§ 73-67-1. Short title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Professional Massage Therapy Act.”
§ 73-67-11. Bond of executive secretary of board; State Board of Massage Therapy Fund
Before entering upon discharge of the duties of the office, the executive director of the board shall furnish a bond, approved by the board, to the state in the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the duties of the office, the premium on the bond […]
§ 73-67-13. Compensation and payment of expenses
Each member of the board shall receive the per diem authorized under Section 25-3-69 for each day actually discharging his official duties, and shall receive reimbursement for mileage and necessary expense incurred, as provided in Section 25-3-41. The expenses of the board in carrying out the provisions of this chapter shall be paid upon requisitions […]
§ 73-67-15. Duties of board; board members immune from liability
The board shall: Adopt an official seal and keep a record of its proceedings, persons licensed as massage therapists, and a record of the licenses that have been revoked or suspended; Keep on file all appropriate records pertaining to each license; Annually, on or before February 15, make a report to the Governor and Legislature […]
§ 73-67-17. Rules and regulations
The board may adopt rules: Establishing reasonable standards concerning the sanitary, hygienic and healthful conditions of the licensed massage therapist and of premises and facilities used by massage therapists; Relating to the methods and procedures used in the practice of massage; Governing the examination and investigation of applicants for the licenses issued under this chapter […]
§ 73-67-19. Enforcement actions; investigations; hearing
The board shall report to the proper district attorney all cases that, in the judgment of the board, warrant prosecution. Massage therapists or establishments may not be discriminated against regarding business licenses and shall be treated as any other health care profession. Any civil penalty imposed under this section shall become due and payable when […]
§ 73-67-21. Practice of massage therapy prohibited unless licensed; requirements for licensure; exemptions; validity of certificates of registration issued before July 1, 2008; fingerprint-based criminal history records check required
It shall be the responsibility of a massage therapy establishment to verify the current license of any and all persons practicing massage therapy at the location of or on behalf of the establishment. Failure to comply is subject to penalty assessed by the board of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and not more […]
§ 73-67-23. Examination
The purpose of requiring examination is to determine that each applicant for licensure possesses the minimum skills and knowledge to practice competently. The board shall accept as evidence of competency, in addition to all other requirements as stated in this chapter, the successful completion of any state, nationally or internationally accredited examination approved by the […]
§ 73-67-25. Reciprocity; temporary reciprocal permit
An applicant may be licensed by demonstrating proof that the applicant holds a valid, current license in another state with similar educational requirements to those required by this chapter, and that all other licensure requirements under this chapter are met. This is subject to investigation by the board and excludes grandfathering by other states. If […]
§ 73-67-27. Grounds for denial, suspension or revocation of license; investigative proceedings; prostitution in connection with massage; penalties
The board may refuse to issue or renew or may deny, suspend or revoke any license held or applied for under this chapter upon finding that the holder of a license or applicant: Is guilty of fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in procuring or attempting to procure any license provided for in this chapter; Attempted to […]
§ 73-67-29. Advertising restrictions; exemptions
Any licensed massage therapist advertising by the use of radio, newspaper, television, electronic media, flyers, business cards, phone book or any other means shall include legibly, or clearly audible, the massage therapy license number issued to the therapist(s) on and/or with that advertising. Massage establishments with six (6) or more licensed massage therapists shall be […]
§ 73-67-3. Legislative findings
The Legislature finds that in the profession and practice of massage therapy there is a necessity to preserve and protect individual life and health, promote the public interest and welfare by providing for the licensure of massage therapists and assuring public safety.
§ 73-67-31. Duties and responsibilities of licensed massage therapists; diagnosis and prescriptions prohibited
All licensed massage therapists shall: Perform only those services for which they are qualified and which represent their training and education; Acknowledge their professional limitations and refer the client to an appropriate health professional when necessary, in cases where massage may be or is contraindicated; Recognize and respect the rights of all ethical practitioners and […]
§ 73-67-33. Massage establishments to have adequate lavatory facilities, workable telephone, and copy of massage therapy code of ethics and professional conduct
Lavatories or wash basins provided with an adequate supply of both hot and cold running water should be available. Lavatories or wash basins shall be provided with soap in a dispenser and paper, individual use towels, or air dryers. Any mobile massage shall have a previous recording of the client’s name, address where the therapy […]
§ 73-67-35. Education requirements for licensure; standards for massage therapy programs and schools; evidence of current national accreditation in lieu of application
To obtain a massage therapy license, an applicant must submit to the board the applicant’s official and certified transcript(s) from the applicant’s massage therapy school. The transcript must verify that the applicant has completed a board-approved training program of not less than six hundred (600) hours of supervised in-class massage therapy instruction, and at least […]
§ 73-67-37. Grace period for licensure
The grace period for licenses to be issued shall be from March 28, 2002, until July 1, 2002. Those meeting the minimum requirements as stated in this chapter, except for obtaining a license, may continue the practice of massage therapy or instruction thereof within the grace period. Massage curriculums that begin before July 1, 2001, […]
§ 73-67-39. Repeal of Sections 73-67-1 through 73-67-37
Sections 73-67-1 through 73-67-37 shall stand repealed on July 1, 2021.
§ 73-67-5. Exemptions
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following: Persons state licensed, state registered, state certified, or otherwise state credentialed by the laws of this state to include massage as part of their practice, or other allied modalities that are certified by a nationally accredited organization recognized by the board; Students enrolled in […]
§ 73-67-7. Definitions
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings stated in this section, unless otherwise stated: “Approved massage therapy school” means a facility that is licensed by this board and meets the curriculum and instruction requirements as stated in this chapter. “Board” means the State Board of Massage Therapy as created in […]
§ 73-67-9. State Board of Massage Therapy; membership; quorum
There is created the State Board of Massage Therapy. The board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. At least three (3) members shall be appointed from a list submitted by state representatives of one or more nationally recognized professional massage therapy association(s), all […]