Sec. 6. (a) This subsection applies to an individual who holds a certification by the board as a massage therapist on the effective date of the rules adopted by the board for massage therapy licensure. An individual to whom this subsection applies is considered to be licensed from the effective date of the rules adopted by the board for massage therapy licensure, and the board shall thereafter renew the person’s license in accordance with IC 25-21.8-6. If an individual to whom this subsection applies becomes licensed under this subsection, the expiration date of the license is the same as the expiration date of the certification that the individual held on the effective date of the rules adopted by the board for massage therapy licensure.

     (b) This subsection applies to an individual who is not certified by the board as a massage therapist and who is practicing massage therapy for compensation in Indiana on the effective date of the rules adopted by the board for massage therapy licensure. An individual to whom this subsection applies may continue practicing massage therapy in Indiana without a massage therapy license until the date occurring one hundred eighty-three (183) days after the effective date of the rules adopted by the board for massage therapy licensure. On or after the date occurring one hundred eighty-three (183) days after the effective date of the rules adopted by the board for massage therapy licensure, an individual to whom this subsection applies may not practice massage therapy in Indiana unless the individual obtains a massage therapy license. A person to whom this subsection applies may obtain a massage therapy license by doing the following:

(1) Apply for licensure before the date occurring one hundred eighty-three (183) days after the effective date of the rules adopted by the board for massage therapy licensure.

(2) Provide the board with either:

(A) documentation that the applicant has completed and passed a nationally recognized competency examination in the practice of massage therapy and an affidavit of at least five (5) years of work experience in the state; or

(B) a certificate and transcript of completion from a massage therapy program or school with at least five hundred (500) hours of education.

(3) Submit to a national criminal history background check as prescribed by IC 25-0.5-1-9.

     (c) Notwithstanding any other law, the board shall continue to issue massage therapy certifications under this article until the effective date of the rules adopted by the board for massage therapy licensure.

As added by P.L.267-2017, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.180-2018, SEC.17.