The State of Virginia Massage Therapist Requirements
Throughout the 42,774 square miles of the Old Dominion, approximately 7,123 massage therapists work to help the more than 8.5 million people in their state find relief from pain, rehabilitation from injuries, and comfort in the midst of stress and anxiety.
With 450,201 people in Virginia Beach, 244,601 people in Norfolk, and 239,982 people in Chesapeake, massage therapists who work in Virginia can find an engaged environment to open, continue, or join a massage therapy business.
How Do I Become A Massage Therapist in Virginia?
If you’re ready to move into your career as a massage therapist in Virginia, you must register with the Virginia Board of Nursing. The registration fee is $140. Once you are registered, you must receive licensure by the Board. If you do not register, you will be working illegally and can receive a fine.
In order to receive this license, you must complete a minimum of 500 hours from an approved massage therapy program.
You can find application request forms on their website.
Where Can I Study?
Below are two approved schools in Virginia to help you get started on what you may be looking for in a massage therapy education.
- Advanced Fuller School of Massage Therapy: Viewing massage therapy as “the cornerstone in the preventive health care philosophy and a highly valuable tool in the recovery from the loss of good health,” this school believes in the value of safe practices and professional integrity. The school won “Best of the Beach 10 years in a row” and “The Best Place to get a Massage in Hampton Roads.”
- Virginia School of Massage: Proving high quality massage therapy education to the Charlottesville community for more than 20 years, this school helps students prepare for a fulfilling and rewarding career as massage therapist. Accredited by the ACCSC and the COMTA, students at this school will provide more than 200,000 massages per year in the student clinics.
Other education options include Centura College and Miller-Motte Technical College.
How Much Will I Earn?
The average annual wage of a massage therapist in Virginia was $52,903 in 2021. This is similar to other state earnings, with the average national salary at $53,222. Massage therapists who work in Washington-Arlington have the opportunity to earn a higher salary, with the average for this city at $59,247 annually.