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Licensing Information

Complete an APPLI​CATIO​N REGISTRATION REQ​UES​T​​​​​​​ ​to apply for an Oregon Massage Therapist License.
 
To qualify to become a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Oregon, an applicant must:
  • Meet specific education requirements listed below, and
  • Pass the Oregon Jurisprudence (law) exam, and 
  • Have passed a Board approved written National Examination.  (MBLEX , NCBTMB, CESI). *NOTE: ALL NATIONAL EXAM RESULTS MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE EXAM PROVIDER.
  • The Board requires 625 hours/25 quarter credits/15.74 semester credits of education from an accredited or Department of Education approved school with the following:
  • The 625 hours/25 quarter credits/15.74 semester credits of education must include: 
  • A minimum of 200 hours/8 quarter credits/ 5.34 semester credits of health sciences, consisting of Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, and Kinesiology; and 
  • A minimum of 300 hours/12 quarter credits/8 semester credits of Massage Theory and Practical Application, Clinical Practice, Business Development, Sanitation, Communication, and Ethics. 
  • The remaining 125 hours/5 quarter credits /2.4 semester credits required may be in any of the above subject areas
Application Process
The applicant will need to do the following:
  1. Complete and submit an online registration request and required payment (if not already completed).
  2. Applicant will receive an email notification with log-in information to complete the online application.
  3. The Board will review the online submittal, supporting documentation, and fees as outlined in the Application for Licensure.
  4. The applicant will receive an email with a link and log-in information to complete the online Jurisprudence Examination. 
  5. The applicant will then complete the electronic fingerprinting process to initiate their background check. 
  6. Upon successful completion of steps 1-5 of the online application process and have submitted all required documentation, passing of the Jurisprudence Exam and background check, 
  7. The applicant will be given a link to pay for the initial license
  8. Once the board receives the initial license payment, the applicant will be issued a license.
Required Supporting Documentation
  • Official transcripts in a sealed envelope 
  • 2” X 2” color photograph (passport-sized) taken within the last 12 months 
  • A copy of a valid government-issued picture ID (such as, a driver’s license, passport etc.)
  • A list of three references that do not reside with you, yet can be relatives
  • A copy of a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
  • Results from a National Written Examination (MBLEX , NCBTMB, CESI). *NOTE: ALL NATIONAL EXAM RESULTS MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE EXAM PROVIDER.
Initial Licensing Fees 

 
Application Fee: $100.00
Fingerprint Processing Fee: ​$47.25​
Initial License Fee*: ​$100.00 - $200.00
 
  
*The Initial License Fee is based upon renewal date, which is based upon applicant birth month/year. Individuals born in odd numbered years will renew every odd numbered year, regardless of when their initial license was issued. Those born during an even year will renew every even year. Additionally, licensees must renew before the first day of their birth month. If an applicant’s first renewal is less than 12 months from time of issuance, the Initial License Fee is $100.00. If the applicant’s first renewal is more than 12 months from date of issuance, the Initial License Fee is $200.00.
  
Electronic Fingerprinting 
The board requires that all new candidates provide fingerprints for a national criminal background check prior to issuance of a license. Additionally, the state of Oregon requires electronic Fingerprinting, in lieu of fingerprint cards. There is a $47.25 Fingerprint Processing Fee payable to OBMT that will be required before the background check will be initiated. Please see the instructions below to schedule an appointment.
 
 **Note**: There will be a $12.50 fee accessed by Fieldprint for the process of obtaining your fingerprints.
 
 To Schedule an appointment for electronic fingerprinting, please follow the instructions below:
  • Visit www.FieldprintOregon.com  (YOU WILL NEED TO ENTER THIS FIELDPRINT CODE: FPORMassTherapistsDAS
  • Click on the “Schedule an Appointment” button.
  • Enter an email address under “New Users/Sign Up” and click the “Sign Up” button. Follow the instructions for creating a Password and Security Question and then click “Sign Up and Continue”. 
  • Enter the contact and demographic information required by the FBI and schedule a fingerprint appointment at the location of your choosing. 
  • At the end of the process, print the Confirmation Page. Take the Confirmation Page with you to your fingerprint appointment, along with two forms of identification.
  • If you have any questions or problems, you may contact our customer service team at 877-614-4364 or customerservice@fieldprint.com 
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​Step 1 (REGISTRATION​): Complete and submit an ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUEST​​ ​with required payment (if not already completed). When this step is completed, the applicant will receive a Customer and PIN number via email to complete the applications in step 2.

Step 2 (Application)​: Applicant will log-in with information provided to complete the online application HERE.

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The credentialing review and its additional $250 fee is only pertinent to those out of state applicants who have been legally practicing for many years and may not meet the traditional education requirement through certified class instruction. 

Upon completion of a credentialing review the Board may grant a license to applicants who are or have legally practiced massage and/or bodywork outside of the State of Oregon; after successful completion of the jurisprudence, and written examinations.
 
Official Transcripts or Certificates of Completion and Practical Work Experience must be documented on the Credentialing Review Application Addendum and Work Experience Verification Worksheet.
 
The applicant must provide transcripts for: 
  • 200 Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology and Kinesiology hours /8 quarter credits/5.34 semester credits of this with 120 hours/4.8 quarter credits/3.2 semester credits minimum must be from certified class instruction with up to 80 contact hours of prior continuing education in subject areas may apply; and
  • 300 hours/12 quarter credits/8 semester credits Massage Theory and Practical Application, Clinical Practice, Business Development, Sanitation, Communication and Ethics hours of this 140 hours/5.6 quarter credits/3.7 semester credits minimum must be from certified class instruction with up to 120 contact hours of prior continuing education in subject areas, up to 40 hours of practical work experience may apply, and;
  • 125 hours/5 quarter credits/2.4 semester credits which may be in either Health Sciences, Massage or Bodywork Theory and practical application, Clinical Practice, Business Development, Communication, Ethics, Sanitation or Hydrotherapy. Of the 125 hours required, up to 75 contact hours of prior continuing education in subject areas may apply.
​​

​The Board will accept one of the following approved written exams; the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), either the Therapeutic Massage (TM) or the Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (TMB) exams administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), or the Certification Examination for Structural Integration (CESI) administered by the Certification Board for Structural Integration (CBSI). *NOTE: ALL NATIONAL EXAM RESULTS MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE EXAM PROVIDER.

The MBLEx
The MBLEx exam is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. The FSMTB can be contacted by phone at 866-962-3926 or online at http://fsmtb.org. Applications can be downloaded from the Web site. If you have further questions, please contact the FSMTB.
 
The NCBTMB
The National Certification Exam is administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The NCBTMB can be contacted by phone at 800-296-0664 or through their Web Site at www.ncbtmb.org Applications can be downloaded from the Web site. The OBMT does not require you to obtain or maintain National Certification for the purpose of licensure.

The CESI

The Certification Examination for Structural Integration is administered by the Certification Board for Structural Integration (CBSI).  The CBSI can be contacted by phone at 206-209-5291 or through their web site at www.thecbsi.org​. Applications and a study guide can be downloaded from their web site. If you have further questions, please contact the CBSI.



All applicants must pass the 25 question, multiple-choice, open-book Jurisprudence (Law) Examination.  Upon submitting an application for licensure, the applicant will receive an email with a link and log-in information to complete the online Jurisprudence Examination.

​Arrest Records

An applicant must state on the application whether he/she has ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime exclusive of minor traffic offenses. Those who have been arrested must provide a copy of the arrest record, a copy of the judgment, a copy of the settlement of the judgment and a statement of explanation. An arrest record and/or conviction may result in denial of licensure.

Electronic Fingerprints

As of January 1, 2012 all new applicants applying for their initial license, all licensees applying to reinstate a lapsed license or inactive license, and all licensees under investigation are required to submit fingerprint for a criminal background check. Below are the steps you will want to follow: 
 
To Schedule an appointment for electronic fingerprinting, please follow the instructions below:
  • Visit www.FieldprintOregon.com  
  • Click on the “Schedule an Appointment” button.
  • Enter an email address under “New Users/Sign Up” and click the “Sign Up” button. Follow the instructions for creating a Password and Security Question and then click “Sign Up and Continue”.
  • Enter this Fieldprint Code: FPORMassTherapistsDAS
  • Enter the contact and demographic information required by the FBI and schedule a fingerprint appointment at the location of your choosing.
  • At the end of the process, print the Confirmation Page. Take the Confirmation Page with you to your fingerprint appointment, along with two forms of identification.
If you have any questions or problems, you may contact our customer service team at 877-614-4364 or customerservice@fieldprint.com 
 
Fingerprinting facilities are available nationwide for you to conveniently obtain your Electronic Fingerprints. Fingerprint facilities generally charge a fee of $12.50 for the service.
 
A $47.25 criminal background processing fee must be paid to the Board prior to becoming licensed or reactivating your license (Your fingerprints will not be processed without this fee being paid).  Payment should be made to the OBMT.  This fee is non-refundable. 
  ​

Applications must include original transcripts in a sealed envelope from the school. Transcripts must be stated in classroom hours or equivalent credit hours as defined by your education institution. If a program or institution granting credit is no longer in business, the Board will accept for review a copy of a certificate of completion or transcript or diploma in the required subject matter and hours. The Board may require additional information to verify the authenticity of such documents.

Other Documents
All applications must also include; a passport style photograph, a copy of current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (both front and back of card), and a copy of a government issued picture ID (e.g. driver's license, passport, military ID).
 
Health Endorsement applicants must include a copy of their current license and a license verification form completed by the issuing licensing agency.
 
What is Public Information?
When you become a licensd Massage Therapist, the following will become public information in accordance with ORS 192.410:
  • Your name and address
  • Email address
  • Phone number
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