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How to get a massage therapist license in Virginia. 500 training hours required. MBLEx required. Government fees: $335. 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
$335
Total Fees
24 hrs
CE Required
Virginia 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
Approved massage therapy program
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 | $140 |
License Fee | Included |
Exam Fee MBLEx fee paid to FSMTB | $195 |
Total Government Fees Estimated total; does not include education costs | $335 |
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
Virginia is notable for regulating massage therapy through the Board of Nursing rather than a dedicated massage therapy board. New licensees are exempt from CE requirements for the first 2 years.
Virginia regulates massage therapy through the Board of Nursing, not a dedicated board.
24 CE hours per 2-year renewal (exempt for first 2 years after initial licensure).
Fingerprinting required for national criminal history check.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Virginia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#27 of 51
Cost
#20 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Massage Therapists (SOC 31-9011)
Entry Level
$46,750
25th percentile
Median
$56,850
-2% vs. national avg ($57,950)Experienced
$72,550
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
2,150 employed in this state
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.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the MBLEx licensing exam.
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Virginia 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.