New York Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 2026
New York licensed massage therapists must complete 36 hours of acceptable continuing education during each three-year registration period to renew their registration. New York allows continuing education to be completed online.
MassageTherapyCEU.com is a New York-approved continuing education provider (#0025), so New York massage therapists can complete all of their required 36 hours of continuing education online through our approved courses.
Suggested New York CE Courses and Packages:
- New York 36 Hour Package 1
- Neuromuscular Therapy – 20 CE hours
- Myofascial Release – 16 CE hours
- New York 36 Hour Package 2
- Orthopedic Massage – 17 CE hours
- Facilitated PNF Stretching – 11 CE hours
- Deep Tissue Massage for Muscular Conditions – 8 CE hours
- New York 36 Hour Package 3
- Medical Massage – 18 CE hours
- Evidence Based Massage – 12 CE hours
- Massage and Migraines – 6 CE hours
- Massage therapists can also choose a combination of CE hours totalling their 36 required hours.
New York Massage Therapy CE Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | New York |
|---|---|
| CE Required | 36 hours every 3 years |
| Online CE | All 36 hours may be completed online |
| Self-Instructional CE | Limited to 12 hours |
| Provider | New York-approved CE sponsor/provider |
| First Registration Period | No CE required |
| CE Topics | Must contribute to professional massage therapy practice |
| Ethics/Laws | Qualifying professional rules, regulations, standards, law and ethics may count |
| CE Hour | At least 50 minutes |
| Recordkeeping | Maintain documentation of completed CE |
| Carryover | CE cannot be carried into another registration period |
How Many CE Hours Does New York Require?
New York requires 36 hours of acceptable formal continuing education during each three-year registration period. A registration period that is less than three years may have a prorated requirement based on the length of the registration period.
Massage therapists do not have to complete continuing education during the three-year registration period in which they are first licensed.
Can New York Massage Therapists Complete CE Online?
Yes. New York allows licensed massage therapists to complete all or some of their continuing education online.
Online CE Through MassageTherapyCEU.com
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an approved New York continuing education provider (#0025). Our courses are structured continuing education courses provided by an approved sponsor and are not classified as self-instructional coursework simply because they are delivered online.
Therefore, New York massage therapists can complete all 36 required CE hours online through MassageTherapyCEU.com, provided the courses selected are acceptable for New York continuing education.
What Subjects Qualify for New York CE?
New York requires continuing education to contribute to the professional practice of massage therapy.
Acceptable subject areas include:
- Massage therapy theory and techniques
- Anatomy and physiology
- Clinical interventions and evidence-based models
- Philosophy and principles of massage therapy
- Health care subjects related to professional practice
- Professional rules and regulations
- Standards of good practice
- Precautions
- Law and ethics
- Subjects related to the health, safety and welfare of the public
Courses involving massage techniques or modalities must remain within the legal scope of massage therapy in New York. Courses designed solely to maximize profits for a massage practice are not acceptable.
Ethics and Laws & Regulations
New York does not require a separate number of ethics CE hours as a standalone requirement.
How to Complete Your New York CE Requirements
- Determine when your current three-year registration period ends.
- Complete 36 hours of acceptable continuing education during the registration period.
- Select courses that relate to the professional practice of massage therapy.
- If taking online CE, make sure the provider and courses meet New York requirements.
- Keep your certificates and other documentation of completion.
- Complete your New York registration renewal.
MassageTherapyCEU.com provides online continuing education courses through a New York-approved provider, allowing therapists to complete their required CE from home or anywhere with internet access.
New York Massage Therapy CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a New York massage therapist need?
New York requires 36 hours of acceptable continuing education every three years.
Can I complete all 36 New York CE hours online?
Yes. New York allows all or some continuing education to be completed online. The 12-hour limit applies specifically to self-instructional coursework, not online CE generally.
Is there a 12-hour limit on online CE in New York?
No. The 12-hour restriction is on self-instructional coursework. Online continuing education provided through an approved sponsor is a separate category.
Can I take all 36 hours through MassageTherapyCEU.com?
Yes. MassageTherapyCEU.com is a New York-approved continuing education provider (#0025) and offers qualifying online courses that can be used toward the New York 36-hour requirement.
Do I need ethics CE in New York?
New York does not specify a separate ethics-hour requirement. Ethics, law, professional standards and regulations can be acceptable continuing education when they contribute to professional massage therapy practice.
Do I need CE during my first registration period?
No. New York does not require continuing education during the three-year registration period in which you are first licensed.
How long is the New York massage therapy registration period?
The standard registration period is three years. Registration periods of less than three years may have a prorated CE requirement.
Complete Your New York Massage Therapy CE Online
MassageTherapyCEU.com makes it easy for New York massage therapists to complete their continuing education online. As a New York-approved continuing education provider (#0025), we offer courses covering massage therapy techniques, anatomy, clinical topics, ethics, professional practice and other qualifying subjects.