WA DC Massage Licensing

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA started licensing massage schools in 1999 through the Department of Health, Health Professional Licensing Administration Board of Massage Therapy The Definition of Massage as listed in their regulations

"Massage Techniques – means any touching or pressure with the intent of providing healing or therapeutic benefits through soft tissue manipulation. Massage techniques do not include the incidental use of soft tissue manipulation while primarily engaging in another technique or modality in which a practitioner is qualified. Incidental use refers to soft tissue manipulation performed as a part of movement re-education, energy healing or other modality in which the soft tissue manipulation is not the central aim of the treatment, but is performed occasionally to facilitate the non-massage therapy practice. If the practice of soft tissue manipulation is limited only to the feet and hands, it shall not be considered a massage technique. Massage techniques may be performed in any postural position including seated massage and techniques performed on clothed clients."

They require 500 hours of education - 100 of which must be in anatomy and physiology. They do not accept distance learning institutions. They use the NCETMB.

There are approximately 600 therapists in the WA.DC area.

If you have more information on what it is like to practice massage in WA DC, please let me know so I can post it here.

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