Rule 4731-1-15 | Massage therapy educational requirements and determination of standing of school, college or institution.
(A) For purposes of this rule, "hours" as used in section 4731.19 of the Revised Code, means a period of sixty minutes with a minimum of fifty minutes of instruction.
(B) A person seeking a license to practice massage therapy must hold one of the following:
(1) A diploma or certificate from a limited branch school, college or institution located in Ohio that held a certificate of good standing at the time the person obtained the diploma or certificate.
(2) A diploma or certificate from a limited branch school, college, or institution located outside of Ohio that held a certificate of good standing at the time the person obtained the diploma or certificate.
(3) A diploma or certificate from a limited branch school, college, or institution located outside of Ohio that required the completion of a course of instruction meeting the requirements section 4731.19 of the Revised Code. No more than one-half of the course of instruction required by section 4731.19 of the Revised Code may have been provided via distance education.
(4) During the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application, a current license, registration, or certificate in good standing in another state for massage therapy.
(C) A person desiring to have the board determine the standing of a limited branch school, college, or institution shall file an application for a certificate of good standing in the form and manner prescribed by the board. The completed application shall be signed by the owner or owners and shall provide evidence of the following:
(1) If the limited branch school, college or institution is located in this state, that:
(a) It holds a certificate of authorization issued by the Ohio department of higher education pursuant to Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code; or
(b) It holds a valid certificate of registration and a valid program authorization for the program in the limited branch of medicine issued by the state board of career colleges and schools pursuant to Chapter 3332. of the Revised Code; or
(c) It holds a certificate of authorization issued by the Ohio department of education, division of career/technical adult education; and
(d) It offers a course of instruction in compliance with section 4731.19 of the Revised Code. No more than one-half of the course of instruction required by section 4731.19 of the Revised Code may be provided via distance education.
(e) It requires that each student, prior to completing the course of instruction, perform, on a licensed massage therapist, at least one therapeutic massage. The school shall ensure that the student massage is evaluated as to whether the student demonstrates at least minimally acceptable competency.
(2) If the limited branch school, college or institution is located outside this state, that:
(a) It holds a current or valid registration authorizing its operation issued by the appropriate regulatory body in the state of location that is substantially equivalent to the department of higher education, the state board of career colleges and schools, or the department of education in this state; or
(b) Approval or recognition by the state board or agency authorized to regulate the limited branch of medicine in the state in which the limited branch school, college, or institution is located; or
(c) In the event that the limited branch school, college, or institution is located in a state that does not approve or recognize such facilities or educational programs, approval by the federation of state massage therapy boards for purposes of permitting graduates to sit for the MBLEx; and
(d) It offers a course of instruction in compliance with section 4731.19 of the Revised Code. No more than one-half of the course of instruction required by section 4731.19 of the Revised Code may be provided via distance education.
(e) It requires that each student, prior to completing the course of instruction, perform, on a licensed massage therapist, at least one therapeutic massage. The school shall ensure that the student massage is evaluated as to whether the student demonstrates at least minimally acceptable competency.
(D) At or before the time a school, college or institution in this state accepts a student for admission to a massage therapy course of instruction, the school, college or institution shall provide the student with written notice that arrests, charges, or convictions of criminal offenses may be cause to deny or limit licensure or employment opportunities in specific careers and occupations and may limit the student's ability to obtain federal, state, and other financial aid. The notice shall direct students to the explanatory statement and disqualifying offense list on the board's website at www.med.ohio.gov/The-Board/Disqualifying-Criminal-Convictions.
(E) An application for a certificate of good standing shall be signed by all owners and may not be signed by a person who has been found guilty of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, or by a person who has been disciplined by the board pursuant to section 4731.22 of the Revised Code.
(F) The board may refuse to issue, suspend, place on probation, revoke, or permanently revoke a certificate of good standing for any one or any combination of the following causes:
(1) Non-compliance with or failure to fulfill the provisions of this chapter of the Administrative Code or applicable provisions of Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code;
(2) Furnishing of false, misleading, or incomplete information requested by the board;
(3) Violation of state or federal laws including discrimination in the acceptance and education of students upon the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
(G) If the board refuses to issue, suspend, place on probation, revoke, or permanently revoke a certificate of good standing, the applicant or the certificate holder shall be entitled to a hearing. Notice and hearing requirements will be in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and any rules adopted by the board.
(H) In determining the effective date of any suspension, revocation, or permanent revocation of a certificate, the board shall take into consideration those students currently enrolled in the course of instruction.
(I) The certificate of good standing issued pursuant to this rule is valid for two years from the date of issuance. It may be renewed upon the holder's submission of evidence demonstrating that the requirements of paragraph (C) of this rule are satisfied as determined by the board.
Last updated February 28, 2023 at 8:46 AM
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