Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 18.108 · 26 active provisions
(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 provide se…
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 reflexo…
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 three years' experience in the…
(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, massag…
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 sc…
(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 massag…
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 b…
(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 not prohibit a certif…
(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 business or conducts business in…
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;(3)…
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.
(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 p…
(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, success…
(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 prog…
(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 forms and procedures necessary to administe…
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, t…
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.
(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 by the board; a…
(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 compl…
(1) For the purposes of ascertaining violations of this chapter and chapter 18.130 RCW, the secretary or authorized representative has the authority to inspect, within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner, the premises of any massage or reflexology business establishment during hours such business is open. If t…
Nothing in this chapter limits or abridges the authority of any political subdivision to levy and collect a general and nondiscriminatory license fee levied upon all businesses, or to levy a tax based upon gross business conducted by any firm within said political subdivision.
For the purposes of this chapter, licensed massage therapists shall be classified as "offices and clinics of health practitioners, not elsewhere classified" under section 8049 of the standard industrial classification manual published by the executive office of the president, office of management and budget.
(1) A massage therapist licensed under this chapter may apply for an endorsement as a small or large animal massage therapist upon completion of one hundred hours of training in either large or small animal massage. Training must include animal massage techniques, kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, first aid care, and p…
The department of health shall review the implementation of chapter 277, Laws of 2002 and make recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2005, regarding regulatory changes to chapter 277, Laws of 2002.
(1) A massage therapist licensed under this chapter may apply for an endorsement to perform intraoral massage upon completion of training determined by the board and specified in rules. Training must include intraoral massage techniques, cranial anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, hygienic practices, safety and sanit…