Virginia Massage License
Updated for 2024
Massage therapy is regulated in Virginia by the Board of Nursing which is within the Department of Health Professions.
To become a licensed massage therapist (LMT) in the state of Virginia, applicants must first complete the requirements as described on the Virginia Board of Nursing website. License requirements include completing an approved 500-hour massage education program and passing the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). We’ve provided a summary of these requirements below for a quick reference.
Industry research from ABMP in 2016 estimated that there was about 6,270 massage therapists in Virginia.
Virginia Quick Look
Massage License Required? Yes
Designation: LMT
Education hours: 500
Exam: MBLEx
CEUs / Renewals: 24 CEUs/2yrs
Massage Education Requirements in Virginia
Applicants for a Virginia massage license are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours of training from a massage therapy program that is approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, or similar agency in another state. An official sealed transcript must be mailed from the massage school directly to the Virginia Board as part of the license application process.
Examination Requirements
The Virginia Board of Nursing has approved the following massage exam:
- Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)
For candidates preparing for the MBLEx exam, undertaking an MBLEx practice test can be a crucial step in your journey to becoming a licensed massage therapist. This practice test offers a realistic preview of the exam, helping you to identify areas of strength and those needing further study, thus enhancing your overall preparedness.
If you have not yet taken the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam and are planning to seek licensure in Virginia, simply select this state when registering for the MBLEx, and they will send your scores to the Virginia Board of Nursing when you pass. Check out our About the MBLEx page to see how to apply and schedule your exam.
Additional License Requirements
Getting a Virginia massage therapy license has additional requirements. The applicant must also:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Complete a criminal history background check with fingerprinting
Application Process
The Virginia massage license application is now accepted exclusively online. A massage therapist who has a current massage license in good standing in another state can apply for licensure by endorsement in Virginia.
A provisional massage license is available for eligible candidates who have filed a completed Virginia massage license application and are waiting to take the examination. This provisional license may be issued for one 90-day period and cannot be renewed. Those candidates with a provisional license may engage in the provisional practice of massage therapy, but may not yet refer to themselves as a “massage therapist” or “licensed massage therapist”.
More information can be found regarding licensing at the Board’s frequently asked questions page.
Massage License Fees
Below is a summary of the fees charged by the Virginia Board of Nursing:
- Application and initial license: $140
- Biennial renewal: $95
- Late renewal: 30
- Reinstatement of licensure: $150
Renewal Process
Virginia massage therapy licenses expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month, every other year. A license for a massage therapist born on an even-numbered year will expire on even-numbered years. And therapists born on odd-numbered years will have a license that expires on odd-numbered years. Massage therapists are exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first biennial renewal following their initial Virginia licensure. The following must be done to complete your renewal application:
- Complete the online renewal
- Complete 24 CEU credit hours OR hold a current certification by the NCBTMB. Therapists who choose to complete the continuing education hours, 12 of these hours must come from programs offered by NCBTMB, FSMTB, AMTA, ABMP, COMTA, or other recognized and approved CEU provider. See the PDF Regulations Governing the Licensure os Massage Therapists on their website for more details.
- Send renewal fee of $95
Virginia Board of Nursing
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Virginia Board of Nursing
Attn: Massage Therapy
Perimeter Circle
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
Note: The information on this website is for informational purposes. Please inquire directly with your state and local boards to verify requirements and regulations, as this may have changed. Contact information is listed above.
