Massage Continuing Education Washington DC
Up to 3 hours may count under the D.C. Board’s self-care limit. We’re asking the Board to review the course now.
Massage CE in Washington, D.C.: Key Facts
| Licensing board | DC Board of Massage Therapy, DC Health |
|---|---|
| CE hours required | 14 hours, per the regulation as published by DC Health in October 2017. Not required for a first renewal. |
| Required split | 3 hours ethics, 9 hours massage-related (6 hands-on in a live classroom), 2 hours LGBTQ continuing education. |
| NCBTMB Approved Provider hours | Up to 3 hours may count under the Board’s self-care limit. Board review requested October 2026. Verify before attending. |
| Course hours | 24 CE hours, live and in person |
| Provider | Liquid Breathwork, NCBTMB Approved Provider #1003401 |
| City and dates | Washington, D.C., May 21-23, 2027. Venue still to be set. |
Liquid Breathwork is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider.
Rules last checked: October 2026. Sources: DC Health massage therapy licensing, 17 DCMR chapter 75, DC Health copy dated October 6, 2017 (PDF), Board Policy Statement 16-001 (PDF).
Does this count toward your Washington, D.C. license renewal?
Up to 3 hours may count. We’re asking the Board to review the course now.
The DC Board of Massage Therapy decides which continuing education it accepts, and its regulation (17 DCMR 7507.5) puts the burden on you to verify a program with the Board before you attend.
A Board policy statement from 2016 says a licensee may complete an NCBTMB-approved course taught by an NCBTMB-approved provider and the course may still not be granted CE credit by the Board. The same policy limits self-care courses such as yoga, tai chi and meditation to three hours of credit.
So up to 3 hours may count under that self-care limit. We are asking the D.C. Board of Massage Therapy to review this course now. Until then, confirm with the Board before you rely on any of these hours.
Who the 24 CE Hours Are For
Board Certified therapistsNCBTMB requires 24 CEs from an Approved Provider every two years.
Therapists licensed elsewhereIn a state that accepts NCBTMB Approved Provider hours. Your board decides.
Washington, D.C. Course Date
Washington, D.C. Weekend
May 21-23
Venue still to be set. Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case.
It runs on the same weekend as the Breathwork certification in Washington, D.C. training, with the same two instructors. All dates are on the main Breathwork certification page. Arlington and Alexandria are across the river, Bethesda and Silver Spring are just over the line, and Baltimore is a train ride away. If your license is from Maryland or Virginia, ask that state's board. We have not reviewed those rules.
What You Learn in 24 Hours
- An extra layer of clinical safety. Shelby is a Registered Nurse, so client screening gets a clinician’s eye.
- Ten breathing techniques for client use. The physiological sigh, breath holds and box breathing among them.
- Ethical hands-on touch. Fully clothed, with consent, within your scope of practice.
- A 6-phase session structure. Client screening, informed consent and supervised practice.
You receive a Certificate of Completion documenting 24 CE hours. Full attendance is required, with no partial credit. See the full schedule and course policies.
Who Teaches the Course
Ryan McBurney and Shelby Von Oepen, RN, teach the course together, and both teach every part of it. Shelby’s nursing background adds a layer of clinical safety. They co-founded Liquid Breathwork, a Breathwork practice based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Book a Call with Ryan & Shelby
Washington, D.C. Massage CE Questions
How many CE hours do massage therapists need in Washington, D.C.?
14 hours, according to the DC Health copy of the regulation dated October 2017, including 3 in professional ethics and 6 hands-on in a live classroom. Check with the Board for the current rule.
Does Washington, D.C. accept NCBTMB approved continuing education?
Up to 3 hours may count. The Board’s Policy Statement 16-001 caps self-care courses such as yoga, tai chi and meditation at 3 hours, and says even an NCBTMB-approved course may not be granted CE credit. We are asking the D.C. Board of Massage Therapy to review this course now.
Who has to check whether a course is accepted in D.C.?
You do. The regulation says an applicant has the burden of verifying whether a program is approved by the Board before attending it.
Do I need CE for my first D.C. renewal?
No, according to the regulation. It says the requirement does not apply to applicants for initial licensure or to the first renewal of a license.
Where can I find massage continuing education classes in Washington, D.C.?
Liquid Breathwork is bringing a live, in-person 24 CE hour course to Washington, D.C. on May 21-23, 2027. The venue is still to be set, so join the wait list and we will send it to you first.
More about the course: Breathwork continuing education for massage therapists.