How to Become a Massage Therapist in West Virginia

Who can apply

• You must complete a massage education program of at least 625 hours of supervised academic instruction at a school approved by the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, or by an education-approving agency in another state, D.C., or a U.S. territory.
• The school must require a high school diploma or equivalent for admission.
• You must pass the MBLEx, the NCBTMB national certification exam (if taken before February 1, 2015), or another board-approved exam.
• The board may refuse or discipline a license for reasons such as fraud, sexual misconduct convictions, or practicing under a revoked license in another state (W. Va. Code 30-37-8).

Step by step

1. Complete a 625-hour massage program at an approved school.
2. Pass the MBLEx (or another board-approved exam) and have your results sent to the board.
3. Submit the board's license application with proof of your education (transcript) and personal information.
4. Pay the $50 application fee and the $300 two-year license fee.
5. Do not practice or use the title LMT until the board issues your license.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: At least 625 hours of supervised academic instruction (W. Va. Code 30-37-7, as amended in 2023, and 194 CSR 1). The program must be at a school approved by the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, or by an education-approving agency in another state, D.C. or a U.S. territory, and the school must require a high school diploma or equivalent. The 625-hour requirement took effect July 1, 2023, under amendments passed in the 2023 legislative session.

Exam: You must pass the MBLEx from FSMTB, the NCBTMB national certification exam if taken before February 1, 2015, or another board-approved exam. The MBLEx has 100 questions in 110 minutes; to retake it you reapply and pay again.

What it costs in West Virginia

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

The board's FAQ says to generally allow four to six weeks from the time you mail your completed application packet.

Keeping your license

Renewal: A license expires two years from the end of the month it was issued. Renewal costs $200 (late fee $50) and requires documentation of 24 continuing education units from the prior two-year period, from providers approved by NCBTMB, FSMTB, AMTA, ABMP or the board. If you do not renew within 30 days after expiration and 30 days after the board's notice, your name is removed from the register and the license lapses; reinstatement requires appearing before the board and paying a reinstatement fee plus the renewal fee. Re-applying after a license has been lapsed sixty days past expiration carries a $300 re-application fee (194 CSR 4, 2.10).

Good to know in West Virginia

Licensed in another state: The board may issue a reciprocal license to applicants otherwise qualified in West Virginia. You must send a copy of your current or most recent license, statements on any investigations or discipline from every state where you have been licensed, proof of continuing education from the last two years, and your NCBTMB certificate if you are nationally certified. Reciprocal applicants pay the application fee and the two-year license fee.

Massage establishments: Since July 1, 2025, a business that offers massage and is not a sole practitioner must hold a board massage establishment license ($100, renewed every two years for $100). Establishments may only use West Virginia-licensed massage therapists and must keep proof of their license and work eligibility.

Practicing without a license: Practicing massage or using titles such as LMT without a license is a misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to a year in jail, or both.

Finished school two or more years ago: If you completed your massage program two or more years before applying, you must also complete and prove all the continuing education you would have needed had you been licensed during that time (194 CSR 1, 3.9).

Sources

• West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board
• W. Va. Code 30-37-7 - Requirements for licensure
• W. Va. Code 30-37-8 - Enforcement
• W. Va. Code 30-37-10 - Prohibitions and penalties
• W. Va. Code 30-37-13 - Massage establishment license
• W. Va. Code R. 194-1-3 - Requirements for Licensure (Cornell LII)
• W. Va. Code R. 194-4-2 - Fees (Cornell LII)
• W. Va. Code R. 194-4-3 - Establishment fees (Cornell LII)
• FSMTB - MBLEx Candidate Handbook 2026
• West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board FAQ