Title 6. Massage Therapy — Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-201 (2026)
Title 6. Massage Therapy
Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
§ 6–201LinkCopy Citation
There is a State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners in the Department.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-202 (2026)
Title 6. Massage Therapy
Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
§ 6–202LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The Board consists of nine members.
(2)
Of the nine Board members:
(i)
Six shall be licensed massage therapists; and
(ii)
Three shall be consumer members.
(3)
(i)
The Governor shall appoint the licensed massage therapist members with the advice of the Secretary, and the advice and consent of the Senate of Maryland, from a list of names of qualified individuals submitted to the Secretary and the Governor by an association that represents at least 250 licensed massage therapists in the State.
(ii)
The number of names on the list shall be five times the number of vacancies.
(iii)
The list shall include the name of the incumbent member unless the incumbent member declines renomination.
(4)
The Governor shall appoint the consumer members with the advice of the Secretary and the advice and consent of the Senate of Maryland.
(b)
(1)
Each licensed massage therapist member shall be:
(i)
A resident of the State;
(ii)
A licensed massage therapist of integrity and ability who is in active practice;
(iii)
A graduate of a Board–approved program in massage therapy; and
(iv)
An individual who has practiced massage therapy in the State for at least 5 consecutive years before appointment.
(2)
(i)
In this paragraph, “good standing” means that the Board has not reprimanded the licensed massage therapist, suspended or revoked the license of the licensed massage therapist, or placed the licensed massage therapist on probation within 5 years before or after confirmation to the Board.
(ii)
In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, each licensed massage therapist member of the Board shall be in good standing with the Board.
(c)
Each consumer member of the Board:
(1)
Shall be a member of the general public;
(2)
May not be or ever have been a massage therapist or massage practitioner or in training to become a massage therapist or massage practitioner;
(3)
May not have a household member who is a massage therapist or massage practitioner or in training to become a massage therapist or massage practitioner;
(4)
May not participate or ever have participated in a commercial or professional field related to massage therapy;
(5)
May not have a household member who participates in a commercial or professional field related to massage therapy; and
(6)
May not have had within 2 years before appointment a substantial financial interest in a person regulated by the Board.
(d)
While a member of the Board, a consumer member may not have a substantial financial interest in a person regulated by the Board.
(e)
Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.
(f)
(1)
The term of a member is 4 years.
(2)
The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on October 1, 2016.
(3)
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(4)
A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(5)
To the extent practicable, the Governor shall fill any vacancy on the Board within 60 days after the date of the vacancy.
(6)
A member may not serve more than 2 consecutive full terms.
(g)
(1)
The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.
(2)
On the recommendation of the Secretary, the Governor may remove a member whom the Secretary finds to have been absent from two successive Board meetings without adequate reason.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-203 (2026)
Title 6. Massage Therapy
Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
§ 6–203LinkCopy Citation
(a)
From among its members, the Board annually shall elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary–treasurer.
(b)
The Board shall determine:
(1)
The manner of election of the officers; and
(2)
The duties of each officer.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-204 (2026)
Title 6. Massage Therapy
Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
§ 6–204LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Board and the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners may employ a staff in accordance with the budgets of the boards.
(b)
The Board and the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners jointly shall appoint an executive director, who serves at the pleasure of both boards.
(c)
The executive director:
(1)
Is the executive officer of both boards; and
(2)
Has the powers and duties assigned by the boards.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-205 (2026)
Title 6. Massage Therapy
Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
§ 6–205LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A majority of the full authorized membership of the Board is a quorum.
(b)
The Board shall determine the times and places of meetings of the Board.
(c)
In accordance with the budget of the Board, each member of the Board is entitled to:
(1)
Compensation for each day on which the member is engaged in the duties of the member’s office; and
(2)
Reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided for in the State budget.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-206 (2026)
Title 6. Massage Therapy
Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
§ 6–206LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board may:
(1)
Adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this title;
(2)
Summon witnesses, administer oaths, take affidavits, and take testimony about matters that relate to the duties of the Board; and
(3)
In accordance with the State budget, authorize payment of fees and travel expenses of witnesses who testify in any proceeding before the Board.
(b)
In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board shall:
(1)
Keep a list of the name and address of each licensed massage therapist and registered massage practitioner;
(2)
(i)
Maintain an electronic roster of all individuals licensed or registered by the Board;
(ii)
Make the roster available for the purpose of electronically verifying licensure or registration on the Board’s website; and
(iii)
Provide an alternative means to verify a license or registration for individuals without Internet access;
(3)
File reports of the activities of the Board as required by the Secretary;
(4)
Assist in prosecutions under this title;
(5)
Investigate an alleged violation of this title; and
(6)
Establish an advisory committee, to be chaired by the vice chair of the Board, to study the scope of practice of massage therapy and make recommendations to the Board on changes to this title or regulations adopted by the Board under this subtitle that are necessary to reflect currently practiced modalities.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-207 (2026)
Title 6. Massage Therapy
Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
§ 6–207LinkCopy Citation
(a)
There is a State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Fund.
(b)
(1)
The Board may set reasonable fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses and registrations and other services of the Board.
(2)
The fees charged shall be set so as to approximate the cost of maintaining the Board.
(3)
Funds to cover the compensation and expenses of the Board members shall be generated by fees set under this section.
(c)
(1)
The Board shall pay all funds collected under this title to the Comptroller.
(2)
The Comptroller shall distribute the fees to the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Fund.
(d)
(1)
The Fund shall be used to cover the actual documented direct and indirect costs of fulfilling the statutory and regulatory duties of the Board as provided in this title.
(2)
The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(3)
Any unspent portions of the Fund may not be transferred or revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund to be used for the purposes specified in this title.
(4)
No other State money may be used to support the Fund.
(e)
(1)
A designee of the Board shall administer the Fund.
(2)
Money in the Fund may be expended only for any lawful purpose authorized under this title.
(f)
The Legislative Auditor shall audit the accounts and transactions of the Fund as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.
Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. § 6-208 (2026)
Title 6. Massage Therapy
Subtitle 2. State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners
§ 6–208LinkCopy Citation
A person shall have the immunity from liability described under § 5–725 of the Courts Article for giving information to the Board or otherwise participating in the activities of the Board.