Continuing Education

Requirements | Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements

Licensed Massage Therapists are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license. Review WAC 246-830-475 to ensure you remain compliant with CE requirements and regulations.

Licensees must complete a minimum of two hours of health equity training every four years, these hours may count towards the 24-hour total per CE cycle. Details surrounding health equity CE can be found in part 15 of WAC 246-12.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Do I need approval to offer continuing education?

The Board of Massage doesn't approve specific continuing education (CE) courses, curriculum, or providers. Licensed massage therapists are required to take CE courses that meet the requirements of their rules. Licensed massage therapists also need to determine on their own which courses and providers meet the CE requirements.

May I get an extension of time to complete my continuing education?

Extensions may be granted for emergency situations only, per WAC 246-12-210. It's not advisable to wait until the CE is due to request the extension. If you have exhausted all possibilities for fulfilling your continuing education requirements and are contemplating requesting an extension, keep in mind that requests may take three weeks to answer and if your request is denied, you will still have to complete the CE hours before your expiration date.

Health Equity Training

What is the health equity requirement?

Starting in your first full continuing education (CE) reporting cycle after January 1, 2024, you must complete a minimum of two hours of CE training in health equity per reporting period. For more information, please review part 15 of chapter 246-12 WAC.

When did the health equity requirement go into effect?

January 1, 2024.

When must I complete the training by?

After January 1, 2024, you will have one full reporting period to do the health equity CE training. See the chart below for CE requirements timing examples.

CE Reporting Period	First, full CE reporting period following January 1, 2024	Final deadline for health equity CE training
November 18, 2021 - November 18, 2023	November 18, 2025 - November 18, 2027	November 18, 2027
July 10, 2022 – July 10, 2024	July 10, 2024 – July 10, 2026	November 10, 2026
January 27, 2024 – January 27, 2026	January 27, 2024 - January 27, 2026	January 27, 2026

Does the requirement change the total number of CE hours? 

No. The requirement does not change the total number of CE hours. The health equity CE training requirement will be included in the existing 24 hours required per WAC 246-830-475.

Where can I find health equity training?

DOH has identified a list of free training courses that meet the minimum requirement. The list will be updated on a regular basis. The list is on the Department of Health's Health Equity Continuing Education webpage. In addition to listing and maintaining free courses, there is a categorized list of training courses that cost money.

Does the training have to be in person?

No. The list provided in the question above includes free online training courses.

Can I take a course that is not listed on the Department of Health’s Health Equity Continuing Education website?

Yes. However, it must meet the educational requirements in WAC 246-12-830. More information is on the health equity CE webpage.