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1997 SESSION

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CHAPTER 599 An Act to amend and reenact § 54.1-3029 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Department of Health Professions; certification of massage therapists. [H 2001] Approved March 20, 1997

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 54.1-3029 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-3029. Qualifications for a certified massage therapist.

A. In order to be certified as a massage therapist, the applicant shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:

1. Is at least 18 years old;

2. Has successfully completed a minimum of 500 hours of training from an education a massage therapy program, having received programmatic approval from the Virginia Board of Education, Division of Proprietary Schools, or certified or approved by the Virginia Board of Education, Division of Proprietary Schools,; the State Council of Higher Education; or an agency in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States territory which approves educational programs, notwithstanding the provisions of § 22.1-320;

3. Has passed the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and has current or an exam deemed acceptable to the Board of Nursing leading to national certification; and

4. Has not committed any acts or omissions that would be grounds for disciplinary action or denial of certification as set forth in this chapter.

B. The Board may certify any applicant who has been practicing massage therapy for up to ten years prior to July 1, 1997, and has completed at least 200 hours of training in an education program. Such programs may be, but shall not be required to be, certified or approved by the Virginia Board of Education, Division of Proprietary Schools; the State Council of Higher Education; or an agency in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States territory which approves educational programs, or has been in practice for ten years or more prior to July 1, 1997, and has completed 20 hours of such training; or has passed the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork prior to 1994.

C. The Board may issue a provisional certification to an applicant prior to passing the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork for such time and in such manner as prescribed by the Board. No more than one provisional certification shall be issued to any applicant.

D. The Board may certify without examination any applicant who is licensed or certified as a massage therapist in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory, or another country, and, in the opinion of the Board, meets the requirements for certified massage therapists in this Commonwealth.