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Illinois Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 2026

Requirements last verified: September 1, 2026 View official state source

Illinois massage therapists must complete 25 hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew their massage therapy license. The renewal period is the 24 months preceding December 31 of each even-numbered year.

The required 25 hours must include 2 hours of ethics, 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention, and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Illinois allows qualifying continuing education to be completed through approved self-study, online, and other approved educational formats.

You can verify this information by visiting the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00, and our Illinois-specific 25-hour packages include the required ethics, sexual harassment prevention, and domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education.

Suggested courses for Illinois massage therapy license renewal:

  • Illinois 25 Hour Package 1
    • Functional Anatomy: Advanced Palpation – 21 CE hours
    • Ethics in Massage: Roles and Boundaries – 2 CE hours
    • Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Harassment Awareness and Prevention – 2 CE hours
  • Illinois 25 Hour Package 2
    • Positional Release Techniques – 21 CE hours
    • Ethics in Massage: Roles and Boundaries – 2 CE hours
    • Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Harassment Awareness and Prevention – 2 CE hours

Illinois Massage Therapy CE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement Illinois
CE Hours Required 25 hours
CE Period 24 months preceding December 31 of each even-numbered year
Ethics Requirement 2 hours of ethics
Sexual Harassment Prevention 1 hour
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Awareness 1 hour
Online/Self-Study CE Yes
First Renewal Exempt from CE requirements
CE Sponsor Must be an approved continuing education sponsor
CE Documentation Keep certificates and supporting documentation

How Many CE Hours Does an Illinois Massage Therapist Need?

Illinois massage therapists must complete a minimum of 25 hours of continuing education during the 24-month period preceding December 31 of each even-numbered year.

The 25 hours must include:

  • 2 CE hours of ethics
  • 1 CE hour of sexual harassment prevention
  • 1 CE hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness
  • 21 additional qualifying CE hours

Illinois defines one CE hour as 50 minutes.

Does Illinois Require an Ethics CE Course?

Yes. Illinois requires at least 2 hours of ethics as part of the 25-hour continuing education requirement.

Ethics education should relate to the ethical practice of massage therapy and professional responsibilities.

Does Illinois Require Sexual Harassment Prevention CE?

Yes. Illinois requires 1 hour of continuing education in sexual harassment prevention.

This requirement is included in the state's continuing education requirements for massage therapists.

Does Illinois Require Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault CE?

Yes. Beginning with the 2026 renewal, Illinois requires 1 hour of continuing education related to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.

This additional requirement increased the total continuing education requirement from 24 hours to 25 hours.

Can Illinois Massage Therapists Take CE Online?

Yes. Illinois permits qualifying continuing education to be completed through approved self-study courses, including electronic and web-based courses.

Illinois rules allow all 24 profession-specific CE hours to be earned through approved self-study courses, provided the course meets the applicable requirements and includes an examination.

The additional state-mandated education requirements may also be completed through qualifying approved courses.

Does Illinois Require an Approved CE Provider?

Yes. Continuing education must be earned through a program or course offered or sponsored by an approved continuing education sponsor.

MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00, and our Illinois 25-hour packages are designed to meet the Illinois massage therapy continuing education requirements.

Is CE Required for the First Illinois License Renewal?

No. Illinois rules state that a renewal applicant is not required to comply with the massage therapy CE requirements for the first renewal of an Illinois massage therapy license.

The regular continuing education requirement applies to subsequent renewals.

Does Illinois Accept CE Completed in Another State?

Yes. Illinois rules allow continuing education hours used to satisfy the CE requirements of another jurisdiction to also be applied toward Illinois CE requirements, provided the applicable Illinois requirements are met.

How to Complete Your Illinois Massage Therapy CE

Step 1: Check Your Renewal Date

Check your Illinois massage therapy license and determine your current renewal deadline. Illinois massage therapy licenses renew every two years on December 31 of even-numbered years.

Step 2: Complete 25 CE Hours

Complete 25 hours of qualifying continuing education during the applicable 24-month renewal period, including the required ethics, sexual harassment prevention, and domestic violence and sexual assault education.

Step 3: Complete Your Courses

Complete your qualifying online, self-study, or other approved continuing education courses according to the course requirements.

Step 4: Save Your Certificates

Keep your CE certificates and supporting documentation as proof of completion.

Step 5: Renew Your Illinois License

Complete your Illinois massage therapy license renewal and attest to meeting the continuing education requirements.

Illinois Massage Therapy CE FAQs

How many CE hours does Illinois require for massage therapists?

Illinois requires 25 CE hours every 2 years for massage therapy license renewal.

Does Illinois require ethics CE?

Yes. 2 of the required 25 CE hours must be ethics.

Does Illinois require sexual harassment prevention CE?

Yes. Illinois requires 1 CE hour of sexual harassment prevention.

Does Illinois require domestic violence and sexual assault CE?

Yes. Beginning with the 2026 renewal, Illinois requires 1 CE hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.

Can Illinois massage therapists take CE online?

Yes. Illinois allows qualifying self-study, electronic, and web-based continuing education courses.

Can I take all 25 Illinois CE hours through MassageTherapyCEU.com?

Yes. MassageTherapyCEU.com offers two Illinois-specific 25-hour packages that include the required ethics, sexual harassment prevention, and domestic violence and sexual assault education.

When does the Illinois CE requirement begin?

Illinois exempts massage therapists from the CE requirement for their first license renewal. The regular CE requirement applies to subsequent renewals.

Complete Your Illinois Massage Therapy CE

Need to complete your Illinois CE requirement? MassageTherapyCEU.com offers two Illinois-specific 25-hour packages, each including the required 2 hours of ethics, 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention, and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. We are an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00.

Before renewing your license, always verify the current requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.