News

Licensing Responsibilities

By Jean Robinson

March/April 2015

Are you a state-licensed massage therapist? With licensing comes responsibility. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the rules and regulations adopted in your state.

Rules and regulations are adopted after a licensing law is passed and before applications become available. They can be reviewed and changed any time thereafter. ABMP recommends you review your regulatory board’s website quarterly to make sure you’re on top of what’s happening in your state. Regulatory boards aren’t necessarily good at informing licensees that changes are being considered or have been adopted.

Typical rules and regulations address application processes, qualifications for licensure including minimum-hour requirements and exam(s) accepted for licensing, continuing education requirements for re-licensure and renewal, protocols for investigating complaints, grounds for disciplinary action, codes of ethics, and standards of conduct. Some states may also develop rules and regulations for facility sanitation, infection control, or record keeping, as well as client intake forms, client access to records, and confidentiality.

What’s Required of You?

Common responsibilities required of licensees include:

Reporting all changes in address or contact information to the regulatory board within 30 days.
Displaying your license in a prominent area at your place of business.
Adhering to advertising requirements. Your state may require that your license number be included in all advertising.
Keeping client records for at least seven years.
Using your proper title. Most states require that you use LMT (licensed massage therapist) or LMBT (licensed massage and bodywork therapist).

Prevent Disciplinary Action

Good planning and ethical behavior means you will have minimal contact with your licensing board. Unethical and unprofessional behavior, however, likely means you will hear from them. The top reasons state regulatory boards discipline licensees include: unlicensed practice, failure to complete CEUs, drug/alcohol abuse, and prostitution.

Unlicensed practice is by far the number one disciplinary issue of state boards and it is easily preventable. Renew your license on time! Write your expiration date on your calendar or add it as a recurring event on your phone.
Don’t wait until the last minute to complete continuing education requirements. Start searching for the next course you want to take right after you renew your license.
If you have been charged with an offense related to drug or alcohol abuse (e.g., DUI), contact your licensing board right away. Being up front is most important, and it is highly unlikely you’ll lose your right to practice after one offense.