§ 90-631. Massage and bodywork therapy schools. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 90‑631.  Massage andbodywork therapy schools.

(a)        The Board shallestablish rules for the approval of massage and bodywork therapy schools. Theserules shall include:

(1)        Basic curriculumstandards that ensure graduates have the education and skills necessary tocarry out the safe and effective practice of massage and bodywork therapy.

(2)        Standards forfaculty and learning resources.

(3)        Requirements forreporting changes in instructional staff and curriculum.

(4)        A description of theprocess used by the Board to approve a school.

Any school that offers atraining program in massage and bodywork therapy, not otherwise exempt from therequirements of Board approval, shall submit an application for approval to theBoard. If a massage and bodywork therapy school offers training programs atmore than one physical location, each location shall constitute a separatemassage and bodywork therapy school. The Board shall grant approval to aschool, whether in this State or another state, that meets the criteria establishedby the Board. The Board shall maintain a list of approved schools and a list ofcommunity college programs operating pursuant to subsection (b) of thissection.

(a1)      The Board shall havegeneral supervision over massage and bodywork therapy schools, not otherwiseexempt from the requirements of Board approval, in this State for the purposeof protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public by requiring thatmassage and bodywork therapy schools carry out their advertised promises andcontracts made with their students and patrons and by requiring that approvedmassage and bodywork therapy schools maintain:

(1)        Adequate, safe, andsanitary facilities.

(2)        Sufficient andqualified instructional and administrative staff.

(3)        Satisfactory programsof operation and instructions.

(b)        A massage andbodywork therapy program operated by a North Carolina community college that isaccredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is exempt fromthe approval process, licensure process, or both, established by the Board. Thecollege shall certify annually to the Board that the program meets or exceedsthe minimum standards for curriculum, faculty, and learning resourcesestablished by the Board. Students who complete the program shall qualify forlicenses from the Board as if the program were approved, licensed, or both, bythe Board.

(c)        A massage andbodywork therapy program operated by a degree or diploma granting college oruniversity that offers a degree or diploma in massage therapy and is accreditedby any accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department ofEducation and is licensed by the North Carolina Community College System or TheUniversity of North Carolina Board of Governors is exempt from the approvalprocess, licensure process, or both, established by the Board. The college oruniversity shall certify annually to the Board that the program meets orexceeds the minimum standards for curriculum, faculty, and learning resourcesestablished by the Board. Students who complete the program shall qualify forlicenses from the Board as if the program were approved, licensed, or both, bythe Board.  (1998‑230,s. 10; 2005‑276, s. 8.15(a); 2008‑224, ss. 13, 14.)