Tennessee Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 2026
Tennessee massage therapists must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years as a prerequisite for license renewal. Of the 24 required hours, 2 hours must pertain to Tennessee statutes and rules concerning massage therapists and establishments, and 2 hours must pertain to management of practicing massage therapy, professional ethics, or substance abuse.
Tennessee limits the amount of continuing education that may be completed through internet, correspondence, distance learning, and other multimedia formats to 8 hours per two-year continuing education cycle. This means MassageTherapyCEU.com courses may be used for up to 8 hours of your Tennessee CE requirement. You can verify current requirements through the Tennessee Department of Health Board of Massage Licensure.
Because Tennessee allows a maximum of 8 CE hours in online formats, these courses can be used as options for the online/home-study portion of your requirement:
- Deep Tissue Massage for Muscular Conditions – 8 CE hours
- Lymphatic Drainage Basics – 8 CE hours
- Muscle Energy Techniques – 8 CE hours
- Kinesiology and Acupressure Taping – 6 CE hours
- Orthopedic Trigger Point Therapy – 6 CE hours
- Introduction to Polarity Therapy – 6 CE hours
- Ethics in Massage – Roles and Boundaries – 2 CE hours
Tennessee Massage Therapy CE Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| CE Hours Required | 24 CE hours every 2 years |
| Tennessee Law | 2 CE hours covering Tennessee massage statutes and rules |
| Management/Ethics/Substance Abuse | 2 CE hours |
| Online/Home Study | Maximum 8 CE hours per cycle |
| CE Provider | NCBTMB or FSMTB-approved providers are recognized, subject to Tennessee requirements |
| Renewal Period | Every 2 years |
| Documentation | Maintain records for 4 years from the end of the cycle |
| CE Reporting | Attest to completion at renewal; proof may be requested by the Board |
How Many CE Hours Does a Tennessee Massage Therapist Need?
Tennessee massage therapists must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years as a prerequisite for license renewal.
The continuing education cycles run on two-calendar-year periods. The Tennessee Board provides a prorated CE schedule for new licensees based on the month the license is issued. New licensees are no longer automatically exempt from CE during their first year of licensure.
Two of the required 24 hours must cover Tennessee statutes and rules concerning massage therapists and establishments. Another two hours must cover management of practicing massage therapy, professional ethics, or substance abuse.
Tennessee CE Provider Requirements
Tennessee recognizes continuing education provided by organizations and providers approved by the NCBTMB, as well as certain other organizations and educational institutions. MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00.
However, Tennessee has an important additional requirement: the 2 hours covering Tennessee statutes and rules must be approved by the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board. NCBTMB provider status alone does not make a Tennessee law course acceptable.
Can Tennessee Massage Therapists Take CE Online?
Yes, but there is an 8-hour limit. Tennessee allows a maximum of 8 of the required 24 CE hours to be completed through multimedia formats, including internet courses, correspondence courses, distance learning, videoconferencing, and other listed formats.
Does Tennessee Require Ethics Continuing Education?
Tennessee requires 2 hours of the 24-hour requirement to pertain to management of practicing massage therapy, professional ethics, or substance abuse.
Does Tennessee Require CPR Continuing Education?
Tennessee recognizes an American Heart Association CPR course as Board-approved continuing education. American Red Cross courses in CPR, HIV, or Standard First Aid are also recognized.
CPR is not listed as a separate required number of CE hours for Tennessee massage therapists. Qualifying CPR education may be used as part of the continuing education requirement when applicable.
How to Complete Your Tennessee Massage Therapy CE
Step 1: Check Your Renewal Cycle
Determine which two-year continuing education cycle applies to your Tennessee massage therapy license.
Step 2: Complete 24 CE Hours
Complete the required 24 hours of qualifying continuing education during the applicable two-year cycle.
Remember that no more than 8 hours may be completed through multimedia formats, including online or correspondence courses.
Step 3: Complete the Required Subject Areas
Make sure your 24 hours include:
- 2 hours covering Tennessee massage statutes and rules
- 2 hours covering management of practicing massage therapy, professional ethics, or substance abuse
The Tennessee law requirement must be completed through a course approved by the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board.
Step 4: Renew Your License
Attest to completing the required continuing education when renewing your Tennessee massage therapy license. Do not send course certificates with your renewal unless the Board requests them.
Tennessee Massage Therapy CE FAQs
How many CE hours are required for Tennessee massage therapists?
Tennessee requires 24 CE hours every two years for massage therapy license renewal.
Can I take all of my Tennessee massage therapy CE online?
No. Tennessee limits internet, correspondence, distance learning, and other multimedia formats to 8 CE hours per two-year cycle.
How many Tennessee massage CE hours can I take from MassageTherapyCEU.com?
You may use up to 8 hours of online/home-study continuing education from MassageTherapyCEU.com toward your Tennessee renewal requirement.
Does Tennessee require ethics CE?
Yes. 2 of the 24 required hours must pertain to management of practicing massage therapy, professional ethics, or substance abuse.
Does Tennessee require a Tennessee law course?
Yes. 2 of the 24 required hours must cover Tennessee statutes and rules concerning massage therapists and establishments. These courses must be approved by the Tennessee Massage Licensure Board.
Does Tennessee accept NCBTMB-approved CE?
Yes. Tennessee recognizes course providers approved by the NCBTMB or FSMTB, subject to Tennessee's specific requirements. However, the required Tennessee statutes and rules course must receive Board approval.
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00.
How long should I keep my Tennessee CE certificates?
Tennessee requires massage therapists to retain independent documentation of completion of continuing education for four years from the end of the cycle in which the education was acquired. The Board may request proof during its verification process.
Do I send my CE certificates when I renew my Tennessee license?
No. The Tennessee Board states that licensees attest to completion when renewing and should not submit course certificates with the renewal. Documentation should be retained in case the Board requests proof.
Where can I verify Tennessee massage therapy CE requirements?
You can verify current requirements or contact the state through the Tennessee Department of Health Board of Massage Licensure.