Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B7-28.009

Current through Reg. 50, No. 222; November 13, 2024

Section 64B7-28.009 - Required Continuing Education for Massage Therapists

(1) For the purposes of this chapter an instruction hour shall be defined as no less than 50 minutes of any one clock hour during which the student participates in an approved course offered by an approved provider.

(2) For the purposes of this chapter a classroom hour shall be defined as no less than 50 minutes of any one clock hour during which the student participates in an approved course offered by an approved provider in the physical presence of an approved instructor.

(3) During the first biennial renewal cycle, the licensee shall complete:

(a) Two instruction hours in prevention of medical errors, pursuant to Section 456.013(7), F.S.

(b) One hour in human trafficking awareness.

(c) One instruction hour for each month or partial month licensed. The overall number of required hours for renewal in the first biennial renewal cycle shall include the required hours of instruction in prevention of medical errors and human trafficking awareness.

(4) During each subsequent biennial renewal cycle, the licensee shall complete:

(a) Two instruction hours in prevention of medical errors, pursuant to Section 456.013(7), F.S.

(b) Two instruction hours in the laws and rules which govern the practice of massage therapy, including Chapters 456 and 480, F.S., and Division 64B7, F.A.C.

(c) Two instruction hours in professional ethics.

(d) One hour in human trafficking awareness.

(e) Twelve classroom hours, taught in an in-person setting, which must include hands-on instruction or demonstration, and must have stated learner objectives which are relevant to and focused on massage therapy techniques, skills, and protocols as defined in Rule 64B7-32.003, F.A.C. Courses completed during the 2023-2025 and 2021-2023 Biennial Renewal periods to meet this requirement may be offered as instruction hours.

(f) Five additional instruction hours, including but not limited to courses in communication with clients and other professionals, psychological dynamics of the client-therapist relations, risk management, charting, documentation, record keeping, infection control, or massage practice management.

(5) All continuing education must be completed with an approved provider.

(6) A licensee may substitute the following activities for the requirements above:

(a) Up to two hours of instruction in laws and rules may be substituted for two hours of continuous attendance at an in-person meeting of the Board, provided that the licensee signs in to demonstrate attendance and does not have an item scheduled on the agenda.

(b) Up to two hours of instruction in professional ethics may be substituted for two hours of continuous attendance at an in-person meeting of the Board, provided that the licensee signs in to demonstrate attendance and does not have an item scheduled on the agenda.

(c) Up to six hours of classroom instruction which is relevant to and focused on massage therapy techniques, skills, and protocols as defined in Section 480.033(3), F.S., or up to six hours of general instruction may be substituted for the performance of pro-bono services, on an hour-for-hour basis, provided that:

1. The proposed services are to be performed for indigent or underserved populations or in areas of critical need within the state of Florida as recognize by the Federal Poverty income guidelines produced by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (01/2020), 12159 http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12158, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/17/2020-00858/annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, in connection with a tax-exempt organization under s. 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, in response to a disaster as defined in Section 252.34(2), F.S., for first responders as defined in Section 196.091(6)(c)1., or

2. The licensee submits DH-MQA 1243 Request for Approval of Continuing Education for Pro Bono Services For the Biennial Renewal Period of __________ (10/2019) at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12159, hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, and is approved to offer the pro bono services specified therein during the biennial cycle in which the form is submitted.

3. The licensee submits DH-MQA 1244 Statement of Performance of Continuing Education Credits for Preapproved Pro Bono Services for the Biennial Renewal Period of (10/2019) at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12162, hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, demonstrating performance of approved pro bono services.

(7) A licensee shall be exempt from all licensure renewal provisions under this section during an absence from the state due to their spouse's duties with the armed forces if the licensee:

(a) Presents satisfactory proof that they are the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces; a copy of the spouse's military orders and marriage certificate, and that they were caused to be absent from Florida for a period of at least six consecutive months because of the spouse's duties, and

(b) Was in good standing with the Board of Massage and entitled to practice massage in Florida when the absence began.

(8) A licensee shall not receive credit for courses they offer as an approved provider or approved instructor.

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 64B7-28.009

Rulemaking Authority 456.013(6), (7), (8), (9), 456.024(2), 480.035(7), 480.0415 FS. Law Implemented 456.013(6), (7), (9), 456.024(2), 456.0341, 480.0415 FS.

New 4-21-86, Amended 2-25-88, 8-29-88, 1-30-90, 10-2-90, Formerly 21L-28.009, Amended 8-16-94, 6-5-95, 2-12-97, Formerly 61G 11-28.009, Amended 8-16-98, 3-15-99, 9-20-99, 11-28-02, 2-13-05, 3-1-07, 5-1-07, 1-2-14, Amended by Florida Register Volume 41, Number 160, August 18, 2015 effective 9/1/2015, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 195, October 6, 2020 effective 10/18/2020, Amended by Florida Register Volume 48, Number 012, January 19, 2022 effective 2/2/2022, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 100, May 23, 2023 effective 6/5/2023.