Washington, DC Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 2026
Washington, DC massage therapists must complete 14 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year licensing period to renew their massage therapy license. The required continuing education includes 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency, and 9 hours of massage-related coursework, including 6 hours of massage technique courses. DC also requires 10% of the total CE requirement to address public health priorities.
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00 and offers online massage therapy continuing education courses that may be used toward qualifying DC continuing education requirements. You can take up to 6 CE hours from us if 3 of the hours are in ethics. If you have already taken youe ethics hours, then you may take up to 3 CE hours from us. You can verify this information or contact the Washington, DC massage board with further questions by visiting the Washington DC Board of Massage.
Suggested courses for Oklahoma massage therapy license renewal:
- Ethics Refresher - 3 CE hours
- Ethics, Boundaries and Client Relationships - 3 CE hours
- Ethics, Beliefs and Regulations - 3 CE hours
- Massage for Anxiety and Depression - 3 CE hours
- Massage Therapy Research - 3 CE hours
Washington, DC Massage Therapy CE Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Washington, DC |
|---|---|
| Required CE | 14 hours |
| CE period | Every 2 years |
| Ethics | 3 hours |
| LGBTQ cultural competency | 2 hours |
| Massage-related coursework | 9 hours |
| Massage technique requirement | 6 of the 9 massage-related hours |
| Public health priorities | 10% of total CE |
| CPR/First Aid | Current CPR and First Aid certification required |
| First renewal | CE not required for first renewal |
| License renewal | Birth-month renewal cycle |
How Many CE Hours Does a Washington, DC Massage Therapist Need?
Washington, DC massage therapists must complete 14 hours of approved continuing education during the two years before license renewal.
The 14 hours must include:
- 3 CE hours in professional ethics
- 2 CE hours in LGBTQ cultural competency
- 9 CE hours of massage-related coursework
- 6 of the 9 massage-related hours must be massage technique courses
- 10% of the total CE must address public health priorities
The public health priorities requirement may overlap with another required CE category when the course covers an identified public health priority.
Can Washington, DC Massage Therapists Take CE Online?
Yes, under the current temporary policy.
Washington, DC normally requires 6 of the 9 massage-related hours to be hands-on massage technique courses completed in a live classroom setting. However, the Board of Massage Therapy voted in September 2024 to maintain the suspension of the live classroom requirement through the 2027 renewal cycle.
Does Washington, DC Require Ethics CE?
Yes. Washington, DC requires 3 CE hours of professional ethics during each applicable renewal period.
MassageTherapyCEU.com offers several 3-hour ethics courses, including Ethics, Beliefs and Regulations, Ethics, Boundaries and Client Relationships, and Ethics Refresher.
Does Washington, DC Require LGBTQ Cultural Competency CE?
Yes. Massage therapists must complete 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency education as part of the DC continuing education requirement. This is a separate mandatory subject area and should be completed through a course that meets the District's requirements.
Does Washington, DC Require CPR and First Aid?
Yes. Washington, DC requires massage therapists to maintain current CPR and First Aid certification. The DC Board has previously suspended the in-person requirement for CPR training during the temporary policy period, but therapists should verify the current requirements for their renewal cycle.
How Often Does a Washington, DC Massage Therapist Renew Their License?
DC Health transitioned professional licenses to a birth-month renewal cycle beginning in 2024. Licenses issued on or after June 16, 2024, expire on the last day of the holder's birth month, and renewing licensees are also being moved to this cycle.
Because of this transition, some licensees have renewal periods of less than two years. DC Health has approved a one-time adjustment allowing qualifying licensees with less than two years on their license term to complete 50% of the standard CE requirement, while still completing the required LGBTQ cultural competency and public health priorities education.
Does Washington, DC Require CE for the First Renewal?
No. First-time renewal applicants are exempt from the continuing education requirement. The regular CE requirements apply after the first registration period.
How to Complete Your Washington, DC Massage Therapy CE
Step 1: Check Your License Expiration Date
Check your DC massage therapy license to determine your current renewal date. Under the new system, the expiration date falls on the last day of your birth month.
Step 2: Determine Your CE Requirement
For a standard two-year renewal period, you must complete 14 hours of approved CE, including ethics, LGBTQ cultural competency, massage-related education, and public health priorities.
Step 3: Complete Your Required Subject Areas
Make sure your CE includes the required 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency, and 9 hours of massage-related coursework, including the required massage technique education.
Step 4: Complete CPR and First Aid
Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification as required by the District of Columbia.
Step 5: Renew Your License
Complete your renewal through the DC Health online licensing system and provide CE documentation if requested.
Washington, DC Massage Therapy CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a Washington, DC massage therapist need?
Massage therapists must complete 14 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year licensing period.
Does Washington, DC require ethics CE?
Yes. 3 hours of professional ethics are required.
Does Washington, DC require LGBTQ cultural competency CE?
Yes. 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency are required.
How many massage-related CE hours are required?
DC requires 9 hours of massage-related coursework, including 6 hours of massage technique courses under the underlying regulation.
Can I take Washington, DC massage CE online?
The DC Board has continued its temporary suspension of the live classroom requirement through the 2027 renewal cycle, allowing qualifying CE to be completed through online or virtual means during the applicable period. Verify the current policy before completing your renewal.
Can I complete all of my DC massage CE through MassageTherapyCEU.com?
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00. The courses may be used toward qualifying continuing education, but you must make sure that your selected courses satisfy all DC mandatory subject requirements for your renewal period.
Does Washington, DC require CPR and First Aid?
Yes. Massage therapists must maintain current CPR and First Aid certification.
Is continuing education required for the first renewal?
No. First-time renewal applicants are exempt from the CE requirement.
Complete Your Washington, DC Massage Therapy CE
Washington, DC requires massage therapists to complete 14 hours of approved continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency, and 9 hours of massage-related coursework.
MassageTherapyCEU.com is an NCBTMB Approved Provider #409296-00 and offers online massage therapy continuing education courses for therapists completing qualifying CE requirements.