Connecticut Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 2026
Connecticut massage therapists are required to complete 24 hours of qualifying continuing education every four years to renew their massage therapy license. Connecticut allows up to 18 of the required 24 hours to be completed through Internet-based or distance learning programs.
Continuing education must be related to the licensee's massage therapy practice. Connecticut recognizes courses offered by providers approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00, making our qualifying courses a convenient option for Connecticut massage therapists completing continuing education. So you can complete up to 18 CE hours from us for your Connecticut massage therapy license renewal. You can verify this information or contact the state of Connecticut with further questions by visiting the Connecticut Board of Massage.
Suggested Connecticut courses:
- Cupping Therapy - 18 CE hours
- Medical Massage Therapy - 18 CE hours
- Trigger Point Therapy - 18 CE hours
Connecticut Massage Therapy CE Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Required CE | 24 hours |
| CE period | Every 4 years |
| Maximum online/distance learning | 18 hours |
| Maximum from non-NCBTMB-approved providers | 12 hours |
| NCBTMB-approved provider | Preferred/qualifying source |
| Ethics requirement | No separate mandatory ethics-hour requirement identified |
| CE certificate retention | 6 years |
| First renewal | Exempt from CE until the next registration period |
| Carryover | CE applies to the applicable four-year period |
How Many CE Hours Does a Connecticut Massage Therapist Need?
Connecticut massage therapists must complete a minimum of 24 hours of qualifying continuing education every four years when applying for license renewal. The CE must be related to the licensee's massage therapy practice.
Connecticut's four-year CE period is different from many states that require massage therapists to complete CE every one or two years.
For Connecticut massage therapists, the requirement is:
- 24 total CE hours
- Every 4 years
- CE must relate to massage therapy practice
- Up to 18 hours may be completed online or through distance learning
- No more than 12 hours may come from providers that are not NCBTMB-approved
- CE certificates must be retained for at least 6 years
Connecticut CE Provider Requirements
Connecticut does not maintain a list of individually approved massage therapy CE courses or pre-approve specific coursework for individual licensees.
Instead, the Connecticut Department of Public Health states that qualifying continuing education must be related to the licensee's practice and may include courses offered by providers approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00.
Can Connecticut Massage Therapists Take CE Online?
Yes.
Connecticut allows massage therapists to complete up to 18 of the required 24 CE hours through Internet-based or distance learning programs.
This means Connecticut massage therapists can complete a significant portion of their required continuing education online.
The maximum is:
18 online/distance learning hours out of 24 total CE hours.
The remaining 6 hours must be completed through another qualifying continuing education format.
Can Connecticut Massage Therapists Take All 24 CE Hours Online?
No.
Connecticut currently limits Internet-based and distance learning education to 18 hours of the required 24 hours.
Therefore, a Connecticut massage therapist who completes the maximum online CE would still need 6 additional hours of qualifying continuing education through another approved format.
This is an important distinction for Connecticut massage therapists because the state allows considerably more online CE than many states, but does not allow all 24 hours to be completed through Internet-based or distance learning programs.
Does Connecticut Require Ethics CE?
Connecticut's current massage therapy continuing education requirements call for 24 hours of qualifying CE related to the licensee's practice, but do not identify a separate mandatory number of ethics hours.
Ethics courses may still be useful for professional development or to satisfy another credential or professional organization's requirements.
If you are taking an ethics course for a specific requirement, verify that the course satisfies the organization or jurisdiction requiring it.
How Long Does a Connecticut Massage Therapist Need to Keep CE Certificates?
Connecticut requires massage therapists to obtain a certificate of completion for successfully completed continuing education and retain the certificate for a minimum of six years.
The Department of Public Health may request documentation of completed CE.
Massage therapists should keep their certificates in a secure location and make sure their records clearly show the course title, provider, date, and number of CE hours completed.
Does Connecticut Require CE for the First Renewal?
No.
A Connecticut massage therapist applying for their first license renewal is exempt from the continuing education requirement until the next registration period. After the first registration period, the regular four-year continuing education requirement applies.
Are Any Connecticut Massage Therapists Exempt from CE?
Connecticut also provides an exemption for individuals who have been continuously licensed as a massage therapist in Connecticut since February 1, 1994.
The Department of Public Health may also grant a waiver or extension in certain circumstances, including qualifying medical disability or illness. Waiver requests must be made according to the Department's requirements.
How Often Does a Connecticut Massage Therapist Renew Their License?
Connecticut massage therapist licenses expire every two years on the last day of the licensee's birth month. The CE requirement, however, is measured over a four-year period. This means Connecticut has a two-year license renewal cycle but a four-year continuing education cycle. That distinction is important when planning your CE.
How to Complete Your Connecticut Massage Therapy CE
Step 1: Check Your License Renewal Date
Connecticut massage therapy licenses expire every two years on the last day of the licensee's birth month. Check your license to confirm your current expiration date.
Step 2: Determine Where You Are in Your Four-Year CE Period
Connecticut requires 24 hours of qualifying continuing education every four years.
Make sure you know which four-year CE period applies to your license.
Step 3: Plan Your Online CE
You may complete up to 18 of the 24 required hours through Internet-based or distance learning programs.
MassageTherapyCEU.com offers convenient online and home-study massage therapy continuing education courses for this portion of the requirement.
Step 4: Choose Qualifying Courses
Choose courses that relate to your massage therapy practice.
If using a provider that is not NCBTMB-approved, remember that Connecticut limits non-NCBTMB-approved provider education to 12 hours.
Step 5: Complete Your Remaining CE
If you complete 18 hours online, you will need an additional 6 hours of qualifying continuing education through another acceptable format.
Step 6: Keep Your Certificates
Keep your CE certificates for at least six years. Connecticut may request documentation of your completed continuing education.
Step 7: Complete Your License Renewal
When renewing your Connecticut massage therapy license, you will be asked to attest that you satisfy the continuing education requirements. Certificates generally should not be sent to the Department unless you are specifically instructed to provide them.
Connecticut Massage Therapy CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a Connecticut massage therapist need?
Connecticut massage therapists must complete 24 hours of qualifying continuing education every four years.
How often does Connecticut require massage therapy CE?
Connecticut requires 24 hours of qualifying CE every four years.
How many Connecticut massage therapy CE hours can be completed online?
Connecticut allows up to 18 of the required 24 hours to be completed through Internet-based or distance learning programs.
Can I complete all 24 Connecticut CE hours online?
No. Connecticut currently limits Internet-based and distance learning CE to 18 hours. You will need 6 additional qualifying hours through another format.
Does Connecticut accept NCBTMB-approved courses?
Yes. Connecticut specifically identifies courses offered by providers approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as qualifying continuing education.
How many CE hours can I take from a non-NCBTMB-approved provider?
No more than 12 of the required 24 hours may be obtained from providers that are not NCBTMB-approved.
Does Connecticut require ethics CE?
Connecticut's current massage therapy CE requirements do not specify a separate mandatory number of ethics hours. The required 24 hours must be related to the licensee's practice.
How long should I keep my Connecticut CE certificates?
Connecticut requires massage therapists to retain CE certificates for a minimum of six years.
Does Connecticut require CE for the first license renewal?
No. A massage therapist applying for their first license renewal is exempt from the CE requirement until the next registration period.
When does a Connecticut massage therapy license expire?
Connecticut massage therapist licenses expire biennially on the last day of the licensee's birth month.
Can I use MassageTherapyCEU.com courses for Connecticut CE?
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00. Connecticut specifically recognizes CE offered by NCBTMB-approved providers, subject to the state's other requirements.
How many Connecticut CE hours can I take through MassageTherapyCEU.com?
Because Connecticut allows up to 18 hours of Internet-based or distance learning, qualifying online courses from MassageTherapyCEU.com can be used for up to 18 hours of the 24-hour requirement.
The remaining 6 hours must be completed through another qualifying format.
Complete Your Connecticut Massage Therapy CE
Connecticut offers massage therapists a convenient option for completing much of their required continuing education online. The state requires 24 hours every four years, with up to 18 hours allowed through Internet-based or distance learning.
MassageTherapyCEU.com offers online massage therapy continuing education courses from an NCBTMB Approved Provider (#409296-00), making our courses a convenient option for Connecticut massage therapists completing the online portion of their CE requirement.
Remember that Connecticut requires the remaining 6 hours through another qualifying format and that CE certificates must be retained for at least six years.
Always verify the current requirements with the Connecticut Department of Public Health before completing your continuing education.