Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get AIDS/HIV training?
A minimum of four hours of AIDS education and training is required for massage therapy licensure in Washington State.
Information on the availability of HIV/AIDS courses or the AIDS curriculum can be obtained
here.
How much is the application fee?
All fees are outlined on the fees page. Go here for more information.
How long does the application process take?
The required documentation may take several weeks to receive. Criminal history checks are conducted for all massage license applicants. Applications requiring additional background information or Board review may take longer than routine applications. Routine applications can take up to 6 to 8 weeks to process. Licenses may be issued within 14 days following receipt of all required information. While we appreciate your interest in obtaining your license, in order to allow our office to continue the processing of applications in a timely manner, we request that you not call regarding the status of your application for six weeks from the date it was submitted.
If I have a student-issued transcript, can I send that with my application?
No. All required documentation must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Department of Health, Board of Massage, PO Box 47867, Olympia, WA 98504-7867.
After April 3, 2006, school transcripts will no longer be accepted as verification. The Board of Massage requires each school to complete a School Completion Form. The School Completion Form, with the Board of Massage official school stamp, will be required as verification of program completion for practitioner licensing.
If I’m licensed in another state, can I begin practicing once you have my application?
No. You must have a valid Washington State massage therapy practitioner license before practicing as a massage practitioner.
How do personal data questions affect my application?
A “yes” answer to a personal data question or the existence of a criminal conviction does not automatically prohibit the department from issuing a credential. If you answer “yes” on any of the personal data questions or if criminal history appears on a criminal background check, your file will be evaluated on an individual basis. The application now becomes an exception file and the normal application processing time does not apply.
Can I get a temporary or limited permit?
No. There is no temporary or limited permit available to massage practitioners.
Do I have to take the national exam?
Yes.
I'm nationally certified, do I need to be licensed in Washington to practice?
Yes. No person may practice or represent himself or herself as a massage practitioner without first applying for and receiving from the department a license to practice.
A person represents himself or herself as a massage practitioner when the person adopts or uses any title or any description of services that incorporates one or more of the following terms or designations: Massage, massage practitioner, massage therapist, massage therapy, therapeutic massage, massage technician, massage technology, massagist, masseur, masseuse, myotherapist or myotherapy, touch therapist, reflexologist, acupressurist, body therapy or body therapist, or any derivation of those terms that implies a massage technique or method.
Do I need to be licensed to practice reflexology?
No, as long as the practice of reflexology is limited to the hands, feet, and outer ears. The services provided by those who limit their practice to reflexology are not designated or implied to be massage or massage therapy.
Can I use the title “Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)?
No. The license in the state of Washington is for a massage practitioner (LMP). You may use the term “massage therapist” as long as the word “licensed” or the initial “L” is not used in conjunction with it.
How much is my renewal fee?
All fees are outlined on the fees page. Go here for more information.
How long does the renewal process take?
Renewal notices are mailed 6-8 weeks before your expiration date to allow enough time to process the renewal. It is important to remit payment immediately to ensure that your license will be delivered on or before your expiration date. It is against the law to work without a current license.
Online verification is available here. This verification system meets the requirements of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO).
What if I didn’t receive my renewal notice?
The renewal notice is a courtesy reminder. You must renew your license on or before the date of expiration with or without a renewal notice. The expiration for all credentials is the practitioner's birthday. Be sure to contact the Customer Service Center at (360) 236-4700 to make an address change or verify correct address is on record.
What is the process for having a verification of my Washington massage therapy license sent to another jurisdiction?
All fees are outlined on the fees page. Go here for more information.
How many hours of CE must I earn to renew my license?
Beginning January 1st you need to earn 24 hours every two years. You will not report the 24 hours until 2012.
If your continuing education is due in:
- 2010, you need to complete 16 hours during 2008-2010.
- 2011, you need to complete 16 hours during 2009-2011.
- 2012, you need to complete 24 hours during 2010-2012.
I want to provide a CE class, how can I get the class approved by the Board?
The Board of Massage does not approve specific CE courses, curriculum or providers. Licensed massage practitioners are required to take CE courses which meet the requirements of their rules. Licensed massage practitioners also need to make the determination on their own regarding which courses and providers meet the CE rules requirements.
Can I get an extension of time to complete my continuing education?
Extensions may be granted for emergency situations only. It is not advisable to wait until the CE is due to request the extension. If you have exhausted all possibilities for fulfilling your continuing education requirements and are contemplating requesting an extension, keep in mind that:
- Requests could take six weeks or longer. If your license is set to expire before your request can be considered, you can’t practice without an active license.
- The average extension of time granted by the Board is three months.
- If your request is denied, you will still have to complete the CE
hours prior to your expiration date.
- If an extension is granted, you must complete all past due requirements in addition to the hours of CE required for the next renewal cycle.
- The Board grants extensions of time to complete continuing education requirements only for extenuating circumstances, such as a medical illness.
What happens if I am audited?
The Board audits a percentage of all currently licensed massage practitioners to ensure compliance with the continuing education requirements. If audited, you will be required to prove compliance which may include course or program certificates of training or transcripts.
You must maintain documentation of your CE for a period of four years.
Is there anything I should know about continuing education and the board?
The Board does not maintain a list of continuing education courses. Your state or national association should be able to assist you in locating CE courses. The board does not mandate the specific classes a practitioner must take. You should look for courses that meet your individual educational needs and the requirements of the rule.
You must maintain documentation of your CE for a period of four years.
Is my school approved?
The Board of Massage provides a listing of approved schools. You can check it here to see if your school has been approved.
What is the process to get school approval?
The Board of Massage has a very specific application and organizational structure that is required of all schools applying for approval. The application must be presented:
- In triplicate separated in three ring binders,
- with the provided Table of Contents in the front of each copy of the application,
- with an index,
- with consecutively numbered pages, and
- an original current school catalogue in each copy.
When the application is received it will be initially reviewed for completeness. At that time, any additional information or materials deemed necessary will be requested. The application will then be provided to two Washington State Board of Massage members for review. The reviewing members will report their findings to the full Board at the next available Board meeting. The Board will then vote to deny, approve, or request additional documentation.
Before the program is approved, the Board may conduct a site-review and periodic site reviews thereafter, to ensure continued compliance with the standards for approval. The site-review will consist of a self-evaluation, to be completed by the school, and a visit to the school by a representative of the Board.
Do I need to earn CE hours in a specific area?
Yes. Your CE must include:
- a minimum of eight hours in direct supervised massage skills training;
- a minimum of four hours in professional ethics, communication, and/or Washington State massage laws and regulations. Two of these hours must include professional roles and boundaries.
- 12 hours that involve the direct application of massage therapy knowledge, skills and business practices.
What is acceptable CE?
- Attending a local, state, national, or international continuing education program.
- First aid, CPR, or emergency related classes.
- Self study using multimedia devices or the study of books, research materials, and/or other publications. You must receive a letter or other documentation from the organization to document your participation. A maximum of twelve hours is allowed per reporting period.
- Books, research materials, and/or other publications. You must write a two-page synopsis of what was you learned. A maximum of two hours is allowed per reporting period.
- Teaching a course for the first time, not to exceed eight hours.
- Business and management courses not to exceed eight hours.
- Specialized training. Training must be provided for a fee by an individual who has no less than three years of expertise in that area.
- Distance learning. Distance learning includes, but is not limited to, correspondence course, webinar, print, audio/video broadcasting, audio/video teleconferencing, computer aided instruction, e-learning/on-line-learning, or computer broadcasting/webcasting. A maximum of twelve hours is allowed per reporting period.
- Active service on a massage-related board or committee. A maximum of twelve hours is allowed per reporting period.
Return to top
|
