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TEXAS MASSAGE LICENSING EXAM
250+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES
2026–2027 EDITION | UPDATED PER
LATEST TDLR GUIDELINES | GRADED A+
# SECTION I: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & JURISPRUDENCE
## TDLR Authority and Regulatory Framework
**Question 1**
Which agency is the official regulatory body for massage therapy licensing in Texas?
A) Texas Medical Board
B) Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
C) Texas Massage Therapy Association (TMTA)
D) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The Texas Legislature designated the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation (TDLR) as the sole regulatory entity for enforcing the Massage Therapy Act and
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overseeing massage therapy licensing in the state. TDLR is responsible for administering
licensing exams, enforcing regulations, and ensuring compliance with Texas Occupations Code
Chapter 455 and 16 TAC Chapter 117. The Texas Medical Board regulates physicians, not
massage therapists, and the TMTA is a professional association, not a regulatory body.
---
**Question 2**
The Texas Massage Therapy Advisory Board consists of how many members appointed by the
presiding officer of the commission?
A) Five
B) Seven
C) Nine
D) Eleven
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The advisory board consists of nine members appointed by the presiding officer
of the commission with the approval of the commission. This board includes licensed massage
therapists and other members who advise TDLR on matters related to the massage therapy
profession in Texas.
---
**Question 3**
What is the primary purpose of the Texas Massage Therapy Act?
A) To establish professional standards for massage therapists nationwide
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B) To protect the public from unsafe or unqualified massage therapy practitioners
C) To promote the massage therapy profession through marketing initiatives
D) To set minimum pricing standards for massage therapy services
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Massage Therapy Act (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455) is designed
primarily to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing standards for the
practice of massage therapy. It ensures that practitioners meet minimum education and
competency requirements and adhere to professional standards of conduct.
---
**Question 4**
Which of the following is NOT within TDLR's enforcement authority regarding massage
therapy?
A) Issuing cease and desist orders
B) Imposing administrative penalties and fines
C) Revoking or suspending licenses
D) Filing criminal charges directly against violators
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** TDLR has authority to issue cease and desist orders, impose administrative
penalties, revoke or suspend licenses, and pursue enforcement actions against unlicensed
practice. However, TDLR does not directly file criminal charges; criminal prosecution for
unlicensed practice would be handled by local or state prosecutors. TDLR can refer cases for
criminal prosecution but does not have prosecutorial authority itself.
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**Question 5**
Under Texas law, which of the following activities is explicitly excluded from the definition of
"massage therapy"?
A) Effleurage (stroking)
B) Petrissage (kneading)
C) Diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease
D) Tapotement (percussion)
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The practice of massage therapy does NOT include the diagnosis or treatment of
illness or disease, nor does it include services or procedures for which a license to practice
medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, or podiatry is required by law. Massage therapy is
limited to the manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes and does not extend to medical
diagnosis or treatment.
---
**Question 6**
A massage therapist discovers that another individual is practicing massage without a license in
their community. What is the appropriate course of action?
A) Confront the individual directly and demand they stop
B) Report the unlicensed practice to TDLR
C) Ignore the situation as it does not affect the therapist personally
D) Post about the situation on social media to warn the public
**Correct Answer: B**
TEXAS MASSAGE LICENSING EXAM
250+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES
2026–2027 EDITION | UPDATED PER
LATEST TDLR GUIDELINES | GRADED A+
# SECTION I: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS & JURISPRUDENCE
## TDLR Authority and Regulatory Framework
**Question 1**
Which agency is the official regulatory body for massage therapy licensing in Texas?
A) Texas Medical Board
B) Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
C) Texas Massage Therapy Association (TMTA)
D) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The Texas Legislature designated the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation (TDLR) as the sole regulatory entity for enforcing the Massage Therapy Act and
,Page 2 of 156
overseeing massage therapy licensing in the state. TDLR is responsible for administering
licensing exams, enforcing regulations, and ensuring compliance with Texas Occupations Code
Chapter 455 and 16 TAC Chapter 117. The Texas Medical Board regulates physicians, not
massage therapists, and the TMTA is a professional association, not a regulatory body.
---
**Question 2**
The Texas Massage Therapy Advisory Board consists of how many members appointed by the
presiding officer of the commission?
A) Five
B) Seven
C) Nine
D) Eleven
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The advisory board consists of nine members appointed by the presiding officer
of the commission with the approval of the commission. This board includes licensed massage
therapists and other members who advise TDLR on matters related to the massage therapy
profession in Texas.
---
**Question 3**
What is the primary purpose of the Texas Massage Therapy Act?
A) To establish professional standards for massage therapists nationwide
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B) To protect the public from unsafe or unqualified massage therapy practitioners
C) To promote the massage therapy profession through marketing initiatives
D) To set minimum pricing standards for massage therapy services
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Massage Therapy Act (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455) is designed
primarily to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing standards for the
practice of massage therapy. It ensures that practitioners meet minimum education and
competency requirements and adhere to professional standards of conduct.
---
**Question 4**
Which of the following is NOT within TDLR's enforcement authority regarding massage
therapy?
A) Issuing cease and desist orders
B) Imposing administrative penalties and fines
C) Revoking or suspending licenses
D) Filing criminal charges directly against violators
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** TDLR has authority to issue cease and desist orders, impose administrative
penalties, revoke or suspend licenses, and pursue enforcement actions against unlicensed
practice. However, TDLR does not directly file criminal charges; criminal prosecution for
unlicensed practice would be handled by local or state prosecutors. TDLR can refer cases for
criminal prosecution but does not have prosecutorial authority itself.
, Page 4 of 156
**Question 5**
Under Texas law, which of the following activities is explicitly excluded from the definition of
"massage therapy"?
A) Effleurage (stroking)
B) Petrissage (kneading)
C) Diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease
D) Tapotement (percussion)
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The practice of massage therapy does NOT include the diagnosis or treatment of
illness or disease, nor does it include services or procedures for which a license to practice
medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, or podiatry is required by law. Massage therapy is
limited to the manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes and does not extend to medical
diagnosis or treatment.
---
**Question 6**
A massage therapist discovers that another individual is practicing massage without a license in
their community. What is the appropriate course of action?
A) Confront the individual directly and demand they stop
B) Report the unlicensed practice to TDLR
C) Ignore the situation as it does not affect the therapist personally
D) Post about the situation on social media to warn the public
**Correct Answer: B**
