1. A massage therapy education program must
provide at least 650 hours of instruction in the following subjects:
(a) Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology -
250 hours. This content shall include anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and
palpation techniques, as well as related pathology and medical terminology, and
cautions and contraindications, with a minimum of 40 hours of instruction in
pathologies.
(b) Massage Theory and
Practice - 200 hours. This content shall include massage theory and principles,
practical massage and bodywork applications, special populations and
accommodations, allied modalities, and hands on practice in a classroom
setting.
(c) Business and Ethics -
85 hours. This content shall include professional ethics, communications,
boundaries, business practices and development, interpersonal skills, and
career planning, with a minimum of 45 hours of instruction in professional
ethics.
(d) Laws - 15 hours. This
content shall include both State and Federal laws and regulations, HIPAA and
privacy issues, with a minimum of 5 hours of instruction in State-specific laws
and regulations.
(e) Student
Clinics - 100 hours. A minimum of 75 hours of student clinical time must be
spent on actual full-body massage for the public that takes place on-site and
under the supervision of a licensed massage therapy supervisor. Student clinics
must include instruction in massage, assessment and intake, documentation, room
preparation, and clerical work relevant to the session.
(1) Students are not eligible to participate
in Student Clinics until they have completed a minimum of at least 250 hours of
coursework distributed across the subjects of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology,
practical massage and bodywork applications, professional ethics, and
boundaries.
Schools shall have up to one year from the effective date of this
regulation to implement the hours and curriculum content changes. Students
graduated from or enrolled in a massage therapy program prior to that date may
qualify for licensure by meeting either the education licensing requirements in
this regulation, or the education licensing requirements in effect prior to the
regulation's effective date.
2. Documentation of Completion of a Massage
Therapy Education Program School.
A license applicant must provide to the Board an affidavit from
the school, on a Board-approved form, documenting the successful completion of
the required subjects and hours of instruction in the Board-prescribed course
of study in massage therapy. The Board may also request that an official
transcript from the school be submitted to the Board, if necessary to determine
whether the applicant has successfully completed a course of study in massage
therapy which meets these minimum standards for training and
curriculum.