Title 54.1. Professions and Occupations
Chapter 30. Nursing
Article 5. Licensure of Massage Therapists.
§ 54.1-3029. Qualifications for a licensed massage therapist.A. In order to be licensed as a massage therapist, the applicant shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:
1. Is at least 18 years old;
2. Has successfully completed a massage therapy educational program that required a minimum of 500 hours of training. The massage therapy educational program shall be certified or approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia or an agency in another state, the District of Columbia, or a United States territory that approves educational programs, notwithstanding the provisions of § 23.1-226;
3. Has passed the Licensing Examination of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards or an examination deemed acceptable to the Board of Nursing; and
4. Has not committed any acts or omissions that would be grounds for disciplinary action or denial of licensure as set forth in this chapter.
B. The Board may issue a provisional license to an applicant prior to passing the Licensing Examination of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards for such time and in such manner as prescribed by the Board. No more than one provisional license shall be issued to any applicant.
C. The Board may license without examination any applicant who is licensed as a massage therapist in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or another country, and, in the opinion of the Board, meets the requirements for licensed massage therapists in the Commonwealth.
D. An applicant who completed a massage therapy educational program in a foreign country may apply for licensure as a massage therapist upon submission of evidence, satisfactory to the Board, that the applicant:
1. Is at least 18 years old;
2. Has successfully completed a massage therapy educational program in a foreign country that is comparable to a massage therapy educational program required for licensure by the Board as demonstrated by submission of evidence of comparability and equivalency provided by an agency that evaluates credentials for persons who have studied outside the United States;
3. Has passed a Board-approved English language proficiency examination; and
4. Has not committed any acts or omissions that would be grounds for disciplinary action or denial of licensure as set forth in this chapter.
The Board shall issue a license to an applicant who meets the requirements in this subsection upon submission by the applicant of evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has completed an English version of the Licensing Examination of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards or a comparable examination deemed acceptable to the Board.
1996, c. 166; 1997, c. 599; 2004, c. 991; 2012, c. 764; 2016, c. 324; 2020, c. 727.
§ 54.1-3029.1. Advisory Board on Massage Therapy.The Advisory Board on Massage Therapy shall assist the Board in carrying out the provisions of this chapter regarding the qualifications, examination, registration, regulation, and standards of professional conduct of massage therapists as described in § 54.1-3029. The Advisory Board shall also assist in such other matters relating to the practice of massage therapy as the Board may require.
The Advisory Board on Massage Therapy shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Governor for four-year terms as follows: three members shall be licensed massage therapists who have practiced in the Commonwealth for not less than three years prior to their appointment, one shall be an administrator or faculty member of a nationally accredited school of massage therapy, and one shall be a citizen member appointed from the Commonwealth at large.
The Advisory Board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. The Advisory Board shall meet at least once a year and may hold additional meetings as necessary to perform its duties. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.
Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term. No person shall be eligible to serve on the Advisory Board for more than two successive terms.
