How to Become a Massage Therapist in Washington

Who can apply

• You must be 18 or older.
• You must complete a board-approved massage school, massage program, transfer program, or apprenticeship (625 hours for programs), or hold an active, unrestricted license from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements.
• You must pass the MBLEx (FSMTB) or an NCBTMB exam, plus the Washington State massage jurisprudence exam.
• You must hold current first aid and American Heart Association CPR (or equivalent) certification. CPR for initial licensure must be taken in person.
• DOH runs criminal history checks on all massage applicants and may require fingerprints.

Step by step

1. Complete a board-approved 625-hour massage program (at least 24 weeks long).
2. Pass the MBLEx or an NCBTMB exam and have the score sent directly to DOH.
3. Take in-person CPR and first aid training.
4. Apply online (or on paper) and pay the $226 application and initial license fee.
5. Have your school send the School Completion Form directly to DOH, and have any state where you hold a credential send a verification form.
6. Pass the Washington State massage jurisprudence exam and send copies of your first aid and CPR cards.
7. Watch your email and reply to DOH requests; check status on DOH's application status page.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: At least 625 hours, completed in no fewer than 24 weeks (WAC 246-830-430): 90 hours of anatomy and physiology; 60 of kinesiology; 70 of pathology; 260 of massage theory, principles and practice; 50 of student clinic (no more than 75 clinic hours in longer programs); 55 of clinical and business practices; and 40 of professional ethics. Students enrolled in a board-approved program before September 1, 2021 may meet the older requirements. The board approves massage schools, programs and transfer programs; it has temporarily stopped considering new apprenticeship program applications.

Exam: You must pass a board-approved exam: the MBLEx from FSMTB or an NCBTMB exam (WAC 246-830-201). The testing body sends your score directly to DOH. If you fail the exam three times, you must show the board proof of additional clinical training or coursework it specifies before you get three more attempts. You must also pass the Washington State massage jurisprudence exam on state laws and rules. The MBLEx has 100 questions in 110 minutes; to retake it you reapply and pay again.

What it costs in Washington

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

DOH asks applicants not to call about status for six weeks after applying; processing time depends on how complete the application is, and background reviews can take longer.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses renew every year and expire on your birthday; you can renew within 90 days before expiration. The renewal fee is $166 (includes $16 HEALWA fee); the late penalty is $75. You need 24 hours of continuing education every two years (WAC 246-830-475): at least 8 hours in person and hands-on with direct supervision; at least 4 hours in ethics, client communication, roles and boundaries, or Washington massage laws (up to 2 by attending board meetings); at least 2 hours of health equity training; and current CPR (counts for up to 4 hours). CPR renewal may be online or hybrid.

Good to know in Washington

Foreign-trained applicants: Have your training translated, then work with a Washington-approved transfer school to evaluate it. DOH does not review individual transcripts.

Endorsements: Washington offers an intraoral massage endorsement ($25) and an animal massage therapist endorsement.

Military: Service members and spouses can use the Portability of Professional Licenses application.

Licensed in another state: You may qualify by endorsement if you hold an active license in good standing and your education was either at least 625 hours over 24 weeks, or at least 500 hours plus two years of experience and 24 hours of CE in the two years before you apply (WAC 246-830-035). If you have a practice gap of three or more years right before applying, you must document 24 hours of hands-on massage CE from the two most recent years. Without two years of experience, a board-approved transfer program can evaluate your prior hours.

Prostitution-related convictions: DOH will not license anyone convicted of prostitution or promoting or permitting prostitution (RCW 9A.88.030, .070, .080 or .090, or equivalent local ordinances) within the eight years before applying, except as provided in RCW 9.97.020 (WAC 246-830-020(3)).

Sources

• WA DOH - Massage Therapist Licensing Requirements
• WA DOH - Apply for a Massage Therapist License (fees, renewal)
• WA DOH - Massage Therapist Continuing Education
• WA DOH - Massage Therapist FAQs
• WAC 246-830-035 - Licensure by endorsement
• WAC 246-830-990 - Massage fees
• FSMTB - MBLEx Candidate Handbook 2026
• WAC 246-830-201 - Examination