RCW 18.108.005 Intent—Health care insurance not affected. (1) The legislature finds it necessary to license the practice of massage and massage therapy and certify persons practicing reflexology in order to protect the public health and safety. It is the legislature’s intent that only individuals who meet and maintain minimum standards of competence and conduct may […]
RCW 18.108.010 Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following meanings shall apply: (1) “Animal massage therapist” means an individual with a license to practice massage therapy in this state with additional training in animal therapy. (2) “Board” means the Washington state board of massage. (3) “Certified reflexologist” means an individual who […]
RCW 18.108.020 Board of massage—Generally. The Washington state board of massage is created. The board shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the governor for a term of four years each. All members shall be residents of this state. Five members shall be massage therapists licensed under this chapter with at least […]
RCW 18.108.025 Board powers and duties. (1) In addition to any other authority provided by law, the board of massage may: (a) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW necessary to implement massage therapist licensure under this chapter, subject to the approval of the secretary; (b) Define, evaluate, approve, and designate those massage schools, […]
RCW 18.108.028 Transfer programs. In order to recognize prior education that is applicable to licensure as a massage therapist or massage practitioner while protecting the public, the board shall adopt rules to allow massage programs that are approved by the board to establish transfer programs that accept an individual’s credits or clock hours from schools […]
RCW 18.108.030 Licensure or certification required. (1)(a) No person may practice or represent himself or herself as a massage therapist without first applying for and receiving from the department a license to practice. However, this subsection does not prohibit a certified reflexologist from practicing reflexology. (b) A person represents himself or herself as a massage […]
RCW 18.108.035 Unlicensed practice—Penalties. The following penalties must be imposed upon an owner of a massage business or reflexology business where the unlicensed practice of massage therapy or reflexology has been committed: (1) Any person who with knowledge or criminal negligence allows or permits the unlicensed practice of massage therapy or reflexology to be committed within […]
RCW 18.108.040 Advertising—Use of title. (1)(a) It shall be unlawful to advertise the practice of massage using the term massage or any other term that implies a massage technique or method in any public or private publication or communication by a person not licensed by the secretary as a massage therapist. However, this subsection does […]
RCW 18.108.045 Display of license or certification—Availability of photo identification. (1) A massage therapist licensed under this chapter or a reflexologist certified under this chapter must conspicuously display his or her credential in his or her principal place of business. If the licensed massage therapist or certified reflexologist does not have a principal place of […]
RCW 18.108.050 Exemptions. This chapter does not apply to: (1) An individual giving massage or reflexology to members of his or her immediate family; (2) The practice of a profession by individuals who are licensed, certified, or registered under other laws of this state and who are performing services within their authorized scope of practice; […]
RCW 18.108.060 Applicant—License or certificate holder—Compliance with procedures, requirements, fees. Each applicant and license or certificate holder shall comply with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fees set by the secretary under RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. [ 2012 c 137 § 9; 1996 c 191 § 81; 1991 c 3 § 256; 1987 c 443 § […]
RCW 18.108.070 Qualifications for licensure or certification. (1) The secretary shall issue a massage therapist’s license to an applicant who demonstrates to the secretary’s satisfaction that the following requirements have been met: (a) Effective June 1, 1988, successful completion of a course of study in an approved massage program, transfer program, or approved apprenticeship program; […]
RCW 18.108.073 Massage therapist examination. (1) Applicants for the massage therapist license examination must demonstrate to the secretary’s satisfaction that the following requirements have been met: (a)(i) Effective June 1, 1988, successful completion of a course of study in an approved massage program or transfer program; or (ii) Effective June 1, 1988, successful completion of […]
RCW 18.108.074 Reflexology examination. (1) Beginning July 1, 2013, applicants for the reflexology certification examination must demonstrate to the secretary’s satisfaction that the following requirements have been met: (a)(i) Successful completion of a course of study in an approved reflexology program; or (ii) Successful completion of an apprenticeship program approved by the secretary; and (b) […]
RCW 18.108.085 Powers and duties of secretary—Uniform Disciplinary Act—License or certificate revocation—Reinstatement. (1) In addition to any other authority provided by law, the secretary may: (a) Adopt rules, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW necessary to implement this chapter; (b) Set all license, certification, examination, and renewal fees in accordance with RCW 43.70.250; (c) Establish […]
RCW 18.108.095 Out-of-state massage therapist applicants. A massage therapist applicant holding a license in another state or foreign jurisdiction may be granted a Washington license without examination, if, in the opinion of the board, the other state’s or foreign jurisdiction’s examination and educational requirements are substantially equivalent to Washington’s. However, the applicant must demonstrate to […]
RCW 18.108.115 Persons licensed under prior law. Any person holding a valid license to practice massage issued by authority of the state on July 26, 1987, shall continue to be licensed as a massage therapist under the provisions of this chapter. [ 2016 c 41 § 10; 1987 c 443 § 13.] NOTES: Effective date—2016 […]
RCW 18.108.125 Inactive credential—Reinstatement. (1) The secretary must grant a massage therapist an inactive credential if the massage therapist submits a letter to the board stating his or her intent to obtain an inactive credential, and he or she: (a) Holds an active Washington state massage therapist’s license; (b) Is in good standing, as determined […]
RCW 18.108.131 Exemptions—Reflexology. (1) The secretary may certify an applicant as a reflexologist without examination if the applicant: (a) Has practiced reflexology as a licensed massage therapist for at least five years prior to July 1, 2013, or provides evidence satisfactory to the secretary that he or she has, prior to July 1, 2013, successfully […]
RCW 18.108.190 Inspection of premises by law enforcement personnel. State and local law enforcement personnel shall have the authority to inspect the premises at any time including business hours. [ 1975 1st ex.s. c 280 § 20.] NOTES: Reviser’s note: As to the constitutionality of this section, see Wash. Massage Found. v. Nelson, 87 Wn.2d […]
