Section 847 IAC 1-2-5 - Boundaries; ethical conduct; sexual misconductAuthority: IC 25-21.8-2-9; IC 25-21.8-3-1
Affected: IC 25-21.8
Sec. 5.
(a) When providing massage therapy, a license holder shall do the following: (1) Wear clothing that is clean, modest, and professional.(2) Provide privacy for the client while the client is dressing and undressing.(3) Provide draping in a manner that ensures the safety, comfort, and privacy of the client.(4) Use draping so that the: (A) gluteal cleft and genital areas of male and female clients; and(B) breasts of female clients; are not exposed.(b) Draping is not required when the client remains fully clothed during the massage therapy session.(c) With prior voluntary and informed consent of the client, the gluteal cleft and breast draping may be temporarily moved in order to perform therapeutic treatment to structures in those areas.(d) A license holder shall not do the following:(1) Perform massage therapy while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances, except for prescribed medications that do not impair the massage therapist's ability to perform massage therapy.(2) Engage in any behavior with a client that is verbally, physically, or emotionally abusive.(3) Exert influence or take unfair advantage of a client for financial or other gain.(4) Exploit the client-massage therapist relationship.(5) Engage in sexual activity with a client:(A) during a massage therapy session;(B) at an establishment where massage therapy is conducted; or(C) at any on-site location where massage therapy is being conducted.(6) Permit any other person to engage in sexual activity with a client:(A) during a massage therapy session;(B) at an establishment where massage therapy is conducted; or(C) at any on-site location where massage therapy is being conducted.(7) Initiate, agree to, or ask the client to engage in sexual activity or behave verbally or nonverbally in a manner intended to solicit sexual activity with a client.(8) Expose, touch, or massage the genitalia of a client.(9) Enter a client's bodily orifices, external body hole, or opening with any device, apparatus, tool, or body part at any time during a massage therapy session, with the exception of therapy done in the mouth or ears pursuant to consent from the client:(A) during a massage therapy session;(B) at an establishment where the individual practices massage; or(C) at any on-site location where the massage therapy is conducted.(e) A license holder may: (1) terminate a massage therapy session; or(2) refuse to treat any person or part of the body; for just and reasonable cause.
State Board of Massage Therapy; 847 IAC 1-2-5; filed Jan 13, 2009, 11:54 a.m.: 20090211-IR-847080351FRAReadopted filed 11/20/2015, 3:30 p.m.: 20151216-IR-847150225RFAReadopted filed 11/5/2021, 8:41 a.m.: 20211201-IR-847210378RFAFiled 6/13/2022, 9:49 a.m.: 20220713-IR-847210507FRAReadopted filed 3/8/2024, 3:15 p.m.: 20240403-IR-847230832RFA