple when you plan ahead.

Step 1: Check Your Renewal Date

Determine when your current NCBTMB Board Certification expires.

Step 2: Determine Your CE Requirement

You need 24 qualifying CE hours during your eligible two-year renewal period.

Step 3: Complete Your Ethics Requirement

Make sure at least 3 of your 24 CE hours are in ethics.

Step 4: Choose an NCBTMB Approved Provider

Verify that your continuing education provider is currently approved by NCBTMB.

Step 5: Complete Your Courses

Complete all required CE during your eligible renewal period.

Step 6: Save Your Certificates

Keep your CE certificates and other required documentation.

Step 7: Submit Your NCBTMB Renewal

Complete the renewal process through NCBTMB and upload the required documentation.

NCBTMB 24-Hour CE Packages

If you need all 24 hours for your NCBTMB renewal, MassageTherapyCEU.com offers several 24-hour CE packages. Our packages are designed to make it easier to complete your entire NCBTMB continuing education requirement in one place.

If you prefer to choose your own courses, you can also select individual courses from our catalog.

Browse All Massage Therapy CE Courses

Frequently Asked Questions About NCBTMB CE Requirements

How many CE hours does NCBTMB require?

NCBTMB currently requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years for Board Certification renewal.

How many ethics hours are required for NCBTMB renewal?

3 of the required 24 CE hours must be in ethics.

Is the 3-hour ethics requirement included in the 24 hours?

Yes. The 3 ethics hours are part of the total 24 CE hours.

Can I take online courses for NCBTMB CE?

Qualifying continuing education from NCBTMB Approved Providers may be used toward renewal. Always verify that the provider and course meet current NCBTMB requirements.

Does NCBTMB require self-care CE?

No. Self-care is not required. However, NCBTMB currently accepts up to 4 self-care CE hours toward the 24-hour requirement.

Can I carry NCBTMB CE hours over to my next renewal?

No. NCBTMB does not allow CE hours to be carried over between renewal periods.

Can I use the same CE course for more than one renewal period?

No. NCBTMB states that CE cannot be used multiple times within or across renewal periods.

Do my NCBTMB CE hours have to come from an Approved Provider?

Yes. NCBTMB's current renewal requirements specify 24 hours of continuing education from NCBTMB Approved Providers.

Do I need to keep my CE certificates?

Yes. NCBTMB requires CE certificates to be uploaded as part of the renewal process.

How often do I renew my NCBTMB Board Certification?

Board Certification must be renewed every two years.

Can I renew my NCBTMB certification early?

Yes. NCBTMB currently allows renewals to be submitted up to six months before the expiration date. Early renewal does not change the next renewal period.

What happens if my NCBTMB certification expires?

NCBTMB has specific rules for expired certifications. If your Board Certification has been expired for more than one year, NCBTMB states that you must apply for Board Certification again and take the Board Certification exam.

Where can I verify the current NCBTMB requirements?

The best source for current requirements is NCBTMB's official Board Certification Renewal page. Requirements can change, so always verify the information before completing your renewal.

Official NCBTMB Resources

For the most current information, visit NCBTMB's official resources:

MassageTherapyCEU.com provides this information as an educational resource for massage therapists. NCBTMB requirements may change, so always verify current requirements directly with NCBTMB.

Complete Your NCBTMB CE Requirements With MassageTherapyCEU.com

Need 24 CE hours for your NCBTMB Board Certification renewal?

MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider (#409296-00) offering a wide selection of massage therapy continuing education courses and 24-hour CE packages. Whether you need your full 24 hours or only a few courses to complete your renewal, you can choose from online and home-study options.