Education Requirement

Virginia Continuing Education Requirements 

 

18VAC90-50-75. Continuing Competency Requirements

 

A. In order to renew a certificate biennially, a certified 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 an NCBTMB-approved provider and may include seminars, workshops, home study courses, and continuing education courses.

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 certification 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 certificate.

D. The board shall periodically conduct a random audit of certificate holders 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 certificate holder 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 certificate holder, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.