Application FAQs

New Licensees

Verification/Letter of Good Standing

New Licensees

Q1: Why am I unable to access my eLicense account?

A: You must use the email address and password that is on file.  If you cannot remember your login email or password go to https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_communitieslogin, click  'forgot password' or 'forgot login email.'

If your email address has changed, or you continue to experience difficulty logging in, contact the licensure department at: license@med.ohio.gov.

 

Q2: What is the status of my application?

A: An initial review of your application is processed within 7 to 10 business days of receiving your application. The licensure team works diligently to complete these reviews as soon as possible. Once this initial review is performed, a list of any outstanding items will be emailed to you.

To review the status of your application log into eLicense. On your dashboard select ‘Review Status’ from the drop down ‘Options’ button on your application. Any outstanding items will be listed in the ‘Comments’ section at the bottom of the page. 

 

Q3: What is the typical processing time of an application?

A: Typical processing time of an application is 60 days but it is not guaranteed. "Processing time” means from the time an application and fee are submitted to the time a license number is issued. Different factors go into the processing time, such as, when the background check results are received and whether there is missing information. If you have any questions regarding the status of your application, please email the licensure department for assistance at: license@med.ohio.gov.

 

Q4: Can I be licensed if I have items of concern in my background?

A: You are required to submit to a FBI and BCI background check as part of the licensure application process. Final licensure eligibility based on your background is determined on a case-by-case basis during the application process; it cannot be determined prior to an application being submitted for licensure. It is your sole decision whether or not to enroll in school, pass the appropriate exam, and apply for the license, if there are items of concern in your background. Click to read the Disqualifying Criminal Convictions statement. 

If you have any doubts as to whether to disclose a criminal incident, it is always better to disclose it in your application. This policy applies to all sections of the application including those related to past employment, professional licenses you hold, examination performance, etc.

 

Q5: How do I verify my license?

A: The eLicense portal is the sole source of verifying the status of an individual license. The current status of your license (whether active, inactive, lapsed, etc.) is available online at: https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_verifylicense. Employers and payor plans may use this to verify the status of your license. It will contain your license number, status, issue date and expiration date. 

 

To request that a verification of your Ohio license be sent to another state’s licensing board log into eLicense at https://elicense.ohio.gov. On your dashboard, click on “Options” button next to the license which you wish to have verified, then click on “Send Verification.” Follow the instructions to request that a verification of your Ohio license be sent to the other state board. Per state law, Ohio charges a processing fee to complete out of state verifications for specific license types.

 

Q6: I am licensed in another state as a massage therapist. How do I become licensed in Ohio too?

A: You must pass the MBLEx administered through the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) as the board does not accept any exam previously administered through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB), and fulfill one of the following requirements:

  • At the time a licensure application is received, you must have had a current and active massage therapy license, certificate, or registration, in good standing, in another state for at least the last five consecutive years immediately prior to the date of application

​or

  • You must have graduated from a massage therapy program that meets the minimum program requirements as outlined by Rule 4731-1-16 of the Ohio Administrative Code: codes.ohio.gov/oac/4731-1-16. If the massage therapy program from which you graduated does not meet the minimum requirements, you would be required to graduate from amassage therapy program that does meet curriculum requirements. You cannot combine hours and/or the length of time spent in a program from two or more massage therapy programs to obtain the minimum curriculum requirements. A list of approved programs in Ohio can be found here. It is up to the program to determine which credits, if any, will transfer from your original massage therapy program.

Please be aware CEUs and/or work experience do not count toward the minimum requirements.

 

Q7: What can and can’t I do if I am not licensed by the State Medical Board of Ohio?

A: Scope of practice questions can be answered by referring to the “Laws & Rules” tab of this website or by contacting your attorney.

 

Q8: I took the state board massage therapy exam but failed. How do I become licensed in Ohio?

A: On January 24, 2012, the State Medical Board of Ohio stopped administering the licensing exam. Interested applicants must have passed the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) administered through FSMTB (www.fsmtb.org) as the board does not accept any exam previously administered through the NCBTMB and you must meet all the requirements for licensure under Ohio law before submitting an application for licensure.

 

Please be aware that even if you passed one part of the state administered exam, you must pass all parts of the MBLEx in order to be eligible for a license. Questions regarding the MBLEx, including study guides, must be answered by the FSMTB. 

 

Once you have passed the MBLEx, the steps for licensure can be found here: Massage Therapy Application Steps. 

 

Q9: How do I submit a change of address?

A: You can change your home address online at https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_communitieslogin. Click on the “options” box located on your license tile. Choose “change address.” This will enable you to submit a Service Request to change your address. 

 

Q10: How do I change my name?

A: You can change your name online at https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_communitieslogin. Click on the “options” box located on your license tile. Choose “change name.” This will enable you to submit a Service Request to have your name changed. You will be required to upload documents supporting your name change.

 

Verification – Letter of Good Standing

Q1: How do I request a verification/letter of good standing?

A: To request that a verification of your Ohio license be sent to another state’s licensing board log into eLicense at https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_communitieslogin. On your dashboard, click on “Options” button next to the license which you wish to have verified, then click “Send Verification.” Follow the instructions to request that a verification of your Ohio license be sent to the other state board. Per state law, Ohio charges a processing fee to complete out of state verifications for specific license types. You will not be required to submit forms when using the online verification process. ALL states/jurisdictions accept the State Medical Board of Ohio's verification/letter of good standing.

 

Q2: How long does it take to process a verification/letter of good standing request?

A: Verification/letter of good standing requests are processed in order of date received. Due to the high volume of requests, processing may take up to five business days.

 

Q3: How do I know that my verification/letter of good standing request has been processed?

A: Verifications of licensure are normally required to be provided directly from one licensing agency to another. We ask that you contact the state(s) where you are applying for licensure to confirm that the state has received it.

 

Q4: Can my verification/letter of good standing be expedited?

A: No. All verification/letter of good standing requests are processed in the order that they are received.

 

Q5: Should I call the board to ensure that my online request was received?

A: It is not necessary to do so. The requestor will receive an email confirmation of the order which is proof of the board receiving the request.

 

Q6: What if I have a verification/letter of good standing form that needs to be completed?

A: Ohio does not complete other states' verification forms. All pertinent public information is contained in our verification letter and is accepted by ALL licensing boards, Canadian provinces, and medical councils.

 

Q7: Does Ohio utilize VeriDoc?

A: No. Ohio uses its own online verification system. Verifications/letters of good standing are sent via email to the other state board.

 

Q8: I trained in Ohio prior to July 1, 1999. What do I do?

A: If the state you are applying to requires documentation of your training in Ohio prior to July 1, 1999, the board will send an explanatory memorandum. Please email your request to the board at: license@med.ohio.gov. No fee is required.