If you are an Illinois massage therapist and wondering if this is the year you need to renew your license, it is. And if you are curious if there have been any changes for this license renewal, there have been. Here is a quick guide to the Illinois massage license renewal requirements.
When is the next Illinois massage license renewal deadline?
Illinois massage therapists must renew their licenses by December 31st, every even-numbered year. This means the next renewal deadline is December 31st, 2022.
What are the Illinois continuing education requirements for the Illinois massage license renewal?
All of the continuing Education requirements can be found in Section 1284.90
Here are a few of the highlights:
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- Due to the COVID pandemic, ALL 24 hours can be completed in a self-study format.
- Licensees are required to complete two (2) CE hours in ethics (such as Roles and Boundaries).
- This renewal also includes the addition of a one (1) hour sexual harassment awareness course requirement.
- Illinois requires twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal.
Okay, now let’s dive into some of these highlights a little more and let you know where you can find courses to complete your continuing education hours this renewal.
Who is considered an approved provider by the Board?
That information can be found in Section 1284.90 Continuing Education
c) Approved CE Sponsors and Programs
1) Sponsor shall mean:
A) Entities approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB);
B) The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and its chapters;
C) Any approved massage therapy program or accredited school, college, university or State agency; and
D) Any other person, firm, or association that has been approved and licensed by the Division pursuant to subsection (c)(2) to coordinate and present continuing education courses and programs in conjunction with this Section.
For 2020, I did not have to take hands-on courses. Is that still true for the 2022 renewal?
Yes! During a “normal” renewal, 12 of the 24 hours are required to be hands-on. But, again, not everything is back to normal just yet. So you are allowed to complete all 24 hours in a self-study or home study format. I have copied the Emergency Order to the bottom of this post if you want to read it.
But what if you are ready to get back in a classroom and complete your hours? Go for it! This Order does not mean that hands-on hours are excluded from credit. So, if you feel comfortable attending a hands-on or live course, you can still do that and obtain credit for your renewal from approved providers.
How much is the renewal fee?
The fee to renew an Illinois massage license is $175.
Where do I go to pay my Illinois massage license renewal fee?
You can click here to renew your license, or to visit the Illinois Board of Massage website (IDFPR or Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation).
I am ready to complete my continuing education for renewing my license, where can I find approved courses and packages?
Advanced Massage Techniques is an Illinois Massage Board-Approved Sponsor (#245.000085). Packages will include all 24 hours, but also individual courses, and the two required courses – Ethics and Sexual Harassment Awareness.
Can I view the Emergency Order for allowing all 24 hours to be self-study?
Yes! Here is the link to the Emergency Order. The language in it is below.
Heading of the Part: Massage Licensing Act
2) Code Citation: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1284
3) Section Number: Proposed Action:
1284.90 Amendment
4) Statutory Authority: Implementing the Massage Licensing Act [225 ILCS 57] and authorized by Section 2105-15(7) of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois [20 ILCS2105/2105-15(7)].
5) A Complete Description of the Subjects and Issues Involved: In light of the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Department is concerned about maintaining the health and safety of its licensees. In order to promote social distancing and reduce the risk of virus transmission, the Department wants to allow licensees with in-person continuing education (CE) requirements to be able to earn those CE credits online. The proposed amendment allows all CE credit hours to be earned remotely. Currently, CE credits must be earned in-person unless otherwise specified. The proposed amendment also specifies that online classes are permissible to fulfill licensed massage therapists’ CE requirement.
Where can I find approved courses from an approved provider?
You can find courses and more information on renewing your Illinois massage license here: Illinois Massage License Continuing Education
I applied for an Illinois license a few years ago in 2012 and it took me a whole 7 months to get it!!!
I ended up in a very, very bad situation financially. Not only did it take 7 months but each and every time I called (after waiting an hour) they would keep stringing me along with “it should only be a couple more weeks” so I waited and waited and waited. I didnt want to take a permanent position somewhere only to leave it in “a couple of weeks”. I landed a dream job in the city and had completed training for it. A company can only wait so long though…not 7 whole months. INSANE.
The wait time is bad enough but if only they would have been upfront about the true average time I could have settled into another position for that amount of time and it WOULD HAVE saved me from a lot of heartache and trouble. 🙁 It was truly awful, if only they were in our shoes.
Hi everyone! Just wanted to update, that the state of Illinois was/maybe still is, having serious issues with their departments. Once I called AMTA, I had my license approved the next day. So, it took just over three months for me to get my license. 100% unacceptable. Especially since they can cash the check right away!!!
Yay on getting your license! Thanks for the update!
Wow I am so sorry to hear all of these stories! I hope everyone is doing ok since, but wow I can only imagine. So then, in the meantime what happens? Do you have to go on without your license? You would think that it would benefit the state to invest in the infrastructure needed to keep their constituents in business. This benefits the economy, the citizens, everyone!
All my prayers to you all!
Well said! I do not believe they have a temporary license in IL where you can work while you wait. So, until the license is issued, you just have to wait.
Hello, I just happened to come across your blog while researching why IL is sooooooo slow to process massage therapy licensing??? I sent my application in on January .21
I have called three times and sat on hold an hour each time , only to be told they have not even pulled my exam scores yet. We are now in April, so 4 months and still waiting. Although I must say they cashed the processing check within two weeks of delivery. This process is supposed to take 4 to 6 weeks.
Just wanted to share , I hope they speed up the process so waiting therapists can get to work soon! trying to be patient.
Blessings
You poor people! From the comments below, it sounds like you have plenty of company! I know a background check here can take up to 8 weeks, but very rarely does. I see no reason for all of these delays. Hoping you get your license soon!
Hi! I am in desperate need for some answers! I recently renewed my license as everyone should have. But when I first got my massage license I was required to take the national exam, which I did. My national certification is up in April, But I just found out that NCBTMB have retired the National exam and now say you have to transition into being Board Certified, which requires a lot more. When I went onto the Illinois state requirements it still list that you have to be nationally certified. But this is so confusing because Illinois requires 500 hours of schooling but to be board certified you have to have 750 hours this is a big difference so how can this be? What am I missing??? Do I have to be board certified although I have already renewed my state license or is there something else I can do? Or do I not have to do anything and just let my national expire? PLEASE HELP!!!!! I have called so many schools and nobody can give me any answers!!!
Rachelle,
Now, Illinois massage law is not my specialty, but I hopefully can give you some advice. Now, where did you find that you have to be nationally certified after obtaining your massage license? Are you sure that you are not reading that you have to pass the national certification exam (NCETMB) to GET your license, not to MAINTAIN your license? People often get confused about that. Illinois accepts the MBLEx exam too, which leads me to believe that you do not have to be nationally certified to be a IL MT (https://www.fsmtb.org/content/?id=59) since the MBLEx is not a national certification. I would think your IL MT license is all you need to have a lawful practice within the state.
http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/068/068012840000300R.html
It’s amazing that anyone ever works in massage in this state! I moved from Iowa in October, and put my application in asap. They have had it for three months already and are still not to it yet. In fact, they received it November 2 and are only on processing October 18th as of today Feb. 1. The problem is, two weeks ago, they were on October 14th. Ridiculous.
THEN on top of that, I was told for the first time today, that once they do get to it, it will be another 4-8 weeks. I spent about $300 getting all the information to them that I needed: fingerprints, transcripts, test scores, and certification that I was licensed in Iowa. Only to be out of work as a therapist for most likely AT LEAST six months. I am so discouraged and upset right now. Not to mention, broke.
Hi Shannah,
Greetings from Iowa!!! When I got my Iowa license I sent my scores in early April and had my license within the week. I know Iowa’s load is less than other states, but they have always answered my emails, phone calls in a very timely manner. They set a good example. Having worked with other state boards, I am AMAZED at how long this process can take. I had to call the Illinois BOM one time and was on hold for a long, long time. When they did answer my call, I am pretty sure it was just a call center answering for lots of boards. The person did not seem familiar with IL massage law and rules.
I know there are states that do background checks, and having gone through the adoption process, I know that can take a while. But, there is no reason you should have to wait this long, pay that much money, and be out of commission to work.
I am sorry this is taking so long. I wish there was more I could do to help! Stop back and let me know when you receive your license!
Yes, every time I call Illinois it wastes about 40 minutes of my time before I even speak with someone. The background check is standard for Illinois, and it is electronically done and submitted but another entity and then sent to the state. And you’re right, it’s just a technical unit that can only tell you when they received your application, and what day they are on, as they process by date. I had to call for legal issues and was sent to another person, who sent me to another person, who I played phone tag with, and never even did get an answer from.
To be even more specific about how bad Illinois is. At the beginning of December. they told me it would be a month and a half as they process by date and were on early October and mine was received on November 2nd. So I called back in a month, then I was told they still had quite a ways to go, call back in a few weeks. So I called in a few weeks, on Jan 12th or so, and they were processing October 11th, call in a few weeks. So I call again, on Jan 22, and their information is from Jan 14th, and they’re on October 14th. I call today, and they’re on only on October 18th. Two weeks to process four days worth of applications? Ridiculous. I don’t know if that’s just for the whole state and all boards, or not. And I was told there was nothing I could do to speed up the process. Very rudely. But all I keep hearing from residents is “That’s Illinois” Except it hasn’t always been this bad, the massage therapist that is temping at the job I SHOULD be working at, told me three years ago it took maybe a month at most to get hers.
ooohh nooooo Shannah….. I literally googled “how long will it take to receive my IL State Lic back” and came across your posts!
I Just sent my packet last week..I am already antsy and irritated waiting for them to clear my payment…which means the have at least opened my packet. I am in IL with my military husband and am recently graduated (Dec) from an out of state school. I expect some delay because of this, but not the kind of delay you are experiencing, that I too will most likely deal with…HOLY CRAP!!! Thanks for posting…unfortunately I think have some bad news to break to my husband WHEN I will realistically be back to work….
~Bria
Hi Bria,
I really hope you do not have to wait that long. I was actually thinking today of messaging Shannon to see if she had heard anything.
My Iowa license was a 2 week turnaround from my NCETMB test date. My Florida License was about 6 weeks from my application to my license by endorsement. It would have been shorter, but I had to have my school resend a transcript because it must have got lost in the mail :/
If you guys could, please come back and post when you get your license (and when you applied). That will help others know the approximate turnaround time. Thanks! Hoping you have licenses in your hands soon!