Licensing & Regulations

If you are applying for a new massage therapy license in Washington, D.C., you’ll need the following documentation:

• National exam results
  • National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) by National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
  • MBLEx by Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB)
  • National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
• Official Transcript
• Completion of 500 Hours of In-Class Training
• Criminal Background Check
• Proof of face-to-face Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid Certification
• $262 for Application and License Fee
  • $85 for Application Fee
  • $177 License Fee

If you are renewing your massage therapy license in Washington, D.C., you’ll need the following documentation every 2 years on the odd numbered year:

• 14 Hours of Approved Continuing Education, which shall include the following:
  • 3 Hours of Professional Ethics
  • 9 Hours of Massage-Related Course Work, which shall consists of the following:
    • 6 Hours Hands-on, massage technique course(s) completed in a live classroom setting
    • 2 Hours of LGBTQ Continuing Education
• Copies of CPR and First Aid Certifications (completed in a live classroom setting taught by an appropriate instructor)
• $177 for License Fee