Okla. Admin. Code § 175:20-9-1

Current through Vol. 42, No. 8, January 2, 2025

Section 175:20-9-1 - Professional conduct

(a) A licensee shall maintain current knowledge of massage practice and perform services only if the licensee has the necessary knowledge, training or skill to perform the technique.

(b) A licensee shall be clean, fully-clothed and professional in dress and appearance.

(c) A licensee shall not engage in an activity, interest or influence that conflicts with the licensee's obligation to act in the best interest of the client.

(d) A licensee shall not exploit a relationship with a client for the licensee's personal advantage, including, but not limited to, a personal, sexual, romantic, or financial relationship.

(e) A licensee shall not engage in a romantic or sexual relationship with a client during the time that a therapist/client relationship exists.

(f) A licensee shall conduct business with honesty and integrity.

(g) A licensee shall be truthful in advertising and marketing, and not misrepresent services, charges for services, credentials, training, experience or result.

(h) A licensee shall not massage the genitalia of a client nor engage in, or offer to engage in, any activity with the intent of sexually arousing a client.

(i) A licensee shall only massage the breasts of a female client if:

(1) the licensee has training in techniques related to therapeutic treatment of mammary tissue; and

(2) signed written consent is obtained from the client.

(j) A licensee shall not practice when under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any illegal substances, with the exception of legal or prescribed medication in dosages that do not impair the licensee's ability to render massage therapy services in a safe manner.

(k) A licensee may refuse to treat any person or any part of the body for just or reasonable cause.

(l) A licensee shall immediately modify or terminate treatment at the client's request regardless of prior consent.

(m) A licensee shall not perform pregnancy massage unless the licensee has been trained in techniques related to pregnancy or prenatal massage and has first obtained an informed written consent for the treatment from the client.

(n) A licensee shall not use fraud, misrepresentation or deception in obtaining a massage therapy license, in renewing a license, in passing a massage therapy license examination, in assisting another to obtain a license or pass a license examination, in providing massage therapy services, or in conducting any other activity related to the practice of massage therapy.

(o) A licensee shall cooperate with any inspection or investigation conducted by the Board.

(p) Upon request, licensee shall produce proof of licensure and photo ID.

(q) It shall constitute unprofessional conduct for a licensee to plead guilty, nolo contendere, be convicted of, or receive a deferred sentence for a crime that has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability of the licensee to perform one or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the practice of massage therapy. Such crimes shall include, but are not be limited to, prostitution, human trafficking, sexual assault, crimes of violence against a person, robbery, larceny, money laundering, or fraud committed in billing or charging for massage services.

(r) It shall constitute unprofessional conduct for a licensee to violate any provision of the Massage Therapy Practice Act or any rule of the Board.

(s) A licensee shall report to the Board any disciplinary action taken against the licensee in another jurisdiction.

Okla. Admin. Code § 175:20-9-1

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 35, Issue 24, September 4, 2018, eff. 9/14/2018

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 23, August 15, 2019, eff. 8/25/2019