Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 627.14 - Unlawful practice(a) General rule.--Except as set forth in section 13(1) and (2) , an individual may not practice massage therapy or hold oneself out as a massage therapist unless licensed by the board.(b) Title.--An individual who holds a license or is maintained on inactive status may use the title "Licensed Massage Therapist" and the abbreviation "L.M.T." No other individual may use the title "Licensed Massage Therapist" or the title "Massage Therapist" or hold oneself out to others as a massage therapist. This subsection includes advertising as a massage therapist and adopting or using any title or description, including massage therapist, massage practitioner, masseur, masseuse, myotherapist or a derivative of those terms and their related abbreviations, which implies directly or indirectly that massage services are being provided.(c) Employment.--An individual, corporation, partnership, firm or other entity may not employ an individual in massage therapy unless the individual is licensed by the board.(d) Terminology.--Except as set forth in section 13(1), a business entity may not utilize in connection with a business name or activity the words, "massage," "massage therapist," "massage practitioner," "masseur," "masseuse," "myotherapist" or any derivative of these terms and their related abbreviations, which implies directly or indirectly that massage therapy services are being provided, unless the services of the business are provided by licensees.(e) Injunction.--It shall be unlawful for any person to practice or attempt to offer to practice massage therapy as defined in this act without having, at the time of so doing, a valid, unexpired, unrevoked and unsuspended license issued under this act. The unlawful practice may be enjoined by the courts on petition of the board or the commissioner. In any such proceeding, it shall not be necessary to show that any person is individually injured by the actions complained of. If it is determined that the respondent has engaged in the unlawful practice, the court shall enjoin the respondent from so practicing unless and until the respondent has been duly licensed. Procedure in such cases shall be the same as in any other injunction suit. The remedy by injunction hereby given is in addition to any other civil or criminal prosecution and punishment.(f) Remedy cumulative.--The injunctive remedy provided in this section shall be in addition to any other civil or criminal prosecution and punishment.2008, Oct. 9, P.L. 1438, No. 118, §14, effective in 2 years [ 10/12/2010].