Nevada recently updated important rules for massage therapy students. On June 18, the Nevada Legislative Commission (Commission) approved the Nevada Board of Massage Therapy’s (Board) decision to increase the minimum education hour requirement for massage therapy students and to retire the International Therapy Examination Counsel (ITEC) exam for license applicants.
The minimum education hours were raised from 550 hours to 625, effective July 1, 2024, preserving federal aid eligibility for many schools. This change in hours brings Nevada up to recommended educational best practices and retains Nevada’s eligibility as a participating state in the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact). Nevada was the first state to join the IMpact when Governor Joe Lombardo signed the IMpact bill language in June 2023.
Students who were enrolled in a program consisting of fewer than 625 hours will still be eligible for licensure if the program began before July 1. Individuals who were already licensed before this change do not need to complete extra hours to retain their license outside their usual continuing education requirements.
The ITEC exam has been retired for Nevada massage therapy license applicants effective immediately. However, there will be a grace period for individuals who are already scheduled to take the ITEC exam. Board members voted July 5, 2024, to send a letter to the Governor’s office to request an emergency rule to help clear the last of the applicants taking the ITEC exam. The Board will continue to recognize the ITEC exam for a massage therapist license for applicants who enrolled to take the ITEC examination, paid to take the ITEC examination, or who passed the ITEC examination on or before June 30, 2024.
Applicants who submitted a license application with their ITEC exam results before June 18, 2024, were moved to the top of the list for approval in anticipation of the rule change. Going forward, all Nevada massage therapy students will need to pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) to be eligible for a Nevada massage therapy license. Individuals who were already granted a license with an exam other than the MBLEx do not need to take a new exam to retain their license.
Email questions to nvmassagebd@lmt.nv.gov.