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Chapter 05. Continuing Education Requirements

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Regulation .01 Required Continuing Education Hours.Copy Citation

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A.
By October 31 of each renewal year, licensees and registrants shall satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 continuing education hours within the previous 24 months as follows:
(1)
3 hours in professional ethics or jurisprudence;
(2)
3 hours in communicable disease education;
(3)
16 hours in massage-related courses as approved by the Board; and
(4)
2 hours in diversity, cultural competency, or implicit bias training.
B.
In addition to the requirements of §A of this regulation, at the time of renewal, a licensee or registrant shall possess documentation of current certification of qualification in CPR at, a minimum, the Basic Life Support (BLS) level.

Regulation .02 Approval of Continuing Education Programs.Copy Citation

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A.
The Board shall:
(1)
Base approval of continuing education programs solely on content;
(2)
Ensure that continuing education programs are directed toward improvement, advancement, and extension of professional skill and knowledge related to massage therapy.
B.
A course or program offered by a pre-approved provider is approved without further review and is exempted from the requirements of Regulation .04 this chapter, provided that the course or program pertains to the human anatomy and includes any of the following topics:
(1)
Massage practice modalities, application, scope, and philosophy;
(2)
Contraindications;
(3)
Massage therapy theory, technique, studies, and research;
(4)
Professional ethics, jurisprudence, and risk management;
(5)
Recordkeeping and professional business practices;
(6)
Diversity, communications, and cultural competency; and
(7)
Any other topic determined by the Board to meet the professional and educational requirements of the licensees and registrants.
C.
Pre-approved Providers. Unless the requirement of §B of this regulation are not met or accreditation status of the pre-approved provider, including all sub-providers, schools, courses, and programs approved or sanctioned by the pre-approved provider unless otherwise prohibited, is not retained, the following shall be considered pre-approved providers:
(1)
FSMTB;
(2)
ABMP;
(3)
NCBTMB;
(4)
AOBTA;
(5)
AMTA;
(6)
National and State massage therapy organizations accredited by the federal or state government or a Board recognized accreditation society;
(7)
Accredited state schools and U.S. Military Commands; and
(8)
Such other Board-approved providers.
D.
Up to 12 credit hours may be achieved for formal, authorized representation at a national, regional, or local convention or meeting relating to any of the above-cited organizations.
E.
Courses may be completed in live, home study, or online format.

Regulation .03 Exemptions.Copy Citation

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A.
Individuals issued initial licensure or registration within 12 months of the renewal date are exempt from the continuing education requirements in Regulation .01 of this chapter for the first renewal cycle.
B.
Licensees or registrants with documented hardships, and seeking an exemption, waiver, or extension from the continuing education requirements in Regulation .01 of this chapter, shall petition the Board in writing at least 90 days before the renewal date.
C.
The Board shall review the petition for an exemption, waiver, or extension and respond in writing to the licensee or registrant.

Regulation .04 Board Procedures.Copy Citation

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A.
A program or institution seeking Board approval shall submit the following in writing at least 60 days before the starting date of the program or course:
(1)
Title, location, and date of program or course;
(2)
If electronically administered, website, database, or system used;
(3)
Credit hours requested;
(4)
Names and professional and educational qualifications of instructors;
(5)
Name of attendance certifying officer and method of certification;
(6)
Required texts or course books used;
(7)
Program or course syllabus; and
(8)
List of any sponsor of the program or course.
B.
The Board shall notify the requestor in writing of the Board's decision to approve or disapprove a program or course.
C.
The Board shall conduct a biennial audit of continuing education and shall notify audited licensees and registrants by mail or electronic means that the audited licensees and registrants shall produce satisfactory evidence of completion of the continuing education requirements.
D.
Licensees and registrants shall maintain accurate records, including continuing education course certifications, and if audited, shall present this documentation upon request to the Board.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Health Occupations Article, §6-206, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date:
History: Chapter recodified from COMAR 10.43.20 to COMAR 10.65.05 under new Subtitle, Board of Massage Therapy Examiners, Continuing Education Requirements, effective January 2, 2017 (43:26 Md. R. 1446)
History: Regulation .01 amended effective August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 710)
History: Regulation .02B, C amended effective August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 710)
History: Regulation .03B, C amended effective August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 710)
History: Regulation .04C, D amended effective August 5, 2024 (51:15 Md. R. 710)