Authority: IC 25-21.8-2-9; IC 25-21.8-3-1

Affected: IC 25-21.8

Sec. 3. (a) Prior to providing massage therapy, the license holder shall obtain the following from the client:

1. (1) Information about the reasons and expectations for the massage therapy session.
2. (2) Health history and current health status to determine the indications and contraindications for the application of massage therapy.
3. (3) Voluntary and informed consent, either oral, written, or electronic, for the agreed upon massage therapy services.
4. (4) Consent of a parent or guardian for any massage therapy services to be provided to a client less than eighteen (18) years of age.

(b) The license holder shall do the following:

1. (1) Request from the client only information that is relevant to the professional client-massage therapist relationship.
2. (2) Display a fee schedule or discuss fees and payment with the client prior to providing massage therapy services.

3. (3) Maintain documentation for each massage therapy session, when practicable, including the following:

   1. (A) The date of service.
   2. (B) Client assessment.
   3. (C) Nature of treatment and services provided.
   4. (D) Treatment plan, when applicable.
4. (4) Refer the client to a licensed health care professional when appropriate.
5. (5) Respect the client's right to refuse, modify, or terminate services at any point, regardless of the client's prior consent.

(c) The license holder shall not do the following:

1. (1) Massage the breasts of a female client unless the license holder has:

   1. (A) training in techniques related to therapeutic massage of mammary tissue; and
   2. (B) first obtained informed written or electronic consent for the treatment from the client.

2. (2) Perform pregnancy massage unless the license holder has:

   1. (A) training in techniques related to pregnancy or prenatal massage; and
   2. (B) first obtained informed written or electronic consent for the treatment from the client.

3. (3) Perform therapies done in the mouth or ears unless the license holder has:

   1. (A) training in techniques related to therapeutic massage of the interior of the mouth or ears; and
   2. (B) first obtained informed written or electronic consent for the treatment from the client.

(State Board of Massage Therapy; 847 IAC 1-2-3; filed Jan 13, 2009, 11:54 a.m.: 20090211-IR-847080351FRA; readopted filed Nov 20, 2015, 3:30 p.m.: 20151216-IR-847150225RFA; readopted filed Nov 5, 2021, 8:41 a.m.: 20211201-IR- 847210378RFA; filed Jun 13, 2022, 9:49 a.m.: 20220713-IR-847210507FRA; readopted filed Mar 8, 2024, 3:15 p.m.: 20240403-IR-847230832RFA)