Part III. Renewal and Reinstatement
18VAC90-50-70. Renewal of licensure.
A. Licensees born in even-numbered years shall renew their licenses by the last day of the birth month in even-numbered years. Licensees born in odd-numbered years shall renew their licenses by the last day of the birth month in odd-numbered years.
B. The licensee shall complete the renewal form and submit it with the required fee and attest that he has complied with continuing competency requirements of 18VAC90-50-75.
C. Failure to receive the application for renewal shall not relieve the licensed massage therapist of the responsibility for renewing the license by the expiration date.
D. The license shall automatically lapse by the last day of the birth month if not renewed, and the practice of massage therapy or use of the title "massage therapist" or "licensed massage therapist" is prohibited.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3005 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 24, eff. September 17, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 7, eff. January 15, 2003; Errata, 19:8 VA.R. 1273 December 30, 2002; amended Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 22, eff. August 15, 2013; Volume 32, Issue 26, eff. September 21, 2016; Volume 34, Issue 9, eff. January 24, 2018.
18VAC90-50-75. Continuing competency requirements.
A. In order to renew a license biennially, a licensed massage therapist shall:
1. Hold current certification by the NCBTMB; or
2. Complete at least 24 hours of continuing education or learning activities with at least one hour in professional ethics. Hours chosen shall be those that enhance and expand the skills and knowledge related to the clinical practice of massage therapy and may be distributed as follows:
a. A minimum of 12 of the 24 hours shall be in activities or courses provided by one of the following providers and may include seminars, workshops, home study courses, and continuing education courses:
(1) NCBTMB;
(2) Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards;
(3) American Massage Therapy Association;
(4) Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals;
(5) Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation;
(6) A nationally or regionally accredited school or program of massage therapy; or
(7) A school of massage therapy approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
b. No more than 12 of the 24 hours may be activities or courses that may include consultation, independent reading or research, preparation for a presentation, a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or other such experiences that promote continued learning.
B. A massage therapist shall be exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure in Virginia.
C. The massage therapist shall retain in his records the completed form with all supporting documentation for a period of four years following the renewal of an active license.
D. The board shall periodically conduct a random audit of licensees to determine compliance. The persons selected for the audit shall provide evidence of current NCBTMB certification or the completed continued competency form provided by the board and all supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving notification of the audit.
E. Failure to comply with these requirements may subject the massage therapist to disciplinary action by the board.
F. The board may grant an extension of the deadline for continuing competency requirements, for up to one year, for good cause shown upon a written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date.
G. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3005 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 24, eff. September 17, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 7, eff. January 15, 2003; Errata, 19:8 VA.R. 1273 December 30, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 4, eff. December 11, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 26, eff. September 21, 2016; Volume 34, Issue 9, eff. January 24, 2018.
18VAC90-50-80. Reinstatement of licenses.
A. A massage therapist whose license has lapsed may reinstate licensure within one renewal period by attesting to completion of continuing competency requirements for the period and payment of the current renewal fee and the late renewal fee.
B. A massage therapist whose license has lapsed for more than one renewal period shall file a reinstatement application, attest to completion of continuing competency requirements for the period in which the license has been lapsed, not to exceed four years, and pay the reinstatement fee.
C. A massage therapist whose license has been suspended or revoked may apply for reinstatement by filing a reinstatement application meeting the requirements of subsection B of this section, and paying the fee for reinstatement after suspension or revocation.
D. The board may require evidence that the massage therapist is prepared to resume practice in a competent manner.
Statutory Authority
§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3005 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 24, eff. September 17, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 7, eff. January 15, 2003; Errata, 19:8 VA.R. 1273 December 30, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 4, eff. December 11, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 26, eff. September 21, 2016.