HAWAII MASSAGE EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH
CORRECT SOLUTIONS 2026!!
EXAM SECTION 1: LAWS & RULES (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 452)
Reference: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 452, specifically §452-13 regarding
examination and licensing.
1. Massage is defined as:
A) A relaxing technique for stress relief
B) A systematic and scientific manipulation of soft tissue and superficial tissue
C) Any form of physical therapy
D) A non-profit healing practice
Answer: B) A systematic and scientific manipulation of soft tissue and superficial
tissue
Rationale: Under Chapter 452-1, this is the statutory definition of massage in
Hawaii, emphasizing both its systematic and scientific nature.
2. Who is responsible if the principal massage therapist (PMT) is not on the
premises?
A) The owner of the building
B) The licensed massage therapist (LMT) working on the premises
C) The receptionist
D) The apprentice
Answer: B) The licensed massage therapist (LMT) working on the premises
Rationale: The licensed therapist working at the facility is responsible for the
premises and compliance with regulations when the PMT is absent.
,3. What is the minimum and maximum fine the Massage Board can impose for a
violation of rules?
A) $50 / $500
B) $100 / $1,000
C) $200 / $2,000
D) $500 / $5,000
Answer: B) $100 / $1,000
Rationale: The Board may impose a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum of
$1,000 for rule violations.
4. When do massage therapist and massage establishment licenses expire in
Hawaii?
A) December 31 of every year
B) June 30 of every even-numbered year
C) January 1 of every odd-numbered year
D) They do not expire
Answer: B) June 30 of every even-numbered year
Rationale: Licenses expire on June 30 of every even-numbered year, requiring
biennial renewal.
5. How many days does an establishment have to notify the board of a change
of its principal massage therapist?
A) 3 days
B) 5 days
C) 10 days
D) 30 days
Answer: B) 5 days
,Rationale: The establishment must notify the Board of any change in the principal
massage therapist within 5 days.
6. What is the maximum ratio of apprentices to licensed therapists?
A) 5 to 1
B) 8 to 1
C) 10 to 1
D) 15 to 1
Answer: C) 10 to 1
Rationale: The maximum ratio of apprentices to licensed massage therapists is 10
to 1, ensuring adequate supervision.
7. A principal massage therapist (PMT) must be:
A) Certified by the National Certification Board
B) Licensed in the State of Hawaii
C) A graduate of any massage school
D) A member of the American Massage Therapy Association
Answer: B) Licensed in the State of Hawaii
Rationale: The PMT must hold a valid Hawaii massage therapist license to
supervise apprentices and establishments.
8. If the PMT has to leave the premises, they can appoint as a replacement:
A) An apprentice with 500 hours
B) A licensed massage therapist
C) The office manager
D) A student from a local school
Answer: B) A licensed massage therapist
, Rationale: Only a licensed massage therapist can serve as the responsible party in
the PMT's absence.
9. Apprenticeship training requires at least how many hours?
A) 300 hours
B) 450 hours
C) 570 hours
D) 750 hours
Answer: C) 570 hours
Rationale: Applicants must complete academic training and spent at least six
months as an apprentice in a board-approved program with 570 hours.
10. A sponsoring massage therapist:
A) Must be certified in Hawaii
B) Does not have to be licensed
C) Must have 10 years of experience
D) Must teach apprentices
Answer: B) Does not have to be licensed
Rationale: A sponsoring therapist is not required to be licensed to oversee certain
aspects of training.
EXAM SECTION 2: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (50% of Exam)
Part A: Body Organization, Planes, and Cavities
11. The basic unit of structure of all living things is the:
A) Tissue
B) Organ
CORRECT SOLUTIONS 2026!!
EXAM SECTION 1: LAWS & RULES (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 452)
Reference: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 452, specifically §452-13 regarding
examination and licensing.
1. Massage is defined as:
A) A relaxing technique for stress relief
B) A systematic and scientific manipulation of soft tissue and superficial tissue
C) Any form of physical therapy
D) A non-profit healing practice
Answer: B) A systematic and scientific manipulation of soft tissue and superficial
tissue
Rationale: Under Chapter 452-1, this is the statutory definition of massage in
Hawaii, emphasizing both its systematic and scientific nature.
2. Who is responsible if the principal massage therapist (PMT) is not on the
premises?
A) The owner of the building
B) The licensed massage therapist (LMT) working on the premises
C) The receptionist
D) The apprentice
Answer: B) The licensed massage therapist (LMT) working on the premises
Rationale: The licensed therapist working at the facility is responsible for the
premises and compliance with regulations when the PMT is absent.
,3. What is the minimum and maximum fine the Massage Board can impose for a
violation of rules?
A) $50 / $500
B) $100 / $1,000
C) $200 / $2,000
D) $500 / $5,000
Answer: B) $100 / $1,000
Rationale: The Board may impose a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum of
$1,000 for rule violations.
4. When do massage therapist and massage establishment licenses expire in
Hawaii?
A) December 31 of every year
B) June 30 of every even-numbered year
C) January 1 of every odd-numbered year
D) They do not expire
Answer: B) June 30 of every even-numbered year
Rationale: Licenses expire on June 30 of every even-numbered year, requiring
biennial renewal.
5. How many days does an establishment have to notify the board of a change
of its principal massage therapist?
A) 3 days
B) 5 days
C) 10 days
D) 30 days
Answer: B) 5 days
,Rationale: The establishment must notify the Board of any change in the principal
massage therapist within 5 days.
6. What is the maximum ratio of apprentices to licensed therapists?
A) 5 to 1
B) 8 to 1
C) 10 to 1
D) 15 to 1
Answer: C) 10 to 1
Rationale: The maximum ratio of apprentices to licensed massage therapists is 10
to 1, ensuring adequate supervision.
7. A principal massage therapist (PMT) must be:
A) Certified by the National Certification Board
B) Licensed in the State of Hawaii
C) A graduate of any massage school
D) A member of the American Massage Therapy Association
Answer: B) Licensed in the State of Hawaii
Rationale: The PMT must hold a valid Hawaii massage therapist license to
supervise apprentices and establishments.
8. If the PMT has to leave the premises, they can appoint as a replacement:
A) An apprentice with 500 hours
B) A licensed massage therapist
C) The office manager
D) A student from a local school
Answer: B) A licensed massage therapist
, Rationale: Only a licensed massage therapist can serve as the responsible party in
the PMT's absence.
9. Apprenticeship training requires at least how many hours?
A) 300 hours
B) 450 hours
C) 570 hours
D) 750 hours
Answer: C) 570 hours
Rationale: Applicants must complete academic training and spent at least six
months as an apprentice in a board-approved program with 570 hours.
10. A sponsoring massage therapist:
A) Must be certified in Hawaii
B) Does not have to be licensed
C) Must have 10 years of experience
D) Must teach apprentices
Answer: B) Does not have to be licensed
Rationale: A sponsoring therapist is not required to be licensed to oversee certain
aspects of training.
EXAM SECTION 2: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (50% of Exam)
Part A: Body Organization, Planes, and Cavities
11. The basic unit of structure of all living things is the:
A) Tissue
B) Organ
