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How to get a massage therapist license in District of Columbia. 500 training hours required. MBLEx required. Government fees: $457. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Massage Therapist
Most information on this page has been verified.
82% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 fields based on preliminary research. 1 field needs verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Licensed
Regulation
500 hrs
Training Hours
Licensed Massage Therapist
License Title
MBLEx
Exam Required
$457
Total Fees
14 hrs
CE Required
District of Columbia requires state licensing to practice massage therapy. You must complete approved training, pass the required exam, and obtain a license before practicing.
Minimum Age
Education Level
Background Check
Fingerprinting
CPR Certification
Liability Insurance
Required Training Hours
500 hours
Clinical / Hands-On Hours
hours
Program Approval
Board-approved and accredited school, minimum 6 months duration
Curriculum Topics
Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)
Administered by FSMTB
Passing Score
Scaled score — pass/fail
Exam Fee
$195
MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $262 |
License Fee | Included in application fee |
Exam Fee MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB | $195 |
Total Government Fees Application ($262) + MBLEx ($195) | $457 |
Can Use Title “LMT”
YesModalities Allowed
Restrictions
Accepts Out-of-State License
MBLEx Score Transfers
Additional Requirements for Reciprocity
Renewal Period
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education
Regulatory Board
DC requires 2 CE hours in LGBTQ cultural competency as part of the 14-hour biennial CE requirement. The education program must be at least 6 months in total duration.
DC requires 14 CE hours per renewal: 3 in ethics, 2 in LGBTQ cultural competency, 9 in massage-related coursework.
Licenses expire January 31 of odd-numbered years.
Education program must be at least 6 months in duration.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#14 of 51
Cost
#36 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Massage Therapists (SOC 31-9011)
Entry Level
$54,100
25th percentile
Median
$62,220
+7% vs. national avg ($57,950)Experienced
$85,110
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Note: Massage therapist income varies widely based on practice setting (spa, clinic, private practice). Self-employed therapists' earnings may differ significantly from these figures.
Source: BLS OEWS – Massage Therapists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+13.9%
High DemandNew Jobs
+18,600
over 10 years
Annual Openings
20,300
per year (avg.)
133,200 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 26–52 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: DC Board of Massage Therapy — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: DC Board of Massage Therapy — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and practice tests for the MBLEx licensing exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
District of Columbia requires 500 hours of training to become a licensed massage therapist. Visit the state board for approved providers and application details.
Contact the state board for a list of approved education providers.