Washington Legislative and Policy Developments

Washington

Dept of Health: Massage Therapist
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
Phone: 360-236-4700
Fax: 360-236-4818
Email: hpqa.csc@doh.wa.gov

> Website

Title: Licensed Massage Therapist
Requirement: 625 hours and passing the MBLEx or NCBTMB
Renewal: 24 hours/2 years

Regulation Type: 
State License

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Washington COVID-19 Update—PPE Supplies Available from the State

Washington’s personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile is available to help support state agencies, counties, and other partners to meet COVID-19 PPE requests through October 31, 2021. Health-care providers and businesses are encouraged to order PPE to help return the state’s PPE stockpile back to pre-COVID levels before it expires.

Washington Issues a New COVID-19 Guidance Document

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries issued new guidance addressing how to verify employee vaccination status, how to protect unvaccinated staff, and when employees need to wear masks. Per the new guidance, individuals who work in the health-care industry, such as massage therapists, must continue to wear a mask while at work.

Washington Extends Continuing Education Policy and Adopts New Massage Therapy Rules

To address the ongoing difficulty in obtaining hands-on continuing education during COVID-19, the Washington Board of Massage issued Policy Number BOM 20-01.2 that pushes the date back for massage therapists to meet CE requirements through December 31, 2021. The Board also adopted new massage therapy rules effective September 1, 2021.

Washington Adopts New Massage Therapy Rules

The Washington Board of Massage revised the Washington Administrative Code in August 2020. The rules are now final and are effective September 1, 2021. The rules amend definitions, the out-of-state application process, transfer programs, school approval, training hours, faculty, continuing education, standards of practice, and recordkeeping. They also create a new section on gluteal cleft and perineum massage.

Washington Increases Massage Therapy Training Hours to 625

The Washington Board of Massage revised the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) in August 2020. The new rules increase the minimum number of education and training hours from 500 to 625 hours. The new rules are effective September 1, 2021.

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