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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 90. Board of Nursing
Chapter 50. Regulations Governing the Licensure of Massage Therapists
12/30/2024

18VAC90-50-75. Continuing competency requirements.

A. In order to renew a license biennially, a licensed massage therapist shall:

1. Hold current certification by the NCBTMB; or

2. Complete at least 24 hours of continuing education or learning activities with at least one hour in professional ethics. Hours chosen shall be those that enhance and expand the skills and knowledge related to the clinical practice of massage therapy and may be distributed as follows:

a. A minimum of 12 of the 24 hours shall be in activities or courses provided by one of the following providers and may include seminars, workshops, home study courses, and continuing education courses:

(1) NCBTMB;

(2) Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards;

(3) American Massage Therapy Association;

(4) Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals;

(5) Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation;

(6) A nationally or regionally accredited school or program of massage therapy; or

(7) A school of massage therapy approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

b. No more than 12 of the 24 hours may be activities or courses that may include consultation, independent reading or research, preparation for a presentation, a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or other such experiences that promote continued learning.

B. A massage therapist shall be exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure in Virginia.

C. The massage therapist shall retain in his records the completed form with all supporting documentation for a period of four years following the renewal of an active license.

D. The board shall periodically conduct a random audit of licensees to determine compliance. The persons selected for the audit shall provide evidence of current NCBTMB certification or the completed continued competency form provided by the board and all supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.

E. Failure to comply with these requirements may subject the massage therapist to disciplinary action by the board.

F. The board may grant an extension of the deadline for continuing competency requirements, for up to one year, for good cause shown upon a written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date.

G. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3005 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 24, eff. September 17, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 7, eff. January 15, 2003; Errata, 19:8 VA.R. 1273 December 30, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 4, eff. December 11, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 26, eff. September 21, 2016; Volume 34, Issue 9, eff. January 24, 2018.

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