PURPOSE: This rule outlines the requirements to obtain a provisional license. (1) A person shall request an application for provisional licensure from the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage, PO Box 1335, Jefferson City, MO, 65102-1335 by calling (573) 522-6277 or sending an email to massagether@pr.mo.gov. The TDD number is (800) 735-2996. An application for provisional licensure shall include the following information:

1. (A) An official transcript from the massage therapy program, school, or board approved mentor documenting completion of a massage therapy program pursuant to 20 CSR 2197- 2.010(1) or (2). For the purpose of this regulation, the massage therapy program shall not be provided via correspondence course, audiotape, videotape, or the Internet unless approved by the board. The course of instruction shall be face-to-face, visually and verbally interactive, between an instructor and the student(s). The board may accept transcripts issued to the applicant and placed in a sealed envelope that carries the massage therapy program, school, or mentor’s seal or stamp;
2. (B) Written verification from the massage therapy school, program, mentor, or testing entity that the applicant has applied or is scheduled to take an examination pursuant to 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1)(D)1.–3.;
3. (C) Fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The applicant shall provide proof of submission of fingerprints to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s approved vendor(s) for both a Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI criminal background check. Proof shall consist of any documentation acceptable to the board. Any fees due for fingerprint background checks shall be paid by the applicant directly to the Missouri State Highway Patrol or its approved vendor; and FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
4. (D) Any applicable fees.
5. (2) A provisional license is valid for up to ninety (90) days from the date of issuance. A provisional license shall expire upon passing the examination as defined in 20 CSR 2197- 2.010(1)(D) or 20 CSR 2197-2.010(2)(D) or conclusion of the ninety (90)-day licensure provisional period whichever comes first. Upon expiration of a provisional license the licensee shall no longer engage in the practice of massage therapy. To resume practicing massage therapy a person must either apply to renew the provisional license, pursuant to 20 CSR 2197-2.030(3), if he/she has not passed the national examination, or obtain a license as a massage therapist pursuant to 20 CSR 2197-2.010(1) or (2).
6. (3) A provisional license may be renewed for an additional ninety (90) days from the date of expiration at the discretion of the board. To renew a provisional license the applicant must complete an application, submit written verification from the massage therapy school, program, mentor or testing entity that the person has applied or is scheduled to take an examination pursuant to 20 CSR 2197- 2.010(1)(D) or 20 CSR 2197-2.010(2)(D), and pay the required fee.
7. (4) A provisional licensee is subject to all statutes and regulations relating to the licensing and regulation of licensed massage therapists and licensed massage therapy businesses.
8. (5) A provisional license shall not be issued until the results of the criminal background check have been reviewed by the board. The results of the criminal background check shall be valid for two (2) years from receipt of the criminal background check in the board office.

AUTHORITY: sections 324.245 and 324.265, RSMo Supp. 2007.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 197-2.030. Original rule filed Feb. 25, 2000, effective Sept. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed Nov. 26, 2003, effective June 30, 2004. Moved to 20 CSR 2197-2.030, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Aug. 21, 2007, effective March 30, 2008. *Original authority: 324.245, RSMo 1998, amended 1999, 2003, 2006 and 324.265, RSMo 1998, amended 1999, 2006.