Illinois has updated the law that governs how massage therapists are licensed and regulated. In this article, we break down what's changing—and clarify a couple of current requirements people often ask about—in plain language, so therapists, students, and the public can understand it without wading through legislative text. (This is general information, not legal advice. For official details and effective dates, consult the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.)
What Is HB5387?
House Bill 5387 (HB5387) is a measure passed by the Illinois General Assembly that, among other things, reauthorizes and updates the Illinois Massage Therapy Practice Act—the state law that sets the requirements for becoming and remaining a licensed massage therapist.
Like many Illinois licensing laws, the Act operates under a "sunset" date, meaning it is scheduled to expire unless the legislature renews it. This periodic review is routine. HB5387 extends that date, keeping the Massage Therapy Practice Act in effect through January 1, 2032 (it had been set to expire January 1, 2027), and makes a number of targeted updates along the way. The changes most likely to matter to therapists and students are below.
Applications Can Now Use an SSN or an ITIN
Previously, a license application required a Social Security number (SSN). Under the update, applicants may now provide either an SSN or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a tax-processing number the IRS issues to people who are required to file U.S. taxes but are not eligible for an SSN. In practical terms, this broadens who is able to apply for a massage therapy license in Illinois.
Stronger Identity Verification
To support accountability and client safety, licensed therapists must present their license along with a photo ID—either an employer-issued badge showing their name and photograph, or a valid government-issued photo ID—when a client requests it. Therapists must also show a government photo ID to a Department representative on request, at any location where they practice. Displayed licenses must show the license number.
Updated Patient-Protection and Disciplinary Rules
Client safety remains central to the Act. Certain serious criminal convictions—including sexual offenses—result in revocation of a license and a permanent bar from practicing massage therapy in Illinois.
The update also adds a step that applies while a case is still pending. If a therapist is formally charged with certain serious offenses, the Department directs that the therapist practice only with a chaperone present during client sessions until the criminal case is resolved. The law specifies that affected clients receive written notice, that the therapist is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and that the order is vacated and removed from the therapist's record if there is no conviction.
Two Current Requirements Worth Knowing
These next two items are sometimes confused with the HB5387 changes, but they are existing requirements already in effect. We include them here because they're the questions we hear most often.
Continuing Education: 25 Hours
Licensed massage therapists in Illinois complete 25 hours of approved continuing education per renewal cycle. The most recent addition to that total was a one-hour requirement on domestic violence and sexual assault, which brought the total from 24 to 25 hours beginning with the 2026 renewal.
Abnormal Skin Growth (Melanoma) Education
Because massage therapists often have a close-up view of skin a client cannot easily see themselves, Illinois requires a one-time course on identifying abnormal skin growths, including melanoma. It applies to those applying for original licensure on or after January 1, 2026, and to therapists licensed before then at their first renewal or restoration on or after that date. The purpose is awareness and referral—not diagnosis.
This course can be completed for free through Impact Melanoma's Skinny on Skin certification program, which takes about an hour to complete online. The program provides a certificate of completion at the end, and that certificate should be submitted to the Department with the licensee's application.
What This Means for Students and Therapists
For students, the path into the profession is essentially unchanged: you will still complete an approved massage therapy program, pass the required competency examination, and meet Illinois's licensing requirements. The updates mostly affect specific areas—who can apply, identity verification, and how the profession stays accountable.
For working therapists, the most practical takeaways are the continuing education total, the one-time skin-health course, and the identity-display rules. As always, we recommend confirming current requirements and effective dates directly with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Considering a Career in Massage Therapy?
Understanding the rules of the profession is part of what we do every day. If you're thinking about training as a massage therapist in Illinois, visit our Admissions page or contact our admissions team to learn about upcoming classes.
About New School for Massage Bodywork & Healing
New School for Massage Bodywork & Healing is a state-approved massage therapy school located in Chicago, Illinois. We provide massage therapy education, continuing education, and clinical training designed to prepare students for successful careers in the massage therapy profession. Learn more by visiting our Admissions page or contacting our admissions team.