Massage Therapy License Renewal in Washington (2026)

Massage Therapy license renewal in Washington is handled by the Washington State Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy, which requires Massage Therapist (LMT)s to renew every 12 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Washington Massage Therapy renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	12 months
Deadline rule	Licenses renew annually and expire on the licensee's birthday. Renewal may be completed up to 90 days before the expiration date; courtesy renewal notices are emailed roughly 6-8 weeks ahead. Note: although the license renews every year, the continuing education requirement runs on a 2-year cycle.
CE hours required	24 hours
Renewal fee	$166.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Washington State Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy

Go to the official Washington State Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Washington State Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy. automated research workflow (official washington massage board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Massage Therapys in Washington

24 CE hours required every two years (WAC 246-830-475). Within those 24 hours: at least 8 hours of hands-on practice that must be in person and directly supervised (virtual not allowed); at least 4 hours in professional ethics, client communication, professional roles/boundaries, or Washington massage laws and rules (up to 2 of these may come from in-person board meeting attendance, max 1 hour per meeting); and at least 2 hours of health equity training (required for cycles beginning on/after Jan 1, 2024, and counting toward the 24-hour total). Licensees must also maintain CPR certification (may count up to 4 hours; CPR for renewal may be completed online/hybrid, unlike initial licensure which requires in-person).

Need approved hours? Compare Washington Massage Therapy CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Massage Therapy license in Washington

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Washington State Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy portal.
Complete the required 24 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Washington licenses massage therapists at the state level (LMT) through the Department of Health under the Board of Massage Therapy. Renewal is annual on the licensee's birthday. Published renewal fee is $166, which includes a $16 HEALWA (Health Sciences Library) access fee. Late renewal penalty is $75; reissuance of an expired credential is $50. Renewal can be done online, by mail, or by phone (DOH highly encourages online). CE is biennial at 24 hours despite the annual renewal cycle. No state-operated automated CE tracking system identified; licensees retain their own documentation and DOH may audit. Renewal fee and late fee verified on the official DOH Massage Therapist licensing information page; CE rule verified on the official DOH continuing education page (citing WAC 246-830-475).

Massage Therapy license renewal in Washington: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Massage Therapy license in Washington?

Washington Massage Therapy licenses renew every 12 months. Licenses renew annually and expire on the licensee's birthday. Renewal may be completed up to 90 days before the expiration date; courtesy renewal notices are emailed roughly 6-8 weeks ahead. Note: although the license renews every year, the continuing education requirement runs on a 2-year cycle.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Massage Therapy license in Washington?

Approximately 24 continuing-education hours per cycle. 24 CE hours required every two years (WAC 246-830-475). Within those 24 hours: at least 8 hours of hands-on practice that must be in person and directly supervised (virtual not allowed); at least 4 hours in professional ethics, client communication, professional roles/boundaries, or Washington massage laws and rules (up to 2 of these may come from in-person board meeting attendance, max 1 hour per meeting); and at least 2 hours of health equity training (required for cycles beginning on/after Jan 1, 2024, and counting toward the 24-hour total). Licensees must also maintain CPR certification (may count up to 4 hours; CPR for renewal may be completed online/hybrid, unlike initial licensure which requires in-person). Confirm the current requirement with the Washington State Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy.

Can I renew my Washington Massage Therapy license online?

Yes — Washington offers online renewal through the Washington State Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Washington Massage Therapy license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $75 may apply. Contact the Washington State Department of Health, Board of Massage Therapy promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Massage Therapist (LMT) renewal