Massage Therapist / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Massage Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides therapeutic massage to relieve pain and reduce stress.

What the Virginia data shows for Massage Therapists

Virginia's path to massage therapist licensure runs through 602 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Virginia folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Massage Therapy School".

Budget $105 to get started, plus $58 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
63/100
Massage Therapist · Virginia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training C
602 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$105
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$29/yr
$58 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Massage Therapy School
602 hours
Exam Requirement
MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)
Required
Initial License Fee
$105
Renewal Fee
$58
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Massage Therapist All Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Massage Therapist in Virginia? ▼
Virginia requires 602 education/training hours, passing an exam (MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam)), and an initial fee of $105. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Massage Therapist in Virginia? ▼
To become a licensed massage therapist in Virginia, you must meet the state's requirements including 602 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Virginia licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Massage Therapist license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for massage therapists: Varies by state — check with state board. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Virginia licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Virginia require a background check for Massage Therapist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for massage therapist licensing in Virginia. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Massage Therapist in Virginia? ▼
Virginia ties continued massage therapist licensure to 24 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $58 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this massage therapist license

Massage Therapist in Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a massage therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Virginia's massage therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Massage Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state massage therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Virginia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Virginia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Virginia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.