1. 1. A massage therapy education program must provide at least 650 hours of instruction in the following subjects:

   1. (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.
   2. (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.
   3. (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.
   4. (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.

   5. (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. (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. 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.

HISTORY: Added by SCSR 47-5 Doc. No. 5132, eff May 26, 2023.