West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 194 - Massage Therapy Licensure Board › Title 194 - LEGISLATIVE RULE MASSAGE THERAPY LICENSURE BOARD › Series 194-01 - General Provisions › Section 194-1-4 - Standards Relating to the Practice of Massage Therapy; Professional Misconduct

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
4.1. The
				licensee shall know the statutes and rules governing massage therapy and
				function within the legal boundaries of the massage therapy practice. The Board
				may suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline a licensee who violates any
				provision of W. Va. Code §
									30-37-1, et seq., and this rule,
				or who is guilty of professional misconduct. A licensee shall:
4.1.a. Maintain documentation of compliance
				with all applicable state or local government rules;
4.1.b. Conduct massage therapy only in rooms
				which are adequately lighted and ventilated, and which are kept clean. Restroom
				facilities with a toilet, sink with hot and cold running water, soap, and clean
				towels and adequate toilet tissue must be available;
4.1.c. Maintain a reasonable effort for
				sanitation for temporary locations such as athletic events or public service
				fund raisers in temporary venues;
4.1.d. Maintain all equipment and supplies
				used to perform massage services in a safe and sanitary condition. Lotions,
				creams, and oils shall be kept free of possible bacterial
				contamination;
4.1.e. Wash his or
				her hands in hot, soapy water or other antibacterial substance before and after
				each massage therapy treatment;
4.1.f. Launder, before reuse, all materials
				furnished for the personal use of the massage therapy client, such as towels,
				linens and any draping materials;
4.1.g. Before proceeding with the massage of
				a client, explain expected draping techniques and provide the client a clean
				drape or drapes for the purpose of covering the body in accordance with
				generally-accepted standards of practice;
4.1.h. Before proceeding with breast massage
				therapy, the client shall provide a written medical directive to the massage
				therapist in advance of performing breast massage therapy. The medical
				directive shall be included in the client file. The massage therapist shall
				also obtain informed, written consent prior to performing breast massage. A
				breast massage shall only be performed as indicated in the medical directive
				prescribed by a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, physician assistant, or
				an advanced practice registered nurse and also indicated in a plan of care.
				Failure to comply with this subdivision constitutes grounds for revocation of
				license;
4.1.i. Obtain instruction
				and supervision as necessary when implementing massage therapy techniques or
				practices;
4.1.j. Report any unsafe
				massage therapy practice and/or violation of law by other licensees to the
				Board and recognized legal authorities;
4.1.k. Conduct practice without
				discrimination on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, sexual preference,
				socio-economic status, national origin, handicap, or disease;
4.1.l. Respect the dignity and rights of
				clients regardless of social or economic status, personal attributes, or nature
				of the client's health problems;
4.1.m. Respect the client's right to privacy
				by protecting confidential information unless obligated by law to disclose the
				information;
4.1.n. Obtain
				voluntary and informed consent from the client prior to initiating the massage
				therapy session;
4.1.o. Be
				knowledgeable of his or her competent scope of practice and practice only
				within these limitations;
4.1.p.
				Refer to other professionals when in the best interest of the client and/or
				practitioner;
4.1.q. Maintain
				accurate and truthful records;
4.1.r. Maintain client files for a minimum
				period of four years, and store and dispose of client files in a secure
				manner;
4.1.s. Refrain from
				engaging in any sexual activity with a client;
4.1.t. Refrain from massaging, touching or
				otherwise exposing the genitalia of the client; and
4.1.u. Refrain from practicing massage
				therapy while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any illegal
				substances.