Washington Massage License

To practice massage professionally in WA State you need to have a professional massage license in WA State.

State Board Contact Information:

Washington State Department of Health Health Professions Quality Assurance Washington State Dept. of Health Board of Massage (Please confirm information with the State Board as requirements change frequently)

Scope of Practice of WA State massage therapists as outlined in the definitions code RCW 18.108.010 states:

(2) "Massage" and "massage therapy" mean a health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy includes techniques such as tapping, compressions, friction, Swedish gymnastics or movements, gliding, kneading, shaking, and fascial or connective tissue stretching, with or without the aids of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts. Massage therapy does not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate any articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations by the use of a thrusting force, nor does it include genital manipulation.

-500 hours of education from an approved school or apprenticeship training and passing the National Certification Exam. (List of approved Washington State massage schools.)See state website for breakdown of hours of education requirements.

-or currently be licensed in an approved jurisdiction.

- Criminal history checks are conducted on all license applicants.

- 16 hours of continuing education must be completed by all licensees every two years following initial licensure.

-It is illegal to date clients within a 2 year period of them being a client. Please check the website for more information.

-WA State licenses animal massage therapists. WAC 246-830-435

-Reflexologists and some somatic practitioners are exempt.

-Athletic department massage is exempt.

-Washington State Massage Practitioners are able to become contracted providers with PPO's and HMO's and bill for massage services but that does not have anything to do with licensing or the massage state board. Credentialling is required with each company or the third party networks such as American Whole Health Networks (www.americanwholehealth.com) who represents Premera Blue Cross, Uniform Medical, Aetna, Group Health, Corvel (who is a company that represents some motor vehicle insurance companies) and a few others. Allowable fees for the majority of these insurance companies is lower than the average fee (which in Seattle is $65-$85 for a hour massage). This means you will lose money or have to work more hours to make the same money. WA is one of the only 2 States that allows massage therapists to bill health insurance companies. The other state is Florida.

-Massage Practitioners are able to bill insurance companies for motor vehicle accidents and injuries at work through the Department of Labor and Industries. (http://www.lni.wa.gov/).

Intraoral Massage requires additional training according to WAC 246-830-490

For more information on Massage Therapy Schools in Washington State.

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