Virginia Massage Therapy CE Courses (2026)
To renew your Massage Therapy license in Virginia you need to satisfy the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions)'s continuing education (CE) requirement — about 24 hours per 2-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What Virginia requires for Massage Therapy renewal
| CE hours required | 24 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) |
24 hours of continuing education/learning activities per biennial renewal, including at least 1 hour in professional ethics. At least 12 of the 24 hours must be courses/activities from approved providers (e.g., NCBTMB, FSMTB, AMTA, ABMP, COMTA, or accredited massage schools); up to 12 hours may be other activities such as consultation, independent reading/research, presentation prep, or a CPR course. Exempt from continuing competency for the first biennial renewal following initial Virginia licensure. The board may grant up to a one-year extension for good cause on written request before the renewal date. Records must be kept for four years.
Full Massage Therapy renewal guide for Virginia (deadlines, fees & CE) →
Virginia Massage Therapy CE course providers
- Institute for Integrative Healthcare
NCBTMB-approved online massage CE, including ethics and state-required topics.
- ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals)
Member CE library and approved courses for massage therapists.
- NCBTMB Approved Providers
Directory of NCBTMB-approved CE providers accepted by most state boards.
Virginia Massage Therapy CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Massage Therapy license in Virginia?
Virginia requires about 24 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. 24 hours of continuing education/learning activities per biennial renewal, including at least 1 hour in professional ethics. At least 12 of the 24 hours must be courses/activities from approved providers (e.g., NCBTMB, FSMTB, AMTA, ABMP, COMTA, or accredited massage schools); up to 12 hours may be other activities such as consultation, independent reading/research, presentation prep, or a CPR course. Exempt from continuing competency for the first biennial renewal following initial Virginia licensure. The board may grant up to a one-year extension for good cause on written request before the renewal date. Records must be kept for four years.
Do online Massage Therapy CE courses count in Virginia?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions). Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my Virginia Massage Therapy CE?
Virginia generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions).
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions). Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.
Official Virginia Board of Nursing (Department of Health Professions) site →