2012 Arkansas Code
Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses
Subtitle 3 - Medical Professions
Chapter 86 - Massage Therapists
Subchapter 3 - -- Registration
§ 17-86-301 - Registration required -- Exemptions.

(a) It shall be unlawful:

(1) (A) For any person who does not hold a valid license to use the following titles: massage therapist, massage practitioner, myotherapist, masso therapist, massage technologist, masseur, masseuse, therapy technologist, master massage therapist, massage therapy instructor, or any derivation of those titles or to advertise such titles; or

(B) For any person who does not hold the applicable license issued by the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy to engage professionally for payment, barter, donation, or exchange in the practice or instruction of massage therapy as defined in this chapter;

(2) For any person to operate or conduct any massage therapy clinic or massage therapy school which does not conform to the sanitary regulations contained in § 17-86-302, in state law, in local ordinances, or in those rules and regulations which may be adopted by the board;

(3) To employ any person to practice or instruct under this chapter who does not hold a valid license issued by the board;

(4) For any person to operate a massage therapy school or clinic without its first being registered under the provisions of this chapter as a licensed massage therapy school or registered clinic; or

(5) For the board or other individual or entity to incorporate privileges or certification requirements of any private organization, private professional association, or private accrediting agency within Arkansas massage laws or its rules and regulations. However, the board may adopt as its licensure exam an exam drafted and administered by a private organization, private professional association, or private accreditation agency.

(b) Exemptions:

(1) Persons authorized by the laws of this state to practice medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, or physical therapy, and licensed physicians' assistants, licensed nurses, licensed physical therapy assistants, licensed acupuncturists, licensed midwives, and chiropractors are exempt from this chapter in so far as massage therapy practices are offered or instructed within the scope and under the provisions of licensure;

(2) Persons authorized by the board to present and instruct board-approved school curriculum or continuing education programs, or both, may present and instruct such board-approved curriculum and programs for payment and in the presentation and instruction may utilize practices defined in, but without being licensed or registered under, the provisions of this chapter; and

(3) The practice of massage therapy that is incidental to a program of study by students enrolled in a licensed massage therapy school approved by the board, and under direct supervision of a licensee employed as an instructor at the school, is exempt from § 17-86-311(a)(10).

(c) (1) A licensee shall notify the board in writing of any change of name, address, phone number, or place of employment.

(2) If a name change is requested, a new license shall be issued in the new name at the next renewal date or immediately for a fee not to exceed twenty dollars ($20.00) for printing of a new license.

(3) Valid government-issued photo identification is required for each name change request.