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Attention Florida License Massage Therapists

ALL Current licenses will expire at midnight, on August 31, 2007.

Prior to renewal on August 31, 2007, every massage therapist will be required to complete:

  • n One (1) hour of continuing education for each month or partial month that has elapsed since the issuance of the license for which renewal is sought, up to a maximum of 24 hours for the renewal period.
  • n At least twelve (12) of the hours must be relevant to and focus on massage therapy techniques, which may include the history of massage, human anatomy & physiology, kinesiology and/or pathology.
  • n Two (2) hours must cover instruction in professional ethics. Note – If you are a new licensee and this is your first renewal, you are not required to complete this course for renewal.
  • n Two (2) hours must cover instruction in the prevention of medical errors.
  • n Two (2) hours must cover instruction in Florida Laws and Rules (Chapter 480 and 456, Florida Statutes and Rule Chapter 64B7, F.A.C.). Note – If you are a new licensee and this is your first renewal, you are not required to complete this course for renewal.
  • n In addition to the hours required above, a course in HIV/AIDS is also required for renewal.
  • n All courses must be obtained through a Board of Massage Therapy Approved Provider.
  • n View Rule Chapter 64B7-28.009 Continuing Education.

(1) Every massage practitioner licensed pursuant to Chapter 480, F.S., shall be required for renewal to complete one continuing education hour for each month or part of a month that shall have elapsed since the issuance of the license for which renewal is sought, up to a maximum requirement of 24 hours for the renewal period. Such courses shall have been approved for continuing education credit pursuant to Rule 64B7-28.010, F.A.C., and shall have been completed within the renewal period preceding the date renewal is due. Every massage practitioner must obtain the continuing education required for biennial renewal of the massage therapist’s license as set forth in Rule 64B7-28.001, F.A.C. Graduates of a Board approved massage school who received two hours of education in Chapters 480 and 456, F.S., and Rule Chapter 64B7, F.A.C., and two (2) hours of professional ethics prior to initial licensure shall not be required to complete additional continuing education in the same subject matter for initial renewal of the license.

(2) All continuing education requirements may be met by correspondence/home study courses, tape and/or video cassette courses, provided the course requires passing a test to be graded by the provider and the passing score is verified by the provider of the course. Video cassette courses shall not exceed 5 hours per subject and must meet the requirements of Rule 64B7-28.010, F.A.C. The vendor and the licensee shall verify in writing that all requirements of paragraph 64B7-28.010(2)(c) or (d), F.A.C., have been met. Such verification/validation shall clearly indicate the course is a “correspondence/home study course/tape or videocassette course” and that the licensee passed the course in order to be accepted as proof of attendance.

(3) Effective for the biennium beginning September 1, 2001, the continuing education contact hours shall be in the following areas:

(a) At least 12 continuing education hours shall be relevant to and focus on massage therapy techniques, which may include history of massage therapy, human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and/or pathology. As of September 1, 2007, the 12 continuing education hours shall be taken via live classroom instruction which includes hands-on instruction or demonstration, 6 hours of which may be performed as pro bono services pursuant to Rule 64B7-28.0095, F.A.C.

(b) Except as provided in subsection 64B7-28.009(1), F.A.C., two hours must cover instruction in professional ethics, two hours must be in a course relating to the prevention of medical errors, and two hours must cover instruction in Chapters 480 and 456, F.S., and Rule Chapter 64B7, F.A.C.

(c) The remaining hours may include courses on communications with clients and other professionals, insurance relating to third party payment or reimbursement for services, psychological dynamics of the client-therapist relationship, risk management, including charting, documentation, record keeping, or infection control (other than the HIV/AIDS course required by Section 456.034, F.S.), or massage practice management. The remaining hours may also include up to 4 hours credit for adult cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), provided the course is sponsored by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or the American Safety and Health Institute, or is instructed by persons certified to instruct courses for those organizations.

(4) The licensee shall retain, for not less than four years, such receipts, vouchers or certificates as are necessary to document completion of the continuing education stated on the renewal application.

(5) At the end of each biennium, the Board will audit a number of randomly selected licensees to assure that the continuing education requirements have been met. Within 21 days of a request from the Board or Department, the licensee must provide written documentation that the continuing education requirements have been met.

Specific Authority 456.013(7), (8), (9), 480.035(7), 480.0415 FS. Law Implemented 456.013(7), (8), (9), 480.0415 FS. History–New 4-21-86, Amended 2-25-88, 8-29-88, 1-30-90, 10-2-90, Formerly 21L-28.009, Amended 8-16-94, 6-5-95, 2-12-97, Formerly 61G11-28.009, Amended 8-16-98, 3-15-99, 9-20-99, 11-28-02, 2-13-05, 3-1-07.