1
HAWAII MASSAGE EXAM 2026/2027 | State Licensure
Study Guide | Correct Solutions | Updated Certification
Prep | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Hawaii Massage Therapy Practice Act - HRS Chapter
452 (Q1-20)
Q1. Under HRS Chapter 452, the practice of massage therapy in Hawaii is defined as:
A. The manipulation of soft tissue for cosmetic enhancement and relaxation only
B. The application of manual pressure to bony structures for skeletal realignment
C. The manipulation of soft tissue by manual or mechanical means for therapeutic
purposes, including relaxation and stress reduction
D. The prescription of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation protocols by non-
physicians
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HRS Chapter 452 defines massage therapy as soft tissue manipulation for
therapeutic purposes, which includes relaxation and stress reduction. Option B
describes chiropractic or physical therapy scope, while D exceeds massage therapy
scope of practice. Option A incorrectly limits the definition to cosmetic purposes
only.
Q2. What is the minimum number of in-class instruction hours required to qualify for
the Hawaii massage therapy licensure examination?
A. 500 hours
B. 570 hours
C. 650 hours
D. 720 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hawaii requires completion of a minimum 570-hour approved program,
including 50 hours of anatomy/physiology/kinesiology, 100 hours of
,2
theory/demonstration, and 420 hours of practical training. Options A, C, and D do
not reflect the statutory minimum under HRS §452-12 and HAR §16-84-48.
Q3. A licensed physical therapist in Hawaii performs soft tissue mobilization as part
of a patient's rehabilitation protocol. According to HRS Chapter 452, which statement
is correct?
A. The physical therapist must obtain a massage therapy license to perform this work
B. The physical therapist is exempt from massage therapy licensure when acting
within their professional scope
C. The physical therapist may only perform this work under the direct supervision of
an LMT
D. The physical therapist must register as a massage apprentice before performing
soft tissue work
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HRS Chapter 452 specifically exempts physicians, chiropractors, physical
therapists, osteopaths, and athletic trainers performing soft tissue work within their
licensed scope. Options A, C, and D incorrectly impose massage licensure
requirements on exempt professionals.
Q4. A massage therapy student is performing hands-on clinical work at their
approved school under the direct supervision of an instructor. According to Hawaii
law, the student is:
A. Required to obtain a temporary permit from the Board of Massage
B. Exempt from licensure while in the approved educational program and clinical
setting
C. Allowed to practice only if they have completed at least 300 hours of training
D. Required to work under the direct supervision of a licensed principal massage
therapist at an establishment
,3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Students enrolled in an approved massage therapy program are exempt
from licensure when performing clinical work as part of their curriculum under direct
supervision. Option A is incorrect because no temporary permit is required for
students; C and D impose requirements not found in the student exemption
provisions.
Q5. Which examination must an applicant pass to obtain a Hawaii massage therapy
license?
A. The MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) only
B. The NCBTMB Board Certification Examination only
C. The Hawaii State Massage Licensing Examination
D. Either the MBLEx or the Hawaii State Examination at the applicant's choice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hawaii requires applicants to pass the Hawaii State Massage Licensing
Examination. Hawaii does not accept the MBLEx or NCBTMB examinations in lieu of
the state exam. Options A, B, and D incorrectly suggest acceptance of national
examinations.
Q6. An applicant who completed a 600-hour massage program in California at an
AMTA-approved school wishes to apply for a Hawaii license. According to HRS
Chapter 452 and HAR §16-84-48, the applicant:
A. Is automatically eligible because their program exceeded 570 hours
B. Must complete an additional 100 hours of Hawaii-specific training
C. May be eligible if their school was approved by a recognized accrediting body or
the AMTA, and the curriculum meets Hawaii's requirements
D. Must start over and complete a full 570-hour Hawaii program
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Out-of-state applicants may be eligible if their school was approved by an
, 4
educational agency, accredited institution, AMTA, or Rolf Institute, and the
curriculum meets Hawaii's 570-hour requirement with the required subject
distribution. Options A is incorrect because hour count alone does not guarantee
eligibility; B and D are not statutory requirements.
Q7. A massage establishment in Hawaii must designate which individual to be
responsible for maintaining personnel files and ensuring compliance with board
regulations?
A. The owner of the establishment
B. The principal massage therapist
C. The sponsoring massage therapist
D. The senior apprentice with at least 300 hours of training
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HAR §16-84-11 requires every establishment to designate a principal
massage therapist who maintains personnel files, notifies the board of address and
personnel changes within 48 hours, and is responsible for the conduct of all
employees. The owner (A) may not be a licensed massage therapist; C and D do not
have this statutory responsibility.
Q8. An unlicensed individual advertises massage services and accepts clients in their
home. According to HRS Chapter 452, this individual is:
A. Operating legally if they only accept cash payments
B. Operating legally if they do not advertise online
C. Subject to penalties for practicing massage therapy without a license
D. Exempt if they have completed at least 200 hours of massage training
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HRS Chapter 452 requires all massage therapists to hold a valid Hawaii
license. Practicing without a license is a violation subject to penalties. Options A, B,
HAWAII MASSAGE EXAM 2026/2027 | State Licensure
Study Guide | Correct Solutions | Updated Certification
Prep | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Hawaii Massage Therapy Practice Act - HRS Chapter
452 (Q1-20)
Q1. Under HRS Chapter 452, the practice of massage therapy in Hawaii is defined as:
A. The manipulation of soft tissue for cosmetic enhancement and relaxation only
B. The application of manual pressure to bony structures for skeletal realignment
C. The manipulation of soft tissue by manual or mechanical means for therapeutic
purposes, including relaxation and stress reduction
D. The prescription of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation protocols by non-
physicians
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HRS Chapter 452 defines massage therapy as soft tissue manipulation for
therapeutic purposes, which includes relaxation and stress reduction. Option B
describes chiropractic or physical therapy scope, while D exceeds massage therapy
scope of practice. Option A incorrectly limits the definition to cosmetic purposes
only.
Q2. What is the minimum number of in-class instruction hours required to qualify for
the Hawaii massage therapy licensure examination?
A. 500 hours
B. 570 hours
C. 650 hours
D. 720 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hawaii requires completion of a minimum 570-hour approved program,
including 50 hours of anatomy/physiology/kinesiology, 100 hours of
,2
theory/demonstration, and 420 hours of practical training. Options A, C, and D do
not reflect the statutory minimum under HRS §452-12 and HAR §16-84-48.
Q3. A licensed physical therapist in Hawaii performs soft tissue mobilization as part
of a patient's rehabilitation protocol. According to HRS Chapter 452, which statement
is correct?
A. The physical therapist must obtain a massage therapy license to perform this work
B. The physical therapist is exempt from massage therapy licensure when acting
within their professional scope
C. The physical therapist may only perform this work under the direct supervision of
an LMT
D. The physical therapist must register as a massage apprentice before performing
soft tissue work
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HRS Chapter 452 specifically exempts physicians, chiropractors, physical
therapists, osteopaths, and athletic trainers performing soft tissue work within their
licensed scope. Options A, C, and D incorrectly impose massage licensure
requirements on exempt professionals.
Q4. A massage therapy student is performing hands-on clinical work at their
approved school under the direct supervision of an instructor. According to Hawaii
law, the student is:
A. Required to obtain a temporary permit from the Board of Massage
B. Exempt from licensure while in the approved educational program and clinical
setting
C. Allowed to practice only if they have completed at least 300 hours of training
D. Required to work under the direct supervision of a licensed principal massage
therapist at an establishment
,3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Students enrolled in an approved massage therapy program are exempt
from licensure when performing clinical work as part of their curriculum under direct
supervision. Option A is incorrect because no temporary permit is required for
students; C and D impose requirements not found in the student exemption
provisions.
Q5. Which examination must an applicant pass to obtain a Hawaii massage therapy
license?
A. The MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) only
B. The NCBTMB Board Certification Examination only
C. The Hawaii State Massage Licensing Examination
D. Either the MBLEx or the Hawaii State Examination at the applicant's choice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hawaii requires applicants to pass the Hawaii State Massage Licensing
Examination. Hawaii does not accept the MBLEx or NCBTMB examinations in lieu of
the state exam. Options A, B, and D incorrectly suggest acceptance of national
examinations.
Q6. An applicant who completed a 600-hour massage program in California at an
AMTA-approved school wishes to apply for a Hawaii license. According to HRS
Chapter 452 and HAR §16-84-48, the applicant:
A. Is automatically eligible because their program exceeded 570 hours
B. Must complete an additional 100 hours of Hawaii-specific training
C. May be eligible if their school was approved by a recognized accrediting body or
the AMTA, and the curriculum meets Hawaii's requirements
D. Must start over and complete a full 570-hour Hawaii program
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Out-of-state applicants may be eligible if their school was approved by an
, 4
educational agency, accredited institution, AMTA, or Rolf Institute, and the
curriculum meets Hawaii's 570-hour requirement with the required subject
distribution. Options A is incorrect because hour count alone does not guarantee
eligibility; B and D are not statutory requirements.
Q7. A massage establishment in Hawaii must designate which individual to be
responsible for maintaining personnel files and ensuring compliance with board
regulations?
A. The owner of the establishment
B. The principal massage therapist
C. The sponsoring massage therapist
D. The senior apprentice with at least 300 hours of training
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HAR §16-84-11 requires every establishment to designate a principal
massage therapist who maintains personnel files, notifies the board of address and
personnel changes within 48 hours, and is responsible for the conduct of all
employees. The owner (A) may not be a licensed massage therapist; C and D do not
have this statutory responsibility.
Q8. An unlicensed individual advertises massage services and accepts clients in their
home. According to HRS Chapter 452, this individual is:
A. Operating legally if they only accept cash payments
B. Operating legally if they do not advertise online
C. Subject to penalties for practicing massage therapy without a license
D. Exempt if they have completed at least 200 hours of massage training
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HRS Chapter 452 requires all massage therapists to hold a valid Hawaii
license. Practicing without a license is a violation subject to penalties. Options A, B,
