How to Get a South Carolina Massage License

Last updated: August 23, 2026

South Carolina raised its hour requirement in 2024 but did not make the change retroactive — and it still wants a paper check. Since May 26, 2024 applicants need 650 hours of massage school; graduates who finished before that date may still apply on a 500-hour transcript. The application costs $210, payable by check or money order only, and continuing education runs at a steady six hours a year.

What South Carolina Actually Requires

• 650 hours of massage therapy school education as of May 26, 2024.
• A grandfather clause: graduates who completed school before May 26, 2024 may apply for licensure with a 500-hour transcript.
• The MBLEx from the FSMTB ($265) — proof of a passing score is required.
• $210.00 application fee, by check or money order made payable to LLR – Massage Therapy Panel.

What It Costs

Item	Cost	Notes
Application fee	$210	Check or money order only, payable to LLR – Massage Therapy Panel
MBLEx exam	$265	Paid to FSMTB
Massage school	Tuition varies widely	650 hours since May 2024; 500-hour transcripts still accepted for earlier graduates
Continuing education	Varies	6 hours annually, 12 per renewal cycle
South Carolina LLC	$125	Articles of organization, Business Entities Online

The 2024 Hour Increase Has a Grandfather Clause

Several states raised their massage education minimum in 2024. South Carolina is the one that wrote in an explicit carve-out. As of May 26, 2024 new applicants need 650 hours — but massage graduates who completed school prior to May 26, 2024 may apply for licensure with 500-hour transcripts.

That matters if you finished a 500-hour program a few years ago and never got around to licensing, or if you are relocating with older credentials. In several neighboring states those hours would now be short. In South Carolina, the graduation date is what counts — so dig out the transcript and check the date before assuming you need to go back to school.

Two practical notes on the mechanics. The $210 application fee is payable by check or money order only, made out to LLR – Massage Therapy Panel, so budget the extra days for post. And continuing education is annual rather than lumped: six hours each year, twelve across a cycle that runs from July 1 of an even year to June 30 of the next even year.

How to Get Licensed, In Order

1. Check your graduation date. Before May 26, 2024 means a 500-hour transcript is still acceptable; after it, you need 650 hours.
2. Pass the MBLEx ($265 through FSMTB) and obtain proof of the passing score.
3. Write a check or money order for $210 payable to LLR – Massage Therapy Panel — no card.
4. Submit the application to the South Carolina Board of Massage Therapy.
5. Plan six CE hours a year, not twelve every second year.
6. Opening a studio? Register the entity, check city and county requirements, and bind liability insurance before the first client.

Staying Licensed

South Carolina licensees need six hours annually of Board-approved continuing education, twelve hours per renewal cycle, on a cycle running from July 1 of even years to June 30 of even years. Because the requirement is annual rather than biennial, letting a year slide leaves you short even if the cycle total looks reachable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours does South Carolina require for a massage license?

650 hours of massage therapy school education as of May 26, 2024. Graduates who completed school before that date may still apply for licensure using a 500-hour transcript — the change is not retroactive.

How much does a South Carolina massage license cost?

$210.00 for the application, paid by check or money order made payable to LLR – Massage Therapy Panel. The board does not take a card for this. Add $265 for the MBLEx and massage school tuition.

How much continuing education does South Carolina require?

Six hours annually of Board-approved continuing education, making twelve hours per renewal cycle. The cycle runs from July 1 of even years to June 30 of even years.

What exam does South Carolina require?

Proof of having passed the MBLEx, the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards examination.

Forming the company, taxes, insurance, and hiring are covered in our full guide to starting a business in South Carolina.

Sources

Source	What It Covers
SC Board of Massage Therapy — Licensure	650 hours since May 26 2024, the 500-hour grandfather clause, MBLEx proof, $210 by check or money order
SC Board of Massage Therapy — Continuing Education Requirements	6 hours annually, 12 per cycle, July-to-June even-year cycle
SC Board of Massage Therapy — Fees	Current fee schedule
SC Board of Massage Therapy — Examination for Licensure	MBLEx requirement
FSMTB — MBLEx	MBLEx registration and $265 exam fee