How to reinstate your Florida massage license after it lapses
If your Florida massage license has expired, you can reinstate it through the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance. The process depends on how long your license has been inactive. If it lapsed within the last year, reinstatement is usually straightforward — you pay a fee and submit a form. If it has been inactive for more than two years, you will need to complete continuing education hours and may need to pass the Florida Massage Therapy Licensing Examination again.
The key is understanding which reinstatement path applies to you, because the requirements and costs differ significantly. You will need your license number, proof of your identity, and documentation of any continuing education you have already completed.
Key Takeaways
- Licenses inactive for less than two years can usually be reinstated by paying the reinstatement fee and submitting Form DH 680 to the Department of Health.
- Licenses inactive for two years or longer require you to complete 24 hours of continuing education and may require you to retake the licensing exam.
- The reinstatement fee is separate from the renewal fee, and both must be paid if your license is being reinstated and then renewed in the same cycle.
- You can check your license status and submission requirements through the Florida Department of Health's online license verification system.
- Processing time for reinstatement typically takes four to six weeks after the Department receives your complete process.
Reinstatement within two years of expiration
If your massage license expired less than two years ago, reinstatement is the simpler route. You will need to complete Form DH 680 (process for Reinstatement of an Expired License), available on the Florida Department of Health website. The form asks for your license number, your current contact information, and confirmation that you have not practiced massage therapy without a valid license during the inactive period.
Mail or submit the form along with the reinstatement fee — the amount varies depending on the license type and the fiscal year, so check the Department of Health's fee schedule before sending payment. Include a copy of your government-issued photo identification. Some applicants choose to submit by mail to the Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, in Tallahassee, while others use the online licensing portal if they have an existing account.
You do not need to retake the exam or complete continuing education for reinstatement within this window, though you will still need to renew your license on the standard renewal schedule once it is reinstated.
Reinstatement after two or more years of inactivity
If your license has been inactive for two years or longer, the reinstatement process includes additional requirements. You must complete 24 hours of continuing education from a provider approved by the Florida Department of Health. These hours must cover specific topics — typically including 2 hours on laws and rules governing massage therapy in Florida, and the remaining 22 hours in clinical massage therapy or related subjects.
You will also need to retake the Florida Massage Therapy Licensing Examination. This is the same exam required for initial licensure, administered by the National Board of Certification for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) or through the state's approved testing vendor. You must pass the exam before your reinstatement can be approved. Check the Department of Health website for the current exam schedule and registration details.
Submit Form DH 680 along with proof of your continuing education completion (certificates from your course provider), proof of your passing exam score, your government-issued photo identification, and the reinstatement fee. Processing typically takes longer when the exam requirement is involved — expect four to eight weeks.
Finding approved continuing education providers
The Florida Department of Health maintains a list of approved continuing education providers on its website. You can search by provider name or by course topic. Courses can be taken in person or online, depending on the provider. Make sure the provider you choose is specifically approved for Florida massage therapy continuing education — courses approved in other states may not count.
Keep your course completion certificate. You will need to submit it with your reinstatement process as proof that you completed the required hours. If you took courses before your license expired and they are still within the continuing education window, some of those hours may count toward reinstatement, but you will need to verify this with the Department of Health before submitting your process.
Submitting your reinstatement process
Gather all required documents before you submit. You will need Form DH 680 (completed and signed), your government-issued photo identification, proof of any continuing education (if required), proof of your passing exam score (if required), and payment for the reinstatement fee. Some applicants also include a cover letter with their license number and a brief explanation of the lapse, though this is not required.
You can submit your process by mail to the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3250. If you have an online account through the Department of Health's licensing portal, you may be able to submit electronically — log in and check whether reinstatement is an option in your account. Mail submissions typically take longer to process than online submissions, so online is preferable if available to you.
Keep a copy of everything you submit, and note the date you mailed or submitted your process. You can check the status of your process through the Department of Health's online license verification system using your license number.
What happens after you submit your process
The Department of Health will review your process for completeness. If anything is missing — an unsigned form, a missing fee, or incomplete continuing education documentation — they will send you a notice requesting the missing information. You will have a set time to respond, usually 30 days. If you do not respond, your process may be denied and you will need to start over.
Once your process is complete and approved, the Department of Health will issue your reinstated license. You will receive notification by mail or email, depending on your contact preferences. Your license will be valid for the remainder of the current renewal cycle, after which you will need to renew on the standard schedule.
If your process is denied, the Department will explain the reason in writing. Common reasons include incomplete continuing education documentation, a failing exam score, or evidence that you practiced massage therapy without a valid license during the inactive period. If your process is denied, you can request a hearing or reapply once you have addressed the issue.
Checking your license status online
You do not have to wait for mail notification. The Florida Department of Health's online license verification system allows you to search for your license by name or license number. This system is updated regularly and will show whether your license is active, inactive, or expired. Once your reinstatement is approved, your status will change to active in this system.
If you cannot find your license in the system, it may mean your process has not yet been processed, or there may be a spelling or data entry issue. Contact the Division of Medical Quality Assurance directly if you have questions about your status. Their phone line can be slow during peak times, so email is often faster — check the Department of Health website for the current contact email for massage therapy licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I practice massage therapy while my reinstatement process is being processed?
No. You cannot legally practice massage therapy in Florida without an active license. Practicing with an expired or inactive license is a violation of Florida law and can result in fines and legal action. Wait until your reinstatement is approved and your license status shows as active before you accept clients.
Do I need to retake the exam if my license expired less than two years ago?
No. The exam is required only if your license has been inactive for two years or longer. If your license expired within the last two years, you can reinstate by submitting the form and fee without retaking the exam.
What if I completed continuing education before my license expired — does that count toward reinstatement?
It depends on when you completed the hours and the rules in effect at the time. Some continuing education hours completed before expiration may count if they fall within the required window, but you need to verify this with the Department of Health before submitting your process. Include documentation of those hours with your reinstatement form so the Department can review them.
How much does reinstatement cost?
The reinstatement fee varies and is set by the Florida Department of Health. Check the current fee schedule on the Department's website before submitting your process. The fee is separate from the renewal fee, so if you are reinstating and then renewing in the same cycle, you will pay both fees.
What if I cannot find my license number?
You can search for your license number using the Florida Department of Health's online verification system by entering your name. If you still cannot locate it, contact the Division of Medical Quality Assurance directly — they can look up your license number using your name and date of birth.