Massage | Ohio | Licensing updates
Ohio Makes Massage Renewal CE Mandatory—but Hours Are Not Set Yet
Ohio's new CE statute takes effect October 6, 2026, but the Medical Board must still set the required hours and approved activities by rule.
- Do not publish or rely on a specific Ohio CE-hour number until the Board adopts it by rule.
- Watch Medical Board rulemaking for hours, approved activities, exceptions, and timing.
- Retain CE documentation once the Board defines acceptable activity.
- Treat forfeiture language seriously when planning renewal.
Published: 2026-08-25 · Reviewed: 2026-08-25
Official context
Ohio Revised Code section 4731.191 takes effect October 6, 2026. Before renewal, a massage therapist will have to show completion of at least the number of CE hours required by State Medical Board rule, using activities approved under that rule. The statute directs the Board to adopt implementing standards and permits Board-approved exceptions.
What this means
The enacted statute does not state a number of hours. Until the Medical Board publishes implementing rules, any specific hour total would be premature. The compliance consequence is serious: failure to meet the statute operates as automatic forfeiture of the right to practice, with fees and CE compliance required for reinstatement.
Official sources
Licensing & Industry Updates is an educational summary of official public communications. It is not legal advice, and filing decisions should be checked against the current board page or rule text.