# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 65 — Board of Massage Therapy Examiners

### Chapter 03 — Code of Ethics

#### Regulation .04 Relationship with Client.

*COMAR 10.65.03.04*

A. A licensee or registrant shall:

  (1) Use professional judgment in the use of evaluation and treatment procedure;

  (2) Decline to administer treatment when the treatment is contraindicated or unjustified;

  (3) Terminate a professional relationship with a client in an appropriate manner, such as:

    (a) Providing the client with sufficient notice to permit the client to obtain the services of another professional; or

    (b) Assisting the client by providing referrals, if appropriate.

  (4) Maintain legible, organized written records of treatment of any client under the care of the licensee or registrant for at least 5 years after termination of treatment and as provided by applicable provisions of Health-General Article, Title 4, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland;

  (5) Make the written records available to the client upon request, in compliance with applicable laws for disclosure of medical records;

  (6) Make referrals only to other qualified and duly licensed or certified health care providers or practitioners, or both;

  (7) Accurately inform clients, other health care professionals, and the public of the limitations of massage therapy;

  (8) Adequately assess the client to determine if contraindications against massage therapy exist and refer the client to an appropriate health care practitioner; and

  (9) Exercise independent professional judgment in the treatment or evaluation, or both, of clients, regardless of whether the client was referred by another health care provider.

B. A licensee or registrant may not:

  (1) Accept a client for treatment, or continue unnecessary treatment, when the client cannot be reasonably expected to benefit from the treatment;

  (2) Receive remuneration from, or provide remuneration to, or split a fee with another health care provider or individual, or both, for either making or accepting a referral of the client to the health care provider or individual, or both;

  (3) Make a guarantee or promise about the efficacy of a particular treatment, the licensee’s or registrant’s practice, or the results of a treatment unless supported by scientific principles accepted by the profession as determined by the governing board; or

  (4) Exploit the professional relationship by:

    (a) Continuing treatment unnecessarily; or

    (b) Charging for a service:

      (i) Not provided; or

      (ii) Different from those actually provided.