US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

This regulation database is current through State Register Volume 29, Issue 10, effective October 28, 2005. Changes to the regulations enacted by the 2006 General Assembly, which will convene in January 2006, will be incorporated as soon as possible. Some regulations approved by the 2006 General Assembly may take immediate effect. The State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Legislative Council make no warranty as to the accuracy of the data, or changes which may have been enacted since the 2005 Regular Session or which took effect after this database was prepared and users rely on the data entirely at their own risk.

(Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Section 40-30-60)

77-100. Qualification for Licensure.

1. The Department shall issue a license to a person who:

(a) pays to the Department the fee prescribed on the application for licensure; and

(b) completes a massage therapy program of five hundred hours of supervised study at an approved massage/bodywork school. Approved schools are those found by the Department to have met the minimum qualifications as set forth by the Commission on Higher Education for such programs; and

(c) passes a national examination approved by the Department.

2. The Department, in conjunction with the Advisory Panel, approves the national examination known as the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as the national examination required for licensure.

3. Documentation of Graduation from a Department Approved Massage School.

In order to be acknowledged as a graduate of a Department approved massage school. The Department's administrative office must receive an official transcript documenting the applicant's training in a format approved by the Department. Such official transcript must document to the satisfaction of the Department that the applicant has successfully completed a course of study in massage which met the minimum standards for training and curriculum as delineated in this rule chapter. An official transcript indicating passing grades in all courses, and including dates of attendance and successful completion of the entire course of study, is evidence of successful completion.

77-105. Reciprocity.

1. To be granted a license to practice in this state without being required to take an examination, a person shall:

(a) submit to the Department a duly attested certificate from the licensing Department or Board of the state or territory in which he is licensed;

(b) complete a Department approved Application and pay the appropriate fees.

2. The Department has the power to enter into reciprocal relations with other states and territories whose requirements are substantially the same as those provided in this chapter.

77-115. Return of Licenses.

Any license issued by the Department and subsequently suspended or revoked, in addition to the wall certificate, shall be promptly returned to the Department's Administrative offices within ten (10) working days of its imposition by order of the Department.

77-120. Continuing Education.

1. For the purpose of renewing or reactivating a license, credit will be approved for continuing education programs which are offered by providers approved by the Department. In order to receive Department approval as a continuing education provider, an entity shall:

(a) Apply for approval on forms provided by the Department.

(b) Provide a contact person to ensure that each program provider meets the requirements as established by the Department.

(c) Provide each participant with a certificate of attendance verifying the program has been completed.

(d) The certificate shall not be issued until completion of the program and shall contain the providers name and number, title of program, instructor, date, number of credit hours, the licensee's name and license number.

(e) Any changes to the program must be submitted and approved by the Department.

2. Each program presented by an approved provider shall:

(a) Meet the Department approved standards.

(b) Have a Department approved course outline with stated learning objectives.

(c) Be instructed by a person who meets at least one of the following criteria:

(1) Holds a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a college or university which is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a substantially equivalent accrediting body of a foreign sovereign state, with a major in a subject directly related to the content of the program to be offered, or

(2) Has graduated from a school of massage or an apprenticeship program which has a curriculum equivalent to requirements in this state and was approved by a state licensing authority, a nationally recognized massage therapy association, or a substantially equivalent accrediting body, or the Department and has completed three years of professional experience in the practice of massage.

(3) Is licensed as a massage therapist in another state or foreign sovereign state having standards of education or apprenticeship training substantially similar to or more stringent than those required for licensure in South Carolina, and

(4) Has taught at a school of massage which has a curriculum equivalent to requirements in this state and was approved by a state licensing authority, a nationally recognized massage therapy association, or a substantially equivalent accrediting body, or the Department for a minimum of two years.

3. Approved courses in areas other than massage theory, history, and techniques may be instructed by a person who holds a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a college or university which is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a substantially equivalent accrediting body of a foreign sovereign state, with a major in a subject directly related to the content of the program to be offered.

4. The Department may grant blanket approval to a provider although the provider must submit dates, times and locations of the program to the Department.

5. The Department retains the right to monitor programs given by any provider. The Department may suspend or revoke the status of a provider who fails to comply with this chapter.

6. One hour of continuing education is defined as 50 minutes of instruction.

7. Instructors of courses shall not receive CE credit for courses they instruct.

8. All Department approved providers shall renew their approved status on or before July 1 of each biennial year.

9. A Continuing Education program may be offered by the Department and shall be available through a self-study video program.

77-125. Change in Massage Practitioner's Address or Name.

1. The massage practitioner shall immediately notify the Department in writing, of any change in his mailing address.

2. Upon changing his name the massage practitioner shall submit a written request for a new license, proof of the name change such as a certified copy of a court document or marriage certificate.

3. Upon receipt of the notification, the department shall issue a new license reflecting the new name. The license number and expiration date shall remain the same.

4. The license with the old name shall be returned within ten (10) working days upon receipt of the new license.

77-130. Transfer of License.

1. Any license issued shall be for the sole use and benefit of the licensee to whom it was issued.

2. Any license issued shall not be transferable.

77-135. Lost, Destroyed or Damaged License.

1.When a massage practitioner/bodywork therapist license becomes lost, destroyed or damaged the licensee shall immediately notify the Department in writing that the license has been lost, destroyed or damaged.

2. Upon receipt of the information required, the Department shall issue a duplicate license.

3. The duplicate license number and expiration date shall remain the same.

4. The duplicate license shall be marked "duplicate."

5. A duplicate license may be obtained for a fee of five dollars ($5.00).

77-140. Communicable Disease Control.

1. Individuals suffering from infectious or contagious skin diseases such as impetigo shall not be treated by any licensed massage practitioner.

2. Any individual known to be infected with active tuberculosis that is not under the treatment of a licensed physician, registered nurse practitioner or licensed physician's assistant or who has an infected wound or open lesion or skin disease such as impetigo on any exposed portions of his body, shall be excluded from practicing massage as a licensed massage practitioner.

3. Massage lubricants shall be dispensed from containers in such manner as to prevent its contamination and shall be stored in impervious, enclosed containers which shall prevent spillage and contamination from outside sources.