StateLicensed

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Virginia

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
500 hrs
Upfront cost
$405
Exam
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Virginia Board of Nursing (Virginia Department of Health Professions)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Per 18VAC90-50-40, an applicant for initial licensure must be at least 18 years old. A criminal background check is required for all application pathways (initial, endorsement, and reinstatement), as required by Section 54.1-3005.1 of the Code of Virginia. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 500 hours of training at a state-approved program. Per 18VAC90-50-40, the massage therapy educational program must be certified or approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) or a similar agency in another state, with a minimum of 500 hours of training. [1]

  3. 3

    MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)

    Pass the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) (fee: $265). Per 18VAC90-50-40, applicants must pass the Licensing Examination of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (the MBLEx), or another exam deemed acceptable to the Board. Official exam results are sent directly to the Board of Nursing by FSMTB. The $265 fee is FSMTB's published current MBLEx fee, paid directly to FSMTB, not the Board. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Virginia Board of Nursing (Virginia Department of Health Professions) with the $140 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Virginia Board of Nursing (Virginia Department of Health Professions) issues your Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) for Virginia.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $140
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $95
MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination) [2] $265
Late renewal [3] $30
Reinstatement [3] $150
Reinstatement after suspension/revocation [3] $200
Duplicate license [3] $15

Per 18VAC90-50-30: Application/initial licensure fee is $140.00 (a single combined fee — the Board does not itemize a separate license-issuance fee), biennial renewal is $95.00, late renewal adds $30.00, reinstatement is $150.00 (or $200.00 if reinstating after suspension/revocation), duplicate license is $15.00. The MBLEx exam fee ($265) is paid directly to FSMTB and tracked separately in the exams entry.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Per 18VAC90-50-70, licenses use a staggered birth-month renewal system: licensees born in even-numbered years renew by the last day of their birth month in even-numbered years, and licensees born in odd-numbered years renew by the last day of their birth month in odd-numbered years — effectively a 2-year cycle for each licensee. Per 18VAC90-50-75, renewal requires at least 24 hours of continuing education or learning activities (with at least 1 hour in professional ethics), unless the licensee holds current NCBTMB certification in lieu of the CE requirement.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available. Participates in: Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact).

Per 18VAC90-50-50 (Licensure by endorsement), applicants licensed/certified/registered in another U.S. jurisdiction may apply by endorsement, submitting official verification of licensure from every jurisdiction in which they have ever held a massage credential, in addition to meeting the Board's education, exam, and background-check requirements. Virginia enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) when Governor Youngkin signed the legislation on March 21, 2025, becoming the 4th state to adopt it; per massagecompact.org (checked 2026-07-12), the compact is not yet operational (it requires 7 enacting states to form the Interstate Massage Compact Commission), but Virginia is a confirmed enacted member state.

12 state-approved training providers in Virginia — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $140
  • $265
Total$405

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Virginia require for a massage therapist license?

500 hours from a SCHEV-approved (or equivalent out-of-state) massage therapy education program.

What exam do I need to pass?

The MBLEx (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards), or another exam the Board deems acceptable. Results are sent to the Board directly by FSMTB.

How much does it cost to get licensed in Virginia?

The application/initial licensure fee is $140, plus the separate $265 MBLEx exam fee paid to FSMTB. Renewal is $95 every two years.

How often do I need to renew, and how much continuing education is required?

Every two years (on a birth-month renewal schedule), with at least 24 hours of continuing education (including 1 hour of professional ethics) required, unless you hold current NCBTMB certification.

Has Virginia joined the Interstate Massage Compact?

Yes. Virginia enacted the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact) in March 2025, becoming the 4th state to join, though the compact isn't operational yet — it requires 7 enacting states to form its governing commission.

Sources

  1. [1] law.lis.virginia.gov/admincodefull/title18/agency90/chapter50/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] fsmtb.org/mblex-faqs/ — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] law.lis.virginia.gov/admincodefull/title18/agency90/chapter50/partI/ — accessed 2026-07-12