Md. Code Regs. 10.65.01.06

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 10.65.01.06 - Application for Licensure or Registration

A. An applicant for a license to practice massage therapy shall:

(1) Complete the application provided by the Board;

(2) Pay the application fee as specified in COMAR 10.65.07;

(3) Submit one recent 2 inch by 2 inch passport type photograph on a solid white background of the applicant;

(4) Submit a completed criminal background check;

(5) Provide evidence that the applicant is:

(a) Of good moral character; and

(b) 18 years old or older;

(6) Pass the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Jurisprudence Examination, which is administered by the Board, with a score of at least 75 percent;

(7) Have sent directly to the Board by the administering authority proof of:

(a) Having passed:

(i) The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) examination; or

(ii) The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Asian Bodywork Therapy examination; or

(b) The results of an examination approved by the Board;

(8) Have copies of official transcripts sent directly to the Board by an institution of postsecondary education, as defined in Education Article, §10-101, Annotated Code of Maryland, and approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, from which the applicant graduated that documents completion of a program of at least 750 contact hours of massage therapy education in a curriculum that is:

(a) Approved by the Board

(b) Endorsed by:

(i) The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA); or

(ii) An equivalent entity that accredits both institutions of postsecondary education and programs offering instruction in massage therapy; and

(c) Accredited by an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education;

(9) Provide documentation of having satisfactorily completed the requirements listed in Regulation .07 of this chapter;

(10) Provide documentation of current certification of qualification in CPR, at a minimum at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level; and

(11) Have verification of status sent directly to the Board by the issuing state, if certified, licensed, or registered to practice massage therapy in another state

B. On or before September 30, 2024, to be a registered massage practitioner, an applicant shall:

(1) Complete the application provided by the Board;

(2) Pay the application fee as specified in COMAR 10.65.07; and

(3) Submit one recent 2 inch by 2 inch passport type photograph on a solid white background of the applicant;

(4) Submit a completed criminal background check;

(5) Provide evidence that the applicant is:

(a) Of good moral character; and

(b) 18 years old or older;

(6) Pass the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Jurisprudence Examination, which is administered by the Board, with a score of at least 75 percent;

(7) Have sent directly to the Board by the administering authority proof of having passed a Board-approved examination;

(8) Have copies of official transcripts sent directly to the Board by the school from which the applicant graduated that documents completion of a program of at least 600 classroom hours in massage therapy education that is:

(a) Approved by the Board

(b) Endorsed by:

(i) The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA); or

(ii) An equivalent entity that accredits both institutions of postsecondary education and programs offering instruction in massage therapy; and

(c) Accredited by an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education;

(9) Provide documentation of having satisfactorily completed the requirements listed in Regulation .07 of this chapter;

(10) Provide documentation of current certification of qualification in CPR, at a minimum at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level; and

(11) Have verification of status sent directly to the Board by the issuing state, if certified, licensed, or registered to practice massage therapy in another state.

C. The Board may not issue a license or registration if the criminal history record information required under Health Occupations Article, §6-303(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, has not been received.

D. On or after October 1, 2024, the Board may not issue an initial registration to practice as a registered massage practitioner.

E. On or before October 31, 2026, on a request made on an application approved by the Board, the Board shall convert the registration of an individual registered by the Board as a registered massage practitioner to a license to practice massage therapy if the individual complies with regulations under this subtitle.

F. Conversion. In order for an individual to convert from a registered massage practitioner to a licensed massage therapist, a minimum of one of the following shall be met by the applicant:

(1) Has held a registration continuously in good standing for a minimum of 10 years preceding the conversion request;

(2) Attest to the accumulation of 1,000 hours of hands-on experience over the previous 2 years between work hours and continuing education hours; or

(3) Provide documentation verifying a total of 750 hours which include program hours and continuing education hours.

Md. Code Regs. 10.65.01.06

Regulations .06 amended and recodified from .04 effective 43:26 Md. R. 1446, eff. 1/2/2017; amended effective 45:26 Md. R. 1247, eff. 12/31/2018; amended effective 50:25 Md. R. 1088, eff. 12/25/2023