Massage Therapist in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.
Jobs (VA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a massage therapist in Virginia
To become a Licensed Massage Therapist in Virginia, applicants must complete a minimum of 500 hours of training from a massage therapy program approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia or a comparable agency in another state. They must pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and submit an online application with a fee of $140 to the Virginia Board of Nursing. Additionally, applicants must be at least 18 years old and undergo a criminal history background check with fingerprinting. Virginia offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state licensees and has adopted the Interstate Massage Compact, though a multistate license is not yet active.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Virginia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Virginia requirements
| Licensing body | Virginia Board of Nursing |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 500-hour training program |
| Exam | Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) ($265) |
| Application fee | $140 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 24.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Virginia offers endorsement for out-of-state licensees meeting equivalent education and examination standards.Reciprocal states: Virginia offers licensure by endorsement for massage therapists with a current license in good standing from another state, provided their education and examination meet Virginia's standards. Virginia has also passed the Interstate Massage Compact (IMpact), joining Arkansas, Nevada, and Ohio as participating states. However, at least three more states must pass the IMpact bill before a multistate license becomes available. |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and complete a criminal history background check with fingerprinting. Virginia uses the term 'certification,' but it is a mandatory state-level requirement to practice and use the title 'Certified Massage Therapist.' Provisional licenses are available for eligible candidates awaiting examination results, valid for one 90-day period and non-renewable. A bill was introduced in February 2025 to increase education hours from 500 to 625. |
Source: Virginia Board of Nursing
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Virginia? See whether Virginia recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Massage Therapist license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleVirginia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+15.4%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Massage Therapist head-to-head
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