PURPOSE: This rule outlines the requirements for licensure as a massage therapist including the grandfathering provisions and temporary two (2)-year license.

1. (1) A person who has completed massage therapy studies consisting of at least five hundred (500) clock hours of supervised instruction in a Coordinating Board of Higher Education (CBHE) certified school, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved vocational program or school, or school, college, university, or other institution of higher learning in the United States accredited by a regional accrediting commission recognized by the United States Department of Education or an equivalent approving body for out-of-state applicants, shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall submit or cause to be submitted:

   1. (A) A completed notarized application and the accompanying application fee;
   2. (B) Two (2) sets of fingerprints and the criminal background check fee;

   3. (C) An official final transcript showing successful completion of the program to be submitted directly to the board office from the massage therapy program which includes:

      1. 1. The applicant’s name;
      2. 2. Date of enrollment;
      3. 3. Date of completion; and
      4. 4. Documentation that the massage ther-

apy program consisted of at least five hundred (500) clock hours of supervised instruction which consisted of:

1. A. Three hundred (300) clock hours

dedicated to massage theory and practice techniques provided by an instructor(s) who has practiced professionally for at least two (2) years and who is licensed or meets the qualifications for licensure as a massage therapist in the state of Missouri;

1. B. One hundred (100) clock hours

dedicated to the study of anatomy and physiology provided by an instructor(s) who holds a bachelor’s degree/minor in a healthcare related field including but not limited to the fields of physical therapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, medical doctor, physician assistant, nursing, etc. or a bachelor’s degree/ minor in a field related to anatomy and physiology including but not limited to biology, chemistry, health, microbiology, medicine, etc.;

1. C. Fifty (50) clock hours dedicated to

business practice, professional ethics, hygiene and massage law in the state of Missouri provided by an instructor who demonstrates documentable experience/education in a related field; and

1. D. Fifty (50) clock hours dedicated to

ancillary therapies provided by an instructor(s) who demonstrates documented experience/education in a related field. The fifty (50) clock hours shall include but not be limited to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid which shall be provided by an instructor who holds the respective instructor certification;

1. (D) Evidence of passing an examination from one of the following:

   1. 1. The National Certification Board of

Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); or

1. 2. The National Certification Commis-

sion for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM); or

1. 3. An examination deemed appropriate

by the board; and

1. (E) An applicant completing a massage therapy program consisting of less than five hundred (500) hours of supervised instruction from a Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education (CBHE) approved school, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved vocational program or school, college, university, or other institution of higher learning in the United States accredited by a regional accrediting commission recognized by the United States Department of Education or an equivalent approving agency for out-of-state schools, or who has completed a massage therapy program deficient in clock hours according to 4 CSR 197-2.010(1)(C)4.A.–D. may complete deficiencies at either a Missouri CBHE approved school, DESE approved vocational program, mentorship approved by the board, or school, college, university, or other institution of higher learning in the United States accredited by a regional accrediting commission recognized by the United States Department of Education, or an out-of-state school approved by an agency equivalent to CBHE.

1. (2) A person who has completed five hundred
2. (500) clock hours in an apprenticeship with a certified mentor and has successfully passed an examination approved by the board shall 20 CSR 2197-2

be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall submit or cause to be submitted:

1. (A) A completed notarized application and the accompanying application fee;
2. (B) Two (2) sets of fingerprints and the criminal background fee;

3. (C) Official evidence of completing five hundred (500) clock hours of massage therapy training in an apprenticeship with a certified mentor which includes:

   1. 1. The applicant name;
   2. 2. Date of enrollment;
   3. 3. Date of completion;
   4. 4. Documentation that the mentorship

program consisted of at least five hundred (500) clock hours of supervised instruction which consisted of:

1. A. Three hundred (300) clock hours

dedicated to massage theory and practice techniques provided directly by the certified mentor;

1. B. One hundred (100) clock hours

dedicated to the study of anatomy and physiology provided by an instructor(s) who holds a bachelor’s degree/minor in a healthcare related field including but not limited to the fields of physical therapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, medical doctor, physician assistant, nursing, etc. or a bachelor’s degree/minor in a field related to anatomy and physiology including but not limited to biology, chemistry, health, microbiology, medicine, etc.;

1. C. Fifty (50) clock hours dedicated to

business practice, professional ethics, hygiene and massage law in the state of Missouri provided by an instructor(s) who demonstrates documented experience/education in a related field; and

1. D. Fifty (50) clock hours dedicated to

ancillary therapies provided by an instructor(s) who demonstrates documented experience/education in a related field. The fifty (50) clock hours shall include but not be limited to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid which shall be provided by an instructor who holds the respective instructor certification; and

1. (D) Evidence of passing a statistically valid examination from one of the following:

   1. 1. NCBTMB; or
   2. 2. NCCAOM; or
   3. 3. An examination deemed appropriate

by the board.

1. (3) Grandfathering Provisions.

   1. (A) A person who has passed a statistically valid examination on therapeutic massage and bodywork prior to August 28, 1999 and applies for such license prior to December 31, 2000 shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall submit— FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

      1. 1. A completed notarized application

and the accompanying application fee;

1. 2. Two (2) sets of fingerprints and the

criminal background check fee; and

1. 3. Evidence of passing a statistically

valid examination from one of the following:

1. A. NCBTMB; or
2. B. NCCAOM.

3. (B) A person who has been in the practice of massage therapy for at least ten (10) years prior to August 28, 1999 and applies for such license prior to December 31, 2000 shall submit or cause to be submitted:

   1. 1. A completed notarized application

and the accompanying application fee;

1. 2. Two (2) sets of fingerprints and the

criminal background check fee;

1. 3. Evidence documenting at least ten

1. (10) years of massage therapy practice (minimum of one hundred fifty (150) massage hours per year practiced between August 28, 1984 to August 28, 1999) which may include but not be limited to a combination of the following:

   1. A. Income tax forms;
   2. B. Professional massage therapy asso-

ciation membership(s);

1. C. Certificates of continuing educa-

tion in massage therapy;

1. D. Business license(s);
2. E. Office rent or lease agreement(s);
3. F. Yellow page advertisements with

dates;

1. G. Printed advertisements with dates;
2. H. Professional insurance;
3. I. Cancelled checks related to the

massage therapy practice which shall include but not be limited to payment for rent, services rendered and/or massage therapy supplies;

1. J. Verifiable letter(s) from employ-

er(s);

1. K. Verifiable letter(s) of referral for

massage therapy services from a licensed healthcare professional;

1. L. Verifiable letters of confirmation

from clients of massage therapy experience;

1. M. Work log or client records con-

sisting of client’s name, address and/or telephone number, appointment date, and time period worked on client.

1. (C) A person who has been in the practice of a massage therapy for at least three (3) years prior to August 28, 1999, has completed at least one hundred (100) clock hours of formal training in massage and applies for such license prior to December 31, 2000 shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall submit or cause to be submitted:

   1. 1. A completed notarized application

and the accompanying application fee;

1. 2. Two (2) sets of fingerprints and the

criminal background check fee;

1. 3. Evidence documenting at least three

1. (3) years massage therapy practice (minimum of one hundred fifty (150) massage hours per year practiced between August 28, 1994 to August 28, 1999) which may include but not be limited to a combination of the following:

   1. A. Income tax forms;
   2. B. Professional massage therapy asso-

ciation membership(s);

1. C. Certificates of continuing educa-

tion in massage therapy;

1. D. Business license(s);
2. E. Office rent or lease agreement(s);
3. F. Yellow page advertisements with

dates;

1. G. Printed advertisements with dates;
2. H. Professional insurance;
3. I. Cancelled checks related to the

massage therapy practice which shall include but not be limited to payment for rent, services rendered and/or massage therapy supplies;

1. J. Verifiable letter(s) from employ-

er(s);

1. K. Verifiable letter(s) of referral for

massage therapy services from a licensed healthcare professional;

1. L. Verifiable letters of confirmation

from clients of massage therapy experience; or

1. M. Work log or client records con-

sisting of client’s name, address and/or telephone number, appointment date, and time period worked on client; and

1. 4. Evidence of at least one hundred

1. (100) clock hours of formal massage therapy training approved by the board which shall include any combination of the following:

   1. A. Classroom and directly supervised

student clinical massage therapy practice hours;

1. B. Continuing education credits in

massage therapy; or

1. C. Massage therapy seminar and/or

workshop attendance.

1. (4) Temporary Two (2)-Year License.

   1. (A) A person who has practiced less than three (3) years prior to August 28, 1999 and has at least one hundred (100) clock hours of training prior to December 31, 2000 and applies for a temporary two (2)-year license prior to December 31, 2000 shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall submit or cause to be submitted:

      1. 1. A completed notarized application

and the accompanying application fee;

1. 2. Two (2) sets of fingerprints and the

criminal background check fee;

1. 3. Evidence documenting at least seven-

ty-five (75) massage hours over a minimum of a six (6)-month period with no less than eight (8) hours in each single month of massage therapy practice prior to August 28, 1999 which may include but not be limited to a combination of the following:

1. A. Income tax forms;
2. B. Professional massage therapy asso-

ciation membership(s);

1. C. Certificates of continuing educa-

tion in massage therapy;

1. D. Business license(s);
2. E. Office rent or lease agreement(s);
3. F. Yellow page advertisements with

dates;

1. G. Printed advertisements with dates;
2. H. Professional insurance;
3. I. Cancelled checks related to the

massage therapy practice which shall include but not be limited to payment for rent, services rendered and/or massage therapy supplies;

1. J. Verifiable letter(s) from employ-

er(s);

1. K. Verifiable letter(s) of referral for

massage therapy services from a licensed healthcare professional;

1. L. Verifiable letters of confirmation

from clients of massage therapy experience; or

1. M. Work log or client records con-

sisting of client’s name, address and/or telephone number, appointment date, and time period worked on client.

1. 4. Evidence of at least one hundred

1. (100) clock hours of formal massage therapy training approved by the board which shall include any combination of the following:

   1. A. Classroom and directly supervised

student clinical massage therapy practice hours;

1. B. Continuing education credits in

massage therapy; or

1. C. Massage therapy seminar and/or

workshop attendance.

1. (B) A person who has practiced at least three (3) years prior to August 28, 1999 and has less than one hundred (100) clock hours of training prior to December 31, 2000 and applies for a temporary two (2)-year license prior to December 31, 2000 shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall submit or cause to be submitted:

   1. 1. A completed notarized application

and the accompanying application fee;

1. 2. Two (2) sets of fingerprints and the

criminal background check fee;

1. 3. Evidence documenting at least three

1. (3) years massage therapy practice (minimum of one hundred fifty (150) massage hours per year practiced between August 28, 1994 to August 28, 1999) which may include but not be limited to a combination of the following:

   1. A. Income tax forms; B.Professional massage therapy asso-

ciation membership(s);

1. C. Certificates of continuing educa-

tion in massage therapy;

1. D. Business license(s);
2. E. Office rent or lease agreement(s);
3. F. Yellow page advertisements with

dates;

1. G. Printed advertisements with dates;
2. H. Professional insurance;
3. I. Cancelled checks related to the

massage therapy practice which shall include but not be limited to payment for rent, services rendered and/or massage therapy supplies;

1. J. Verifiable letter(s) from employ-

er(s);

1. K. Verifiable letter(s) of referral for

massage therapy services from a licensed healthcare professional;

1. L. Verifiable letters of confirmation

from clients of massage therapy experience; or

1. M. Work log or client records con-

sisting of client’s name, address and/or telephone number, appointment date, and time period worked on client; and

1. 4. Evidence of at least twenty-five (25)

clock hours of formal massage therapy training approved by the board which shall include any combination of the following:

1. A. Classroom and directly supervised

student clinical massage therapy practice hours;

1. B. Continuing education credits in

massage therapy; or

1. C. Massage therapy seminar and/or

workshop attendance.

1. (C) During the temporary two (2)-year license period the licensee shall complete at least one hundred (100) additional clock hours of formal training approved by the board and shall:

   1. 1. Cause an official final transcript to be

submitted directly to the board office from the approved massage therapy school, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved vocational program or school, mentorship approved by the board, or school, college, university, or other institution of higher learning in the United States which, at the time the applicant was enrolled, was accredited by a regional accrediting commission recognized by the United States Department of Education which includes:

1. A. The applicant’s name;
2. B. Date of enrollment;
3. C. Date of completion; and
4. D. Evidence that one hundred (100)

clock hours of formal training included at least twenty-five (25) clock hours in anatomy and physiology.

1. (D) The temporary two (2)-year license shall not be renewable.
2. (E) A temporary license holder who fails to complete the required one hundred (100) clock hours of formal training approved by the board within the two (2)-year license period shall not be eligible for licensure pursuant to this provision and will have to reapply for licensure pursuant to the licensure requirements in effect at that time.

1. (5) Educational Review.

   1. (A) The board may review a person’s educational credentials prior to application for licensure upon receiving a written request to the board. The person requesting the education review shall be responsible for providing official transcripts and paying the required fee.

AUTHORITY: sections 324.240, 324.265, 324.267 and 324.270, RSMo 2000 and 324.243 and 324.245, RSMo Supp. 2003.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 197-2.010. Original rule filed Feb. 25, 2000, effective Sept. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed Nov. 26, 2003, effective June 30, 2004. Moved to 20 CSR 2197-2.010, effective Aug. 28, 2006. *Original authority: 324.240, RSMo 1998, amended 1999; 324.243 RSMo 1998, amended 1999, 2001; 324.245, RSMo 1998, amended 1999, 2003; 324.265, RSMo 1998, amended 1999; 324.267, RSMo 1998, amended 1999; 324.270, RSMo 1998.