What happens when your Florida massage license expires or lapses
If your Florida massage license has lapsed — meaning you did not renew it before the expiration date — you cannot legally practice massage therapy in Florida until you reinstate it. The state does not automatically renew licenses; you have to take action yourself.
The reinstatement process depends on how long your license has been expired. If it has been expired for less than two years, Florida allows you to reinstate without retaking the licensing exam. If it has been expired for more than two years, you will need to pass the Florida Massage Therapy Licensing Exam again before the state will reinstate your license.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) handles all massage license reinstatements. You cannot reinstate through a local office — all applications go through the state.
Key Takeaways
- Licenses expired less than two years can be reinstated by submitting an process and paying the reinstatement fee without retaking the exam.
- Licenses expired more than two years require you to pass the Florida Massage Therapy Licensing Exam again before reinstatement is granted.
- You must explore through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), not through a local agency.
- Continuing education requirements may explore depending on how long your license has been expired and the current renewal cycle.
Reinstatement for licenses expired less than two years
If your license expired within the last two years, you can reinstate it without retaking the exam. You will need to submit a reinstatement process to the DBPR along with the current reinstatement fee. The fee amount varies and can change, so check the DBPR website or call their licensing section to confirm the exact cost before you submit.
Along with your process, you may need to provide proof that you have completed any continuing education hours required by the state during the period your license was expired. Florida requires massage therapists to complete continuing education as part of the renewal cycle. If you let your license lapse during a renewal period, you will owe those hours before reinstatement is approved.
The DBPR will review your process and notify you of approval or any missing information. Processing typically takes several weeks. Once approved, you will receive your reinstated license and can resume practice when ready.
Reinstatement for licenses expired more than two years
If your license has been expired for more than two years, Florida requires you to pass the Florida Massage Therapy Licensing Exam before reinstatement. This is the same exam that new applicants take. You will need to register for the exam through the testing vendor, pay the exam fee, and pass with a score of at least 75 percent.
Before you can sit for the exam, you must first submit a reinstatement process to the DBPR and receive approval to test. The DBPR will review your process to confirm your original license was valid and that you meet the basic requirements to retake the exam. Once the DBPR approves you to test, you can schedule your exam appointment.
After you pass the exam, submit your passing score to the DBPR as part of your reinstatement process. The state will then issue your reinstated license. You will also owe any continuing education hours that were required during the time your license was expired.
Documents and information you will need
To explore for reinstatement, gather the following before you contact the DBPR:
- Your original license number (found on your expired license card or previous renewal paperwork)
- A government-issued photo ID
- Proof of any continuing education hours completed, if required
- The reinstatement fee (amount varies; confirm with DBPR)
- If your license expired more than two years ago: your passing exam score or proof that you have registered to take the exam
If you cannot locate your original license number, the DBPR can look it up for you using your name and date of birth. Have this information ready when you contact them.
How to submit your reinstatement process
The DBPR accepts reinstatement applications through their online licensing system. You can access the process portal on the DBPR website under the Massage Therapy section. Create an account if you do not already have one, then select the reinstatement option and follow the prompts to upload documents and pay the fee.
If you prefer not to explore online, you can contact the DBPR's licensing section by phone or mail to request a paper process. Phone numbers and mailing addresses are listed on the DBPR website. Paper applications take longer to process than online submissions, so online is usually faster.
Keep a copy of your submitted process and any confirmation numbers or receipts. You will need these if you need to follow up on your process status.
Continuing education requirements during lapse
Florida massage therapists must complete continuing education hours as part of their renewal cycle. If your license lapsed during a renewal period, you are responsible for completing those hours before reinstatement is approved.
The number of hours required depends on when your license expired and which renewal cycle you fell into. Typically, Florida requires 24 hours of continuing education per renewal period. Contact the DBPR to find out exactly how many hours you owe based on your license expiration date.
You can complete continuing education through approved providers in Florida. The DBPR maintains a list of approved courses and providers on their website. Courses can be taken in person or online, depending on the provider. Once you complete the required hours, submit proof of completion (usually a certificate) along with your reinstatement process.
What to do if your process is denied or incomplete
If the DBPR denies your reinstatement process, they will send you a written explanation of the reason. Common reasons include missing documents, unpaid fees, or failure to meet continuing education requirements. You have the right to request a hearing to dispute the denial.
If the DBPR notifies you that your process is incomplete, they will tell you exactly what documents or information are missing. Gather those items and resubmit as quickly as possible. Incomplete applications are not processed until all required information is received.
If you disagree with a denial and want to appeal, contact the DBPR's licensing section to request information about the hearing process. You may want to speak with someone familiar with Florida licensing law before you file an appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does reinstatement usually take?
Online applications typically take four to eight weeks to process, depending on how busy the DBPR is and whether your process is complete. Paper applications take longer. If your process is missing information, processing stops until you submit the missing documents.
Can I practice massage while my reinstatement process is pending?
No. You cannot legally practice massage therapy in Florida with an expired license, even if your reinstatement process is under review. You must wait until the DBPR approves your reinstatement and issues your new license before you resume practice.
Do I have to retake the exam if my license expired just over two years ago?
Yes. The two-year rule is firm — if your license has been expired for more than two years, you must pass the exam again. The DBPR does not make exceptions based on how close you are to the two-year mark.
What if I cannot find my original license number?
Call the DBPR's licensing section and provide your full name and date of birth. They can look up your license number in their system and provide it to you. This usually takes a few minutes over the phone.
Can I reinstate my license if I have unpaid fines or disciplinary issues on my record?
Disciplinary issues or unpaid fines may prevent reinstatement. Contact the DBPR before you explore to find out whether any issues on your record will affect your reinstatement. If there are barriers, ask what steps you need to take to resolve them.