To apply to the massage program and pay related fees, you must:

• Be admitted to WCC
• Have an active ctcLink number
• Have activated your student network account

You must be at least 18 years old by the start of massage program classes to be accepted into the massage therapist program.

Apply to WCC online, or visit Orca Central for assistance, or request a WCC application by email at outreachadmissions@whatcom.edu. Once you receive your ctcLink number, proceed to Step 2.

There are several items you will need to prepare in advance to submit with your application:

• Three (3) completed student recommendation forms
• Three (3) completed experience verification forms
• Completed health verification form
• Personal statement addressing questions found here
• Pay the $25 application fee and the $11 Washington State Patrol background check fee

Two non-refundable fees (a $25 application fee and an $11 background check fee) are required to apply to the massage therapist program. Your application will not be processed until these fees have been received. You must pay the fees on or before the application deadline. 

Application fee and background check payment instructions

You may pay the fees in one of three ways.

1. By mailing a check with this completed application fee payment form to the Whatcom Business Office. Write your ctcLink number and "massage program" in the memo line of your check. Mail one check for $36 ($25 application fee and $11 background check) made payable to "Whatcom Community College."

WCC Business Office
Attn: Massage Program Application Fee
Laidlaw Center
237 W. Kellogg Road
Bellingham WA 98226

2. In person at the WCC Cashier's window, located in the Laidlaw Center building.
3. Over the phone with a credit card at (360) 383-3363. You must provide your ctcLink number.

Click here for service hours (Service Area > Cashier's Office)

Background check information

Clinical placements, employment, and licensure in a healthcare field often require a background check. WCC will conduct a Washington State Patrol background check on massage therapist applicants. Results of the background check will be given to the massage therapist faculty lead. Students with a negative finding will be required to meet with the faculty lead prior to admittance to discuss possible options. Background check results for program applicants are considered valid for a period of six months only. Entrance and acceptance into the program are contingent upon background checks.

Complete the Massage Therapist program online application. Use your student network account (myWCC) username and password. If needed, contact Luanne Peel at lpeel@whatcom.edu for an electronic fillable pdf.

All materials must be received by the WCC Massage Therapist program by the deadline, including:

• Completed application with Experience/Education Summary
• Three (3) completed student recommendation forms
• Three (3) completed experience verification forms
• Completed health verification form
• Personal statement addressing questions found here
• Attestation that you have paid the $25 application fee and the $11 Washington State Patrol background check fee, from the WCC Business Office

If you have credits from another college that may apply to the massage therapist certificate, you should have official transcripts sent to Whatcom for evaluation.