2005 Rhode Island Code - § 23-20.8-3 — Practice of massage – Use of titles limited – Qualifications for licenses – Fees.

    (a) Only a person licensed under this chapter shall practice massage.

   (b) Only a person licensed under this chapter as a massage therapist may use the title "massage therapist." Only a person licensed under this chapter may use the title "masseur" or "masseuse."

   (c) No person, firm, partnership, or corporation shall describe its services under the title "massage" or "massage therapy" unless these services, as defined in § 23-20.8-1, are performed by a person licensed to practice massage under this chapter, and, if described as "massage therapy," by a massage therapist.

   (d) Application for licenses as a masseur or masseuse, or as a massage therapist, shall be issued by the department of health. Except for persons licensed as massage therapists, the department shall establish minimum educational and training requirements for the persons to be licensed under this chapter and shall have the authority to take disciplinary action against a licensee for knowingly placing the health of a client at serious risk without maintaining the proper precautions.

   (e) The fee for original application for licensure as a massage therapist shall be thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents ($31.25). The fee for annual license renewal shall be thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents ($31.25). Fees for all other licenses under this chapter shall be fixed in an amount necessary to cover the cost of administering this chapter.

   (f) Any person applying for a license under this chapter shall undergo a criminal background check. Such persons shall apply to the bureau of criminal identification of the state police or local police department for a nationwide criminal records check. Fingerprinting shall be required. Upon the discovery of any disqualifying information as defined in § 23-20.8-5, the bureau of criminal identification of the state police or the local police department shall inform the applicant, in writing, of the nature of the disqualifying information. The applicant shall be responsible for payment of the costs of the criminal records check.