(1) To be eligible for issuance of an initial license in this state as a massage therapist, the applicant shall:

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(a) Furnish the State Board of Massage Therapists with personal references required by rule of the board.

(b) Have attained the age of 18 years.

(c) Furnish the board with educational certificates or transcripts required by law or rule of the board including but not limited to proof of certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(d)(A) Have completed a minimum of 625 contact hours of certified classes in the following subjects:

(i) Anatomy and physiology;

(ii) Kinesiology;

(iii) Pathology;

(iv) Theory; and

(v) Hands-on practice of massage or bodywork techniques and professional practices, including client communication and boundaries, professional and business ethics and sanitation; or

(B) Obtain the approval of the board after the board performs a credentialing review, including but not limited to a review of the classes completed by the applicant and the applicant’s professional experience, to determine the applicant’s proficiency in the field of massage.

(e) Pass an examination prepared and conducted by the State Board of Massage Therapists or its authorized representative establishing the applicant’s competency and ability to engage in the practice of massage. The examination must be administered in the English language or another language approved by the State Board of Massage Therapists and may be in written, oral or practical form and may test the applicant for the required level of knowledge and skill in any subject related to massage or bodywork. The State Board of Massage Therapists shall accept passage of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork examination or another national standardized examination approved by the State Board of Massage Therapists as meeting the written examination requirement described in this paragraph.

(f) Submit the application with payment for licensing within one year after notification of having passed the qualifying examination.

(2) An applicant must be a person of good moral character. For purposes of this section, the lack of good moral character may be established by reference to acts or conduct reflecting moral turpitude or to acts or conduct that would cause a reasonable person to have substantial doubts about the applicant’s ability to engage in the practice of massage in accordance with ORS § 687.011 to 687.250, 687.895 and 687.991 and rules of the board.

(3) The board may require that an applicant furnish evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant can safely and competently practice massage. The board may consider evidence including, but not limited to, indications of impairment as defined in ORS § 676.303 or of behavior, practices or conduct that would be considered unprofessional or dishonorable conduct if engaged in by a person licensed under ORS § 687.011 to 687.250, 687.895 and 687.991.

(4) The board shall adopt rules establishing the required hours for each subject listed in subsection (1)(d)(A) of this section.

(5) To be eligible for biennial renewal, a renewal applicant shall submit evidence to the board, as determined by the board by rule, that the applicant has completed a minimum of 12 hours of board-approved continuing education.

(6) To be eligible for inactive status, a licensed massage therapist may no longer be engaged in the practice of massage in this state. [1955 c.492 § 4; 1957 c.166 § 2; 1977 c.507 § 7; 1979 c.89 § 4; 1985 c.82 § 4; 1989 c.841 § 4; 1995 c.23 § 1; 1997 c.32 § 1; 1997 c.176 § 1; 1997 c.626 6,6a; 1999 c.537 § 9; 2009 c.536 § 36; 2009 c.756 § 62; 2011 c.44 § 2; 2015 c.491 § 2]

[1977 c.507 § 5; 1985 c.82 § 6; repealed by 1989 c.841 § 14]