Virginia Law

The board has the authority to deny, revoke, or suspend a license issued by it or to otherwise discipline a licensee upon proof that the practitioner has violated any of the provisions of § 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia or of this chapter or has engaged in the following:

1. Fraud or deceit, which shall mean, but shall not be limited to:

a. Filing false credentials;

b. Falsely representing facts on an application for initial licensure, or reinstatement or renewal of a license; or

c. Misrepresenting one's qualifications including scope of practice.

2. Unprofessional conduct, which shall mean, but shall not be limited to:

a. Performing acts that constitute the practice of any other health care profession for which a license or a certificate is required or acts that are beyond the limits of the practice of massage therapy as defined in § 54.1-3000 of the Code of Virginia;

b. Assuming duties and responsibilities within the practice of massage therapy without adequate training or when competency has not been maintained;

c. Failing to acknowledge the limitations of and contraindications for massage and bodywork or failing to refer patients to appropriate health care professionals when indicated;

d. Entering into a relationship with a patient or client that constitutes a professional boundary violation in which the massage therapist uses his professional position to take advantage of the vulnerability of a patient, a client, or his family, to include actions that result in personal gain at the expense of the patient or client, a nontherapeutic personal involvement, or sexual conduct with a patient or client;

e. Falsifying or otherwise altering patient or employer records;

f. Violating the privacy of patients or the confidentiality of patient information unless required to do so by law;

g. Employing or assigning unqualified persons to practice under the title of "massage therapist" or "licensed massage therapist";

h. Engaging in any material misrepresentation in the course of one's practice as a massage therapist;

i. Obtaining money or property of a patient or client by fraud, misrepresentation, or duress;

j. Violating state laws relating to the privacy of patient information, including § 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia;

k. Providing false information to staff or board members in the course of an investigation or proceeding;

l. Failing to report evidence of child abuse or neglect as required by § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia or elder abuse or neglect as required by § 63.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia;

m. Violating any provision of this chapter; or

n. Failing to practice in a manner consistent with the code of ethics of the NCBTMB, as incorporated by reference into this chapter with the exception of the requirement to follow all policies, procedures, guidelines, regulations, codes, and requirements promulgated by the NCBTMB.