Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 269 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF MASSAGE THERAPY › Title 269 CMR 5.00 - Code Of Professional Ethics & Standards Of Ethical Practice › Section 5.02 - Standards of Professional Practice

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
When engaged in the practice of Massage, a Massage Therapist
				shall:
(1) Perform a written or verbal
			 intake interview with the client to determine whether any contraindications to
			 massage therapy exist and whether modifications, including pressure, technique,
			 and duration of treatment, are appropriate;
(2) Acknowledge the limitations of, and
			 contraindications for, massage therapy;
(3) Provide only those services that the
			 Licensee is qualified to perform and that are within the scope of practice of a
			 Massage Therapist;
(4) Refer the
			 client to other professionals or services if the treatment or service is beyond
			 the Massage Therapist's scope of practice;
(5) If a plan of care or treatment is
			 appropriate, explain the plan to the client, to others designated by the
			 client, and to appropriate professionals with client permission;
(6) Provide massage therapy services that
			 meet or exceed the generally-accepted practice of the profession;
(7) Practice massage therapy in accordance
			 with accepted safe, sanitary and hygienic standards, including, but not limited
			 to, following all standards of practice for disease control;
(8) Receive the written permission of either
			 a parent or guardian for providing massage therapy services to a client younger
			 than 18 years old prior to providing those services;
(9) Provide massage therapy services to a
			 client younger than 18 years old only when a responsible adult chaperone is in
			 the room, unless the parent or guardian waives this requirement in
			 writing;
(10) Not perform massage
			 therapy in bars and/or adult entertainment facilities;
(11) Not initiate or engage in any behavior
			 that is sexually suggestive or engage in any sexual conduct or activities with
			 a client;
(12) Not knowingly aid
			 and abet another person to use the term "Massage" as part of a professional
			 title when that person is not authorized to do so; knowingly employ a person
			 not authorized to use the regulated professional title in the course of such
			 employment; advertise as a massage therapist, also known as a muscular
			 therapist, myotherapist, masseur, masseuse or a Massage Therapy Establishment
			 unless a person in its employment holds a valid license under M.G.L. c. 135;
			 combine advertising for a licensed massage therapy service with advertising for
			 an escort or dating services; use any sexually suggestive language or images in
			 advertising; advertise as performing massage in a form in which the person has
			 not received training, or of a type that is not licensed or otherwise
			 recognized by law or administrative rule; or advertise by using any term other
			 than therapeutic massage or massage therapy to refer to the service. The term
			 "advertise" shall include, but not be limited to, the issuance of any card,
			 sign, or device to another; the causing, permitting, or allowing of any sign or
			 marking on or in any building, vehicle or structure; advertising in a newspaper
			 or magazine or on television or on the internet; any listing or advertising in
			 a directory under a classification or heading that includes the word "massage"
			 or commercials broadcast by airwave transmission.
(13) Unless prohibited by law, have the right
			 to refuse to treat any person or part of the body at the Licensee's
			 discretion;
(14) Unless prohibited
			 by law, be allowed to pool or apportion fees received with other members of a
			 business entity in accordance with any business agreement; and
(15) Adhere to the standards of documentation
			 as provided in
			 269 CMR
			 5.03.