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District of Columbia Massage Therapy — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Massage Therapist License

Regular license to practice massage therapy; issuance and maintenance routes are distinguished below. Supervised practice under §§ 7511 and 7515 is a student or pending-applicant privilege rather than a separately issued license.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy / DC Health · Application information

Licensure by endorsement

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Complete the online application and pay required fees; supply photograph, government photo identification, demographic information, Social Security number or sworn affidavit and supporting identification, and applicable name-change documents under the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Certification substitution
The August 12, 2019 checklist states that the BCTMB credential is not accepted in lieu of NCETMB. Its reference to NCCA does not itself name an examination; BCETMB adoption is not established by that wording.
Cpr and first aid
Current CPR and first-aid certification; CPR training must be in a live classroom and certifications maintained without interruption under §§ 7502.8(d) and 7512.3-7512.4.
Criminal and disciplinary history
Meet D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1),(6),(7); provide a criminal background check and explanations and records for affirmative screening responses.
Discontinued examination
The rules and 2019 checklist name NCETMB. FSMTB reports that NCBTMB ceased offering licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. A previously earned NCETMB score is prior evidence to be evaluated by the Board, rather than a currently offered exam leaf.
Education
An approved or equivalently accredited school program, graduation certificate and official transcript; at least 500 in-class hours over at least six months, including at least 100 hours of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and at least three hours of professional ethics; correspondence and online courses are not recognized under §§ 7502.1-7502.8.
Exam waiver
D.C. Code § 3-1205.06(e)(1) permits the Board, in its discretion, to waive examination requirements for an applicant meeting § 3-1205.07. This permission does not itself exercise a waiver; the 2025 checklist for examination and endorsement requests certified scores.
Existing credential
Licensed, registered, certified or accredited by a state board or accrediting association with substantially equivalent standards at original issuance and continuous good standing through D.C. issuance, subject to current-competency standards under § 3-1205.07(c).
Licensure verifications
Obtain primary-source verification of every professional license ever held, regardless of status, under item 12 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Minimum age
At least 18 years of age under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Npdb
Provide an NPDB self-query report requested no more than thirty days before application under item 13 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Older qualification
If applying more than two years after completing education and examination requirements, demonstrate fifty supervised clinical hours, including twenty-five client-contact hours within the preceding four months, under § 7502.3.
Open approved alternatives
Section 7504.1 permits other NCCA- or FSMTB-certified examinations approved at Board discretion. This unnamed remainder is a condition requiring Board approval; it does not identify an additional registered exam.
Passing score
Pass an approved examination before the Board considers the application; have the examining body send certified scores under §§ 7504.2-7504.3 and item 8 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Licensure by examination

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Complete the online application and pay required fees; supply photograph, government photo identification, demographic information, Social Security number or sworn affidavit and supporting identification, and applicable name-change documents under the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Certification substitution
The August 12, 2019 checklist states that the BCTMB credential is not accepted in lieu of NCETMB. Its reference to NCCA does not itself name an examination; BCETMB adoption is not established by that wording.
Cpr and first aid
Current CPR and first-aid certification; CPR training must be in a live classroom and certifications maintained without interruption under §§ 7502.8(d) and 7512.3-7512.4.
Criminal and disciplinary history
Meet D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1),(6),(7); provide a criminal background check and explanations and records for affirmative screening responses.
Discontinued examination
The rules and 2019 checklist name NCETMB. FSMTB reports that NCBTMB ceased offering licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. A previously earned NCETMB score is prior evidence to be evaluated by the Board, rather than a currently offered exam leaf.
Education
An approved or equivalently accredited school program, graduation certificate and official transcript; at least 500 in-class hours over at least six months, including at least 100 hours of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and at least three hours of professional ethics; correspondence and online courses are not recognized under §§ 7502.1-7502.8.
Minimum age
At least 18 years of age under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Older qualification
If applying more than two years after completing education and examination requirements, demonstrate fifty supervised clinical hours, including twenty-five client-contact hours within the preceding four months, under § 7502.3.
Open approved alternatives
Section 7504.1 permits other NCCA- or FSMTB-certified examinations approved at Board discretion. This unnamed remainder is a condition requiring Board approval; it does not identify an additional registered exam.
Passing score
Pass an approved examination before the Board considers the application; have the examining body send certified scores under §§ 7504.2-7504.3 and item 8 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
First license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the applicable online application and required fees and meet the governing statutory and rule requirements.
Cpr and first aid
Submit CPR and first-aid certificates valid on renewal, reactivation or reinstatement; live-classroom CPR and uninterrupted certification are required under § 7512.
First renewal
Section 7506.1 exempts the first renewal from the chapter continuing-education requirement; CPR and first-aid requirements still apply.
Renewal cycle
Observe the expiration shown on the issued license. Section 7501.2 and § 4006.3 permit the Director to change the renewal system; the current official licensing page announces the birth-month renewal transition effective June 16, 2024.
Transition ce
The current official Board licensing page states a one-time fifty-percent CE allowance for license terms shorter than two years during the birth-month transition; the two LGBTQ hours and ten-percent public-health-priority requirement remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination with foreign education

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Complete the online application and pay required fees; supply photograph, government photo identification, demographic information, Social Security number or sworn affidavit and supporting identification, and applicable name-change documents under the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Certification substitution
The August 12, 2019 checklist states that the BCTMB credential is not accepted in lieu of NCETMB. Its reference to NCCA does not itself name an examination; BCETMB adoption is not established by that wording.
Cpr and first aid
Current CPR and first-aid certification; CPR training must be in a live classroom and certifications maintained without interruption under §§ 7502.8(d) and 7512.3-7512.4.
Criminal and disciplinary history
Meet D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1),(6),(7); provide a criminal background check and explanations and records for affirmative screening responses.
Discontinued examination
The rules and 2019 checklist name NCETMB. FSMTB reports that NCBTMB ceased offering licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. A previously earned NCETMB score is prior evidence to be evaluated by the Board, rather than a currently offered exam leaf.
Education
Foreign education must satisfy every requirement of Chapter 75 except § 7502.1; arrange a Board-satisfactory evaluation demonstrating equivalent education and practical training under § 7503.1 and equivalent accreditation standards under § 7503.2.
Foreign documents
Provide a Board-acceptable English translation signed by the translator; the Board may interview the applicant under §§ 7503.3-7503.4.
Minimum age
At least 18 years of age under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Older qualification
If applying more than two years after completing education and examination requirements, demonstrate fifty supervised clinical hours, including twenty-five client-contact hours within the preceding four months, under § 7502.3.
Open approved alternatives
Section 7504.1 permits other NCCA- or FSMTB-certified examinations approved at Board discretion. This unnamed remainder is a condition requiring Board approval; it does not identify an additional registered exam.
Passing score
Pass an approved examination before the Board considers the application; have the examining body send certified scores under §§ 7504.2-7504.3 and item 8 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Late renewal within sixty days
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the applicable online application and required fees and meet the governing statutory and rule requirements.
Continuing education
Fourteen approved hours in the preceding two-year period, including three professional ethics hours, nine massage-related hours of which six are live hands-on massage technique, and two LGBTQ hours; ten percent of total hours address the published public-health priorities under § 7506.3(b)-(c).
Cpr and first aid
Submit CPR and first-aid certificates valid on renewal, reactivation or reinstatement; live-classroom CPR and uninterrupted certification are required under § 7512.
First renewal exception
Section 7506.1 exempts a first renewal from its CE requirement.
Late window
Renew within sixty days after expiration and pay the late fee under § 4005.5; after renewal the license is deemed valid throughout the interval.
Renewal cycle
Observe the expiration shown on the issued license. Section 7501.2 and § 4006.3 permit the Director to change the renewal system; the current official licensing page announces the birth-month renewal transition effective June 16, 2024.
Transition ce
The current official Board licensing page states a one-time fifty-percent CE allowance for license terms shorter than two years during the birth-month transition; the two LGBTQ hours and ten-percent public-health-priority requirement remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal or reinstatement after qualifying active military deployment
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the applicable online application and required fees and meet the governing statutory and rule requirements.
Continuing education
Where CE hours were not earned during the earning period, complete them within six months after discharge, return to inactive military status or return from an active war zone under § 4015.2.
Cpr and first aid
Submit CPR and first-aid certificates valid on renewal, reactivation or reinstatement; live-classroom CPR and uninterrupted certification are required under § 7512.
Fees
Pay the renewal fee; reinstatement and late-renewal fees are waived under § 4015.1.
Military service
License was active at deployment and lapsed while serving during active military operations; apply while serving or within six months after discharge or return to inactive military status and submit military orders or equivalent evidence under § 4015.1.
Other requirements
This route adjusts renewal or reinstatement timing and fees; all other applicable requirements, including current CPR and first aid, remain.
Renewal cycle
Observe the expiration shown on the issued license. Section 7501.2 and § 4006.3 permit the Director to change the renewal system; the current official licensing page announces the birth-month renewal transition effective June 16, 2024.
Transition ce
The current official Board licensing page states a one-time fifty-percent CE allowance for license terms shorter than two years during the birth-month transition; the two LGBTQ hours and ten-percent public-health-priority requirement remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New application after the five year reinstatement limit

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Complete the online application and pay required fees; supply photograph, government photo identification, demographic information, Social Security number or sworn affidavit and supporting identification, and applicable name-change documents under the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Certification substitution
The August 12, 2019 checklist states that the BCTMB credential is not accepted in lieu of NCETMB. Its reference to NCCA does not itself name an examination; BCETMB adoption is not established by that wording.
Cpr and first aid
Current CPR and first-aid certification; CPR training must be in a live classroom and certifications maintained without interruption under §§ 7502.8(d) and 7512.3-7512.4.
Criminal and disciplinary history
Meet D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1),(6),(7); provide a criminal background check and explanations and records for affirmative screening responses.
Discontinued examination
The rules and 2019 checklist name NCETMB. FSMTB reports that NCBTMB ceased offering licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. A previously earned NCETMB score is prior evidence to be evaluated by the Board, rather than a currently offered exam leaf.
Education
An approved or equivalently accredited school program, graduation certificate and official transcript; at least 500 in-class hours over at least six months, including at least 100 hours of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and at least three hours of professional ethics; correspondence and online courses are not recognized under §§ 7502.1-7502.8.
Expiration
A license not reinstated within five years cannot be reinstated; a new application may be made under § 3-1205.12(b).
Minimum age
At least 18 years of age under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Older qualification
If applying more than two years after completing education and examination requirements, demonstrate fifty supervised clinical hours, including twenty-five client-contact hours within the preceding four months, under § 7502.3.
Open approved alternatives
Section 7504.1 permits other NCCA- or FSMTB-certified examinations approved at Board discretion. This unnamed remainder is a condition requiring Board approval; it does not identify an additional registered exam.
Passing score
Pass an approved examination before the Board considers the application; have the examining body send certified scores under §§ 7504.2-7504.3 and item 8 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
New application after more than ten years inactive

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Complete the online application and pay required fees; supply photograph, government photo identification, demographic information, Social Security number or sworn affidavit and supporting identification, and applicable name-change documents under the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Certification substitution
The August 12, 2019 checklist states that the BCTMB credential is not accepted in lieu of NCETMB. Its reference to NCCA does not itself name an examination; BCETMB adoption is not established by that wording.
Cpr and first aid
Current CPR and first-aid certification; CPR training must be in a live classroom and certifications maintained without interruption under §§ 7502.8(d) and 7512.3-7512.4.
Criminal and disciplinary history
Meet D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1),(6),(7); provide a criminal background check and explanations and records for affirmative screening responses.
Discontinued examination
The rules and 2019 checklist name NCETMB. FSMTB reports that NCBTMB ceased offering licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. A previously earned NCETMB score is prior evidence to be evaluated by the Board, rather than a currently offered exam leaf.
Education
An approved or equivalently accredited school program, graduation certificate and official transcript; at least 500 in-class hours over at least six months, including at least 100 hours of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and at least three hours of professional ethics; correspondence and online courses are not recognized under §§ 7502.1-7502.8.
Inactive duration
After more than ten years inactive, apply for and meet licensure requirements under § 7502, as § 7506.6 directs.
Minimum age
At least 18 years of age under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Older qualification
If applying more than two years after completing education and examination requirements, demonstrate fifty supervised clinical hours, including twenty-five client-contact hours within the preceding four months, under § 7502.3.
Open approved alternatives
Section 7504.1 permits other NCCA- or FSMTB-certified examinations approved at Board discretion. This unnamed remainder is a condition requiring Board approval; it does not identify an additional registered exam.
Passing score
Pass an approved examination before the Board considers the application; have the examining body send certified scores under §§ 7504.2-7504.3 and item 8 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Reactivation without a current credential elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the applicable online application and required fees and meet the governing statutory and rule requirements.
Competency
Establish current competency to the Board; a re-entry plan may be required under § 3-1205.11(c)(3).
Continuing education
Fourteen approved hours in the preceding two-year period, including three professional ethics hours, nine massage-related hours of which six are live hands-on massage technique, and two LGBTQ hours; ten percent of total hours address the published public-health priorities under § 7506.3(b)-(c). Complete the hours during the two years before application under § 7506.4.
Cpr and first aid
Submit CPR and first-aid certificates valid on renewal, reactivation or reinstatement; live-classroom CPR and uninterrupted certification are required under § 7512.
Criminal background check
Meet current criminal background check requirements under § 3-1205.11(c)(2).
Inactive duration
License has not been inactive for more than ten years.
Renewal cycle
Observe the expiration shown on the issued license. Section 7501.2 and § 4006.3 permit the Director to change the renewal system; the current official licensing page announces the birth-month renewal transition effective June 16, 2024.
Transition ce
The current official Board licensing page states a one-time fifty-percent CE allowance for license terms shorter than two years during the birth-month transition; the two LGBTQ hours and ten-percent public-health-priority requirement remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation with a current credential elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the applicable online application and required fees and meet the governing statutory and rule requirements.
Cpr and first aid
Submit CPR and first-aid certificates valid on renewal, reactivation or reinstatement; live-classroom CPR and uninterrupted certification are required under § 7512.
Criminal background check
Meet the criminal background check requirements in effect at reactivation under § 3-1205.11(c)(2).
Current credential
Hold a current and valid license or authorization to practice massage therapy in another United States jurisdiction; § 7506.5 deems current competency established and dispenses with CE proof.
Inactive duration
License has not been inactive for more than ten years.
Renewal cycle
Observe the expiration shown on the issued license. Section 7501.2 and § 4006.3 permit the Director to change the renewal system; the current official licensing page announces the birth-month renewal transition effective June 16, 2024.
Transition ce
The current official Board licensing page states a one-time fifty-percent CE allowance for license terms shorter than two years during the birth-month transition; the two LGBTQ hours and ten-percent public-health-priority requirement remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Complete the online application and pay required fees; supply photograph, government photo identification, demographic information, Social Security number or sworn affidavit and supporting identification, and applicable name-change documents under the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Certification substitution
The August 12, 2019 checklist states that the BCTMB credential is not accepted in lieu of NCETMB. Its reference to NCCA does not itself name an examination; BCETMB adoption is not established by that wording.
Cpr and first aid
Current CPR and first-aid certification; CPR training must be in a live classroom and certifications maintained without interruption under §§ 7502.8(d) and 7512.3-7512.4.
Criminal and disciplinary history
Meet D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1),(6),(7); provide a criminal background check and explanations and records for affirmative screening responses.
Discontinued examination
The rules and 2019 checklist name NCETMB. FSMTB reports that NCBTMB ceased offering licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. A previously earned NCETMB score is prior evidence to be evaluated by the Board, rather than a currently offered exam leaf.
Education
An approved or equivalently accredited school program, graduation certificate and official transcript; at least 500 in-class hours over at least six months, including at least 100 hours of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and at least three hours of professional ethics; correspondence and online courses are not recognized under §§ 7502.1-7502.8.
Exam waiver
D.C. Code § 3-1205.06(e)(1) permits the Board, in its discretion, to waive examination requirements for an applicant meeting § 3-1205.07. This permission does not itself exercise a waiver; the 2025 checklist for examination and endorsement requests certified scores.
Minimum age
At least 18 years of age under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Older qualification
If applying more than two years after completing education and examination requirements, demonstrate fifty supervised clinical hours, including twenty-five client-contact hours within the preceding four months, under § 7502.3.
Open approved alternatives
Section 7504.1 permits other NCCA- or FSMTB-certified examinations approved at Board discretion. This unnamed remainder is a condition requiring Board approval; it does not identify an additional registered exam.
Passing score
Pass an approved examination before the Board considers the application; have the examining body send certified scores under §§ 7504.2-7504.3 and item 8 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Reciprocity
Hold a license, registration or certification in good standing under substantially equivalent standards in a jurisdiction that admits D.C. licensees in a like manner; provide evidence of reciprocal treatment under § 4014.1.
Verification
Provide certified proof of the existing credential and good standing under § 4014.1.
Reinstatement more than two years and within five years of expiration with recent practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the applicable online application and required fees and meet the governing statutory and rule requirements.
Competency
Establish fitness and competency under § 4010.3; additional education or training may be imposed under § 4010.5.
Continuing education
For expiration more than two but less than five years, complete twenty-six hours in the preceding two years: six ethics, eighteen massage-related including twelve live hands-on, and two LGBTQ; ten percent addresses public-health priorities. At the five-year boundary, § 3-1205.12 governs eligibility while § 7506.7(b) literally says less than five years; obtain the Board determination of the applicable CE amount.
Cpr and first aid
Submit CPR and first-aid certificates valid on renewal, reactivation or reinstatement; live-classroom CPR and uninterrupted certification are required under § 7512.
Expiration
More than two years since expiration; apply within five years under § 3-1205.12(a)(1).
Recent practice
Applicant has been actively practicing within the two preceding years, so § 3-1205.12(c) does not trigger its potential testing provision.
Renewal cycle
Observe the expiration shown on the issued license. Section 7501.2 and § 4006.3 permit the Director to change the renewal system; the current official licensing page announces the birth-month renewal transition effective June 16, 2024.
Transition ce
The current official Board licensing page states a one-time fifty-percent CE allowance for license terms shorter than two years during the birth-month transition; the two LGBTQ hours and ten-percent public-health-priority requirement remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement within two years of expiration with recent practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the applicable online application and required fees and meet the governing statutory and rule requirements.
Competency
Demonstrate fitness, competency and knowledge of District and federal laws to the Board under § 4010.3; educational or training requirements may be imposed under § 4010.5.
Continuing education
Fourteen approved hours in the preceding two-year period, including three professional ethics hours, nine massage-related hours of which six are live hands-on massage technique, and two LGBTQ hours; ten percent of total hours address the published public-health priorities under § 7506.3(b)-(c). Complete these hours during the two years preceding application under § 7506.7(a).
Cpr and first aid
Submit CPR and first-aid certificates valid on renewal, reactivation or reinstatement; live-classroom CPR and uninterrupted certification are required under § 7512.
Expiration
License expired two years or less and the sixty-day late-renewal period has passed.
Recent practice
Applicant has been actively practicing the profession within the two years preceding application; the special potential testing provision in § 3-1205.12(c) is not triggered.
Renewal cycle
Observe the expiration shown on the issued license. Section 7501.2 and § 4006.3 permit the Director to change the renewal system; the current official licensing page announces the birth-month renewal transition effective June 16, 2024.
Transition ce
The current official Board licensing page states a one-time fifty-percent CE allowance for license terms shorter than two years during the birth-month transition; the two LGBTQ hours and ten-percent public-health-priority requirement remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Subsequent license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the applicable online application and required fees and meet the governing statutory and rule requirements.
Continuing education
Fourteen approved hours in the preceding two-year period, including three professional ethics hours, nine massage-related hours of which six are live hands-on massage technique, and two LGBTQ hours; ten percent of total hours address the published public-health priorities under § 7506.3(b)-(c).
Cpr and first aid
Submit CPR and first-aid certificates valid on renewal, reactivation or reinstatement; live-classroom CPR and uninterrupted certification are required under § 7512.
Renewal cycle
Observe the expiration shown on the issued license. Section 7501.2 and § 4006.3 permit the Director to change the renewal system; the current official licensing page announces the birth-month renewal transition effective June 16, 2024.
Transition ce
The current official Board licensing page states a one-time fifty-percent CE allowance for license terms shorter than two years during the birth-month transition; the two LGBTQ hours and ten-percent public-health-priority requirement remain.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional Massage Therapist License

Provisional reciprocity license under 17 DCMR § 4014.5, pending receipt of proof of licensure; maximum ninety days.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy / DC Health · Application information

Provisional licensure by reciprocity pending proof

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Complete the online application and pay required fees; supply photograph, government photo identification, demographic information, Social Security number or sworn affidavit and supporting identification, and applicable name-change documents under the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Certification substitution
The August 12, 2019 checklist states that the BCTMB credential is not accepted in lieu of NCETMB. Its reference to NCCA does not itself name an examination; BCETMB adoption is not established by that wording.
Cpr and first aid
Current CPR and first-aid certification; CPR training must be in a live classroom and certifications maintained without interruption under §§ 7502.8(d) and 7512.3-7512.4.
Criminal and disciplinary history
Meet D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1),(6),(7); provide a criminal background check and explanations and records for affirmative screening responses.
Discontinued examination
The rules and 2019 checklist name NCETMB. FSMTB reports that NCBTMB ceased offering licensure examinations effective February 1, 2015. A previously earned NCETMB score is prior evidence to be evaluated by the Board, rather than a currently offered exam leaf.
Duration
The Board may grant a provisional license for no more than ninety days under § 4014.5.
Education
An approved or equivalently accredited school program, graduation certificate and official transcript; at least 500 in-class hours over at least six months, including at least 100 hours of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and at least three hours of professional ethics; correspondence and online courses are not recognized under §§ 7502.1-7502.8.
Exam waiver
D.C. Code § 3-1205.06(e)(1) permits the Board, in its discretion, to waive examination requirements for an applicant meeting § 3-1205.07. This permission does not itself exercise a waiver; the 2025 checklist for examination and endorsement requests certified scores.
Minimum age
At least 18 years of age under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Older qualification
If applying more than two years after completing education and examination requirements, demonstrate fifty supervised clinical hours, including twenty-five client-contact hours within the preceding four months, under § 7502.3.
Open approved alternatives
Section 7504.1 permits other NCCA- or FSMTB-certified examinations approved at Board discretion. This unnamed remainder is a condition requiring Board approval; it does not identify an additional registered exam.
Passing score
Pass an approved examination before the Board considers the application; have the examining body send certified scores under §§ 7504.2-7504.3 and item 8 of the May 20, 2025 checklist.
Pending document
All subtitle requirements must be met except receipt of the required proof of the other credential; the Board must independently verify good standing by telephone inquiry or other means under § 4014.5.
Reciprocity
Hold a license, registration or certification in good standing under substantially equivalent standards in a jurisdiction that admits D.C. licensees in a like manner; provide evidence of reciprocal treatment under § 4014.1.
Verification
Provide certified proof of the existing credential and good standing under § 4014.1.

Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination

Provider
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards; administered at Pearson VUE (Pearson Professional Centers) test centers
Format
Computer-based, fixed-length computer-adaptive test (CAT) of multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer; offered in English and Spanish and administered year-round; results reported as PASS or FAIL, with a diagnostic report by content area for failing candidates
Exam questions
100 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
110 minutes for 100 questions within a two-hour (120-minute) appointment
Passing score
Criterion-referenced passing standard adopted by the FSMTB Board of Directors; results reported as PASS or FAIL
Exam fee
$265 MBLEx application fee
Examination outline
  • Anatomy & Physiology (11%)
    • A. System structure — Cardiovascular
    • A. System structure — Digestive
    • A. System structure — Endocrine
    • A. System structure — Integumentary
    • A. System structure — Lymphatic & Immune
    • A. System structure — Musculoskeletal
    • A. System structure — Nervous
    • A. System structure — Reproduction
    • A. System structure — Respiratory
    • A. System structure — Sensory
    • A. System structure — Urinary
    • B. System function — Cardiovascular
    • B. System function — Digestion
    • B. System function — Endocrine
    • B. System function — Integumentary
    • B. System function — Lymphatic & Immune
    • B. System function — Musculoskeletal
    • B. System function — Nervous
    • B. System function — Reproduction
    • B. System function — Respiratory
    • B. System function — Sensory
    • B. System function — Urinary
    • C. Tissue injury and repair
    • D. Concepts of energetic anatomy
  • Kinesiology (12%)
    • A. Skeletal muscle components & characteristics
    • B. Concepts of skeletal muscle contractions
    • C. Proprioceptors
    • D. Skeletal muscle locations, attachments (origins, insertions), & actions
    • E. Joint structure and function
    • F. Range of motion — Active
    • F. Range of motion — Passive
    • F. Range of motion — Resisted
  • Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations (14%)
    • A. Overview of Pathologies
    • B. Contraindications — Site specific
    • B. Contraindications — Pathology related
    • B. Contraindications — Special populations
    • B. Contraindications — Tools
    • B. Contraindications — Special applications
    • C. Areas of caution
    • D. Special populations
    • E. Classes of medications
  • Benefits and Effects of Soft Tissue Manipulation (15%)
    • A. Physiological effects of soft tissue manipulation
    • B. Psychological effects of soft tissue manipulation
    • C. Effects of soft tissue manipulation for specific client populations
    • D. Soft tissue techniques — Types of strokes
    • D. Soft tissue techniques — Sequence of application
    • E. Hot/cold applications
    • F. Overview of massage/bodywork modalities
  • Client Assessment, Reassessment & Treatment Planning (17%)
    • A. Organization of a massage/bodywork session
    • B. Client consultation and evaluation — Verbal intake
    • B. Client consultation and evaluation — Health history form
    • C. Written data collection
    • D. Visual assessment — General
    • D. Visual assessment — Postural
    • D. Visual assessment — Gait
    • E. Palpation assessment
    • F. Range of motion assessment
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Ability to rule out contraindications
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Client treatment goal setting
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Evaluation of response to previous treatment
    • G. Clinical reasoning — Formulation of treatment strategy
  • Ethics, Boundaries, Laws, Regulations (16%)
    • A. Ethical behavior
    • B. Professional boundaries
    • C. Code of ethics violations
    • D. The therapeutic relationship
    • E. Dual relationships
    • F. Sexual misconduct
    • G. Massage/bodywork-related laws and regulations
    • H. Scope of practice
    • I. Professional communication
    • J. Confidentiality
    • K. Principles
  • Guidelines for Professional Practice (15%)
    • A. Proper and safe use of equipment and supplies
    • B. Practitioner hygiene
    • C. Sanitation and cleanliness
    • D. Safety practices — Facilities
    • D. Safety practices — Practitioner safety
    • D. Safety practices — Client safety
    • E. Practitioner care — Body mechanics
    • E. Practitioner care — Personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • E. Practitioner care — Self-care
    • E. Practitioner care — Injury prevention
    • F. Draping — Safe and appropriate
    • F. Draping — Communication
    • G. Business Practices — Business planning
    • G. Business Practices — Strategic planning
    • G. Business Practices — Office management
    • G. Business Practices — Marketing
    • G. Business Practices — Hiring/Interviewing
    • G. Business Practices — Documentation & Records — Client records
    • G. Business Practices — Documentation & Records — Business records
    • H. Healthcare and business terminology
Examination sources