| (a) Acceptable continuing education includes attendance
at and completion of department-approved or -recognized institutes,
seminars, workshops, state or national conferences, associations,
courses provided by an approved massage therapy school, or college
and university academic courses. These programs must be designed to
increase and enhance professional knowledge, skills, or competence
in the practice of massage therapy. The subject matter must be:
(1) directly related to the theory or clinical application
of theory pertaining to the practice of massage therapy and the manipulation
of soft tissue, massage therapy laws and rules, business practices,
professional ethics, anatomy, physiology, hydrotherapy, kinesiology,
pathology, or health and hygiene;
(2) first aid and/or CPR, not to exceed six hours total
each renewal period; or
(3) advanced massage therapy or bodywork techniques
acceptable to the department.
(b) Continuing education approved or recognized by
the department must be developed and presented by qualified persons.
(1) Massage therapy techniques and courses involving
the manipulation of soft tissue must be taught or presented by a licensed
massage therapy instructor. Advanced massage therapy or bodywork techniques
must be taught or presented by persons with licensure, registration,
or education in the technique being presented.
(2) Courses, other than techniques, may be taught or
presented by persons with licensure, registration, education or practical
experience in the subject being presented. Instructors teaching CPR
or First Aid must be certified as CPR instructors or First Aid instructors
by:
(A) the American Heart Association;
(B) the American Red Cross;
(C) the National Safety Council; or
(D) another provider with curriculum that is in compliance
with nationally accepted guidelines established by the above referenced
organizations.
(3) Out-of-state instructors or presenters offering
continuing education in Texas on massage therapy techniques or involving
the manipulation of soft tissue must:
(A) be in compliance with any licensure, registration
or certification requirements for massage therapists and massage therapy
instructors in the instructor or presenter's home state;
(B) be licensed to practice medicine, occupational
therapy, chiropractic, athletic training, physical therapy, or nursing;
or
(C) provide documentation of education or practical
experience specific to the continuing education being offered if the
instructor or presenter's home state does not have licensure, registration
or certification requirements for massage therapists and massage therapy
instructors.
(c) Continuing education which otherwise meets the
standards of this section but is offered or presented online or by
correspondence is acceptable only if the subject matter is not massage
therapy techniques or manipulation of soft tissue.
(d) The department may approve out-of-state continuing
education providers and programs. Continuing education completed out-of-state
may be accepted by the department if it is approved by a national
board such as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage
and Bodywork.
(e) Additional information regarding the continuing
education may be required for departmental review.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §117.31 adopted to be effective November 1, 2017, 42 TexReg 4991; amended to be effective February 1, 2020, 45 TexReg 543; amended to be effective April 1, 2021, 46 TexReg 2003 |
