Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Massage
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B7-32.003: Minimum Requirements for Board of Massage Therapy Approval
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To update the curriculum requirements for board-approved massage schools.
SUMMARY: The rule amendment provides for additional course requirements for Board-approved massage schools.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board determined that small businesses would not be affected by this rule.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 480.035(7) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 480.033(9), 480.041(1)(b) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Kaye Howerton, Executive Director, Board of Massage Therapy/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B7-32.003 Minimum Requirements for Board Approved Massage Schools of Massage Therapy Approval.

(1) In order to receive and maintain Board of Massage Therapy approval, a massage school, and any satellite location of a previously approved school, must:

(a) Meet the requirements of and be licensed by the Department of Education pursuant to Chapter 1005, F.S., or the equivalent licensing authority of another state or county, or be within the public school system of the State of Florida; and

(b) Offer a course of study that includes, at a minimum, the 500 classroom hours listed below, completed at the rate of no more than 6 classroom hours per day and no more than 30 classroom hours per calendar week:

        Course of Study                                                                           Classroom Hours

        Anatomy and Physiology                                                                 150

        Basic Massage Theory and History Clinical Practicum               100 225

        Clinical Practicum                                                                               125

        Florida Statutes/Rules and History of Massage                           10

        Theory and Practice of Hydrotherapy                                            15

        Allied Modalities                                                                                76 97

        Business                                                                                              15

        Theory and Practice of Hydrotherapy                                            15

        Florida Laws and Rules                                                                     10

        (Chapters 456 and 480, F.S. and Rule 64B7, F.A.C.)

        Professional Ethics                                                                             4

        HIV/AIDS Education                                                                          3

        Medical Errors                                                                                     2

(c) Apply directly to the Board of Massage Therapy and provide the following information:

1. Sample transcript and diploma;

2. Copy of curriculum, catalog or other course descriptions;

3. Faculty credentials; and

4. Proof of licensure by the Department of Education.

(2) All faculty members of the massage therapy school must meet the minimum requirements of the Department of Education.

(3) Board of Massage Therapy approval shall be withdrawn if the massage school:

(a) Modifies its curriculum to fall below the minimum standards set out in this rule, or fails to require its students to complete the minimum standards in order to graduate;

(b) Submits to the Board of Massage Therapy on behalf of an applicant for licensure documents containing information the school, through its owner, manager, instructors, or other employees or agents, knows to be false;

(c) Violates any standard applicable to the school pursuant to licensure by the Department of Education;

(d) Violates any applicable rule herein.

(4) A Board of Massage Therapy-approved school must notify the Board of Massage Therapy within 90 days of:

(a) Changes in curriculum;

(b) Changes in faculty or staff, including submission of the credentials of new faculty; and

(c) Changes in address.

(5) Any change in ownership of a Board of Massage Therapy approved school must be approved by the Board of Massage Therapy.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 480.035(7) FS. Law Implemented 480.033(9), 480.041(1)(b) FS. History–New 3-25-86, Amended 8-15-89, 12-22-92, Formerly 21L-32.003, Amended 10-20-96, Formerly 61G11-32.003, Amended 8-16-98, 10-30-07,________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Massage Therapy
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Massage Therapy
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 29, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: July 17, 2009