Massage Therapist - Frequently Asked Questions

Applications and License Requirements | Continuing Education | Fees | Massage Training Programs | Renewals

Applications and License Requirements

May I apply for my massage license online?

Yes. Applicants for a massage therapy license may apply online. Learn more on the massage therapist licensing information webpage.

What are the education and training requirements?

A massage program must consist of a minimum of 625 hours, must be completed in no less than six months, and must consist of the subjects listed in WAC 246-830-430.

What needs to be submitted for licensure?

An applicant for a massage therapist license must be 18 years of age or older and must submit the following documentation to the department:

  • A completed application form, either hard copy or online
  • Proof of successful completion of the required education and training sent directly from the applicant's massage school
  • Proof of successful completion of a board-approved examination under WAC 246-830-201
  • Proof of successful completion of the Washington state massage jurisprudence examination
  • Proof of certification in American Red Cross first aid and American Heart Association CPR or the equivalent. CPR training must be in person for initial licensure. The CPR certification requirement for renewal does not need to be in person.
  • The required nonrefundable application fee in WAC 246-830-990
  • If required by the department, fingerprint cards for a national or state fingerprint-based background check pursuant to RCW 18.130.064(2)

Credentialing staff will notify you of any missing information.

How long does the application process take?

Processing time varies for each application. It depends on how complete the application is, and how quickly the outstanding requirements are met.

The required documentation may take several weeks to receive. Criminal history checks are conducted for all massage license applicants. Applications requiring additional background information may take longer than routine applications.

While we appreciate your interest in getting your license, in order to allow our office to continue the processing of applications in a timely manner, we request that you not call regarding the status of your application for six weeks from the date it was submitted. You may view the status of your application on the Application Status webpage.

If I'm licensed in another state or did not complete my education in Washington state, am I eligible for a Washington massage license without completing a board-approved program?

If you have an active and unrestricted license in another state, you may be eligible for a Washington state massage license via education endorsement. The requirements are outlined in WAC 246-830-035(1)(a)(ii).

If you do not yet have two years’ experience, your best option at this time would be to go through a Board approved transfer program. A list of board-approved transfer programs is available on the massage therapy webpage. The requirements are outlined in WAC 246-830-037. The program would evaluate the education you have already obtained so you wouldn’t have to complete an entire program. We, in the department, do not have authority to review individual transcripts.

Does my out-of-country training and experience qualify?

The first step is to have your training and experience translated as per WAC 246-830-290. Your next step is to work with a Washington State approved massage therapy transfer school to have those documents evaluated to the Washington State education requirements as per WAC 246-830-430. The transfer school would evaluate your transcript against Washington State requirements. That school would then make recommendations of any additional training you might need. We, at the department, do not have authority to review individual transcripts. 

Once the transfer school determines you are eligible to sit for the exam, you will need to pass either the MBLEx or NCBTMB Exam as per WAC 246-830-201. You will also need to pass the jurisprudence exam and the American Red Cross first aid and American Heart Association CPR or the equivalent. CPR training must be in person WAC 246-830-02.

Is my school board-approved?

The Board of Massage provides a list of approved schools here.

How can I get transcripts if my massage school has closed?

For transcripts from closed schools, please reach out to:

Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
128 10th Ave. S.W.
Olympia, WA 98502

How can I get transcripts if my out of state massage school has closed?

If your massage school has closed, we will accept transcripts from the out-of-state entity that houses the transcripts from closed schools.  If your school was in a different state, reach out to the National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools for assistance.

How do I change my active license to inactive?

You will need to make a written request via email to the DOH HSQA Customer Service Center. There is a fee associated with this, and customer service can help you navigate the technicalities of it. Once the new status is achieved, you’ll be able to print it via our credentialling system, HELMS.

Related RCWs/WACs

RCW 18.108.125: Inactive credential—Reinstatement
WAC 246-830-580:  Inactive credential 
WAC 246-830-990: Massage fees and renewals

Continuing Education

Where can I find continuing education information?

Visit the massage therapist continuing education webpage to learn more about requirements and regulations. 

Fees

What fees are associated with the profession, and how much are they?

All fees are outlined in WAC 246-830-990 and on the massage therapist webpage.

Can my late fee be waived?

The only time a late penalty fee will be waived is if the credential expires on a day the department is closed for business, and the payment is received at the Department of Health's Health Systems Quality Assurance main office on the next business day.

Massage Training Programs

What is the process to get school approval?

A school requesting board approval must submit a board-approved application packet, including all necessary documentation. A checklist of the standards for board approval is in the Massage School Program Approval, Re-approval, or Apprentice application packet.

Applications can be submitted either by mail OR electronically

Email your application as a compressed, single document saved as a PDF. Please include your school, program name and if a renewal application, the credential number in the body of the email and send it to massage therapy staff members.

Or

Mail your completed application in a binder to: 

Board of Massage Training Program
P.O. Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877 

Please include the name of your school, program and credential number on the binder cover. Each page must be printed single sided.

Contact us with any questions via email (massage.therapy@doh.wa.gov) or call 360-236-4945.

If the school is requesting approval of multiple programs, each program must be submitted on separate applications and in separate binders or separate emailed PDF documents.

Board members require no less than five weeks to review each school's documentation. The application and binders will be provided to two Board of Massage members for review. Once the board members have completed their review of the application, they'll present their review for full board consideration at a regularly scheduled board meeting.

Does the program need to go through a re-approval?

Yes. The first re-approval for massage therapy program will be three years after initial approval. This is to ensure the massage school or program remains in compliance with the training and education requirements set by the board. Subsequent program approval occurs every five years thereafter.

The board must be notified of any changes to an approved program including change of address, program hours and instructors. These changes must be submitted as an addendum in email.

What do I need to do to open an Apprenticeship Program?

Thank you for your interest in creating an apprenticeship program for massage therapist students. The Board of Massage has temporarily suspended considering Apprenticeship program applications. 

The board’s overarching goal is to assure that future graduates of apprenticeship programs receive a high-quality education and training to become successful massage therapists. To do this, the board must consider its role in ensuring the apprenticeship program application process meets all relevant requirements similarly to traditional massage schools without undermining the purpose and benefits of apprenticeship. The board has scheduled time during its annual retreat, July 16, 2026, to have a thoughtful conversation on what a successful apprenticeship program looks like and what the curriculum contains. The retreat is a public meeting, and the public is welcome to attend and listen to the discussion.

Renewals

How long does the renewal process take?

Courtesy renewal notices are emailed to the address on file at least six to eight weeks in advance of the expiration date. However, you can renew your license as early as 90 days before the expiration date, either online, by mail, or by phone. To avoid a late fee and the risk of practicing with an expired license, you must renew on time.

What if I didn't receive my courtesy renewal notice?

The renewal notice is a courtesy reminder. Failure to receive a courtesy renewal notice does not relieve or exempt the credential renewal requirement. You must renew your license on or before the date of expiration with or without a renewal notice. The expiration for all massage therapy credentials is the therapist's birthday. Be sure to contact the Customer Service Center at 360-236-4700 to make an address change or to verify that your correct address is on record.

May I renew my license online?

If you have an active massage license, you may renew online up to 90 days prior to the expiration date. Once a massage therapy license goes into expired status, a late fee will be added. The credential status will automatically go into an expired status if you do not renew on or before the expiration date. See Renewals Online for additional information.