Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 194-1-3 - Requirements for Licensure3.1. Application for licensure.3.1.a. The Board shall furnish any person requesting an application for a license or temporary permit the necessary forms, and any other information or questionnaires required by the Board;3.1.b. The application forms shall be designed to require the information necessary to satisfy the Board that all requirements pertaining to the W. Va. Code are being fulfilled; and shall require the applicant to provide the following: 3.1.b.1. All relevant personal information as determined by the Board;3.1.b.2. An official transcript proving graduation from a program of massage therapy education approved by a state agency in another state, the District of Columbia or a United States territory which approves educational programs, and which meets qualifications for the National Certification Exam administered through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork prior to February 1, 2015 or the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical Colleges, West Virginia Department of Education or any Board approved massage education both requiring a diploma from an accredited high school or the equivalent and completion of at least six hundred twenty-five (625) hours of supervised academic training;3.1.b.3. Proof of the successful completion of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) exam prior to February 1, 2015; and3.1.b.4. All applicable fees as set forth in 194CSR4;3.1.c. A license expires two (2) years from the end of the month it was issued.3.2. Renewal of License. Licensees applying for renewal shall complete the application form provided by the Board with the following: 3.2.a. Personal information;3.2.b. The fee required by the Board 194CSR4; and3.2.c. Documentation of completion of twenty four (24) continuing education units within the preceding two (2) year licensing period that adhere to the NCBTMB, Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) or Board approved guidelines.3.3. Lapsed Licenses. 3.3.a. If any licensee fails for a period of thirty days after his or her license expires to apply to the Board for a renewal of his or her license, the Board shall send notification of the required renewal to the last known address of the licensee. If the licensee fails to apply to the Board for a renewal of his or her license within thirty days after receipt of the notification, the Board shall remove his or her name from the register of licensees and the license shall be considered lapsed.3.3.b. In order for any licensee whose name has been removed from the register of the Board to again become licensed, the licensee shall appear personally before the Board, or an authorized committee of the Board, to show cause for permitting the license to lapse. If the person submits to the Board satisfactory reasons for allowing the license to lapse and satisfies the Board as to his or her qualifications to practice the profession, the Board shall reinstate that person upon payment of a reinstatement fee plus the renewal fee.3.3.c. In lapsed license cases the Board determines necessary, the Board shall require the licensee to comply with all renewal license requirements, and may require a licensee whose license has lapsed to comply with the initial license requirements set forth by W. Va. Code § 30-37-1, et seq., and by rule.3.4. The Board may issue a reciprocal license to applicants otherwise qualified for licensure in West Virginia.3.5. A massage therapist licensed outside of West Virginia applying for reciprocal West Virginia licensure, shall complete the application forms provided by the Board with the following:3.5.a. Personal information;3.5.b. A photocopy of his or her current or most recent license;3.5.c. Any information regarding any pending or prior investigations or disciplinary actions pertaining to his or her licensure. This shall include statements from any and all states in which the applicant is currently or formerly licensed;3.5.d. Documentation of the applicant's continuing education units (CEU'S) completed in the last two (2) years; and3.5.e. For an applicant who is Nationally Certified, a photocopy of his or her current National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork certificate.3.6. Massage therapists applying for a renewal or reciprocal license shall meet the current standards for continuing education hours required by the Board and offered by approved providers for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, (ABMP)and any other Board approved provider. Failure to comply with the current standards for continuing education as required by the Board is grounds for revocation or suspension under the provisions of this rule.3.7. An applicant who applies for a license in West Virginia and who is not licensed in any other state, the District of Columbia or a United States territory or any other country or province shall meet the requirements as set forth in this rule.3.8. All licensees and those applicants who apply for a license in West Virginia are required to keep or have a record of continuing education units including the title, (workshop, etc.), the date, place, number of hours of instruction, instructor's name, sponsor of the class, and the person to call to verify attendance (sponsoring group or instructor). The Board may audit a certain number of licensees every two (2) years, and may ask applicants to provide the information listed in this subsection.3.9. Applicants for licensure who have completed a program of massage therapy two years or more prior to making application for licensure shall additionally be required to complete and provide proof of completion of all continuing educational requirements as if the applicant had been licensed by the Board during the time prior to the submission of the applicant's application for licensure.3.10. The Board may audit any applicant to verify credentials or request information.3.11. Each licensee shall publicly display his or her current valid license at his or her primary work site. A duplicate license, issued by the Board, shall be displayed at his or her secondary place of employment.3.12. The Board may at any time inspect the place of employment of the licensee.3.13. If an applicant fails to complete all forms and to provide all information as required by an application for licensure or renewal of licensure, the Board may reject and return the application to the applicant.3.14. The Board shall grant a license to any applicant who meets all the requirements set forth in this rule.3.14.a. The Board may suspend, revoke or impose probationary conditions on a licensee who fails to comply with the requirements of this rule.3.14.b. A license shall include at least the following information: the licensee's full name; the date of issuance; the seal of West Virginia; the license number; and the signature of the chairperson or the secretary of the Board.