Washington

Dept of Health: Massage Therapist
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
Phone: 360-236-4700
Fax: 360-236-4818
Email: hpqa.csc@doh.wa.gov

> Website

Title: Licensed Massage Therapists
Requirement: 500 hours and MBLEx or NCETMB. After Sept 1, 2021: 625 hours and MBLEx or NCETMB.
Renewal: 24 hours/2 years
Max 12 hours online
Min 8 hours hands-on
4 hours of ethics or WA law

Regulation Type: 
State License

Proposed Revised Massage Rules in WA

07/19/2018

The following information was emailed to our Washington State members on July 5:

The Washington Department of Health in conjunction with the Board of Massage is considering revisions to the state massage therapy rules. The revisions would increase the required educational hours for massage licensure from 500 to 625, and would also make changes to the continuing education rules and the rules regarding breast massage. Click below to review the proposed rules:

Draft WAC 246-830-430 Training 

Draft WAC 246-830-475 Continuing education 

Washington State Bills Would Assist Out of State License Applicants

01/26/2016

Two bills recently introduced in the Washington State Legislature, HB 2781 and SB 6399, would open a pathway for applicants who attended certain massage schools that are not approved by the Washington Massage Board, including out-of-state schools, to obtain a Washington state massage license.  Specifically, under the bills, the Board would be

Criminal Penalties for Washington Massage and Reflexology Business Owners Who Allow Unlicensed Practice

06/18/2015

Washington HB 1252, discussed in our last Washington legislative update, has been signed into law. Under the version of the bill that was passed, massage and reflexology business owners are now subject to criminal penalties for allowing unlicensed practice in their businesses. The law states that any person who, “with knowledge or criminal negligence,” allows the unlicensed practice of massage or reflexology in his or her massage or reflexology business is guilty of a m

Washington Bill Proposes Criminal Penalties for Business Owners Who Allow Unlicensed Practice

02/26/2015

A new bill introduced in the Washington state legislature, HB 1252, would amend the state’s massage therapy law by imposing new criminal penalties on massage and reflexology business owners who allow unlicensed practice in their businesses.  The bill states that any person who, “with knowledge or criminal negligence,” allows the unlicensed practice of massage or reflexology in his or her massage or reflexology business is guilty of a gross misdemeanor for the first violation, and a class C felony for s

Certification Now Required for Non-Licensed Reflexologists

06/24/2013

As we noted in our April 2012 legislative update, Senate Bill 6103 amended Washington’s massage licensing statute by requiring that reflexologists who do not have a Washington State massage license must obtain a state reflexology certification (also referred to as a credential). The state has developed rules to implement the change, which can be read here.

Reflexology Certification Bill Signed Into Law in Washington

04/06/2012

On March 29, 2012, Governor Gregoire signed Senate Bill 6103, which amends and supplements the existing massage licensing statute by requiring the certification of reflexologists. Because massage practitioners must be licensed in Washington under existing law, and reflexology falls within their scope of practice, the new certification provisions will not have an impact on currently licensed massage practitioners.

Reflexology Regulation Bill Introduced in Washington State

01/23/2012

Introduced on January 11, 2012, Senate Bill 6103 proposes to regulate reflexology by requiring the registration of reflexologists. Since massage therapists are already licensed in Washington, and reflexology fits within a massage therapist’s scope of practice, this legislation will not have an impact on massage therapists. In addition, the bill provides that any individual registered as a reflexologist may not use the term “massage therapist” or any similar term to describe or advertise his or her services.

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