CHAPTER 132
MASSAGE THERAPY EDUCATION CURRICULUM
[Prior to 6/26/02, see 645—130.5(152C)]
645—132.1(152C) Definitions.
“Approved curriculum” means that the massage therapy education course of study meets the criteria specified in this chapter and has been approved by the board of massage therapy.
“Board” means the board of massage therapy.
“Clinical practicum” means hands-on massage therapy provided to members of the public by a student who is enrolled at a massage therapy school and is under the supervision of an instructor who is an Iowa-licensed massage therapist, is physically present on the premises and is available for advice and assistance. “Clinical practicum” does not include classroom practice.
“Course of study” means a series of classroom courses, not including continuing education, which is approved by the board as having a unified purpose in training individuals toward a certificate, degree or diploma in the practice of massage therapy.
[ARC 8052C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]
645—132.2(152C) Application for approval of massage therapy education curriculum.
	132.2(1) Applications for curriculum approval of in-state massage therapy schools will be submitted online with the accompanying fee. Curriculum approval is valid for up to two years with reapplication for approval due June 30 of each even-numbered year. The biennial renewal cycle begins July 1 of an even-numbered year and ends June 30 two years later. Schools that receive curriculum approval within six months prior to the start of the next biennial renewal cycle do not need to reapply for curriculum approval until the following even-numbered year.
	132.2(2) The application for curriculum approval includes the following:
	a. 	A completed board-approved application form;
	b. 	The curriculum approval application fee as specified in 645—Chapter 4;
	c. 	A completed Curriculum Criteria and Documentation form;
	d. 	The current school catalog, including name of the program(s), a description of the curriculum delivery system, course descriptions, and program accreditation or approval by other professional entities; and
	e. 	A sample diploma and a sample transcript that identify the name of the graduate, name of the program, graduation date, and the degree, diploma or certificate awarded.
	132.2(3) Out-of-state school curriculum will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis upon receipt of the curriculum as a part of an individual’s application for licensure to practice massage therapy in the state of Iowa.
	132.2(4) Massage therapy schools that do not renew curriculum approval by the expiration date shall be removed from the board’s list of approved curriculum providers until such time that they comply with curriculum approval requirements.
	132.2(5) Schools that apply for curriculum approval shall, at a minimum, provide a curriculum that meets the requirements of this chapter, offer a course of study of at least 600 clock hours or the equivalent in academic credit hours, and require for entrance into the massage therapy school graduation from high school or its equivalent.
[ARC 8052C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]
645—132.3(152C) Curriculum requirements. An approved curriculum will include but not be limited to the following content areas:
	1.	Massage theory and principles.
	2.	Massage professional practices.
	3.	The therapeutic relationship.
	4.	Anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
	5.	Assessment and documentation.
	6.	Massage and bodywork application.
	7.	Palpation and movement.
	8.	Adapting sessions for clients.
	9.	Career development.
	10.	Iowa law and professional ethics.
[ARC 8052C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]
645—132.4(152C) Student clinical practicum standards.
	132.4(1) The school must provide clinical practicum hours at the school’s primary location or an event sponsored by the school.
	132.4(2) At all times when the student delivers physical contact with the public or other students, a clinical instructor/supervisor who is an Iowa-licensed massage therapist shall be personally in attendance to supervise and evaluate.
	132.4(3) Students shall complete at least 200 hours of coursework in the content areas of fundamentals of massage therapy and assessment that includes indications and contraindications for treatment prior to providing services to the public and beginning the clinical practicum. Included in this 200 hours will be a minimum of 100 hours in anatomy and physiology, which includes the structure and function of the human body and common pathologies.
	132.4(4) The clinical practicum shall not exceed 25 percent of a program’s total required hours.
[ARC 8052C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]
645—132.5(152C) School records retention. Records documenting the student’s completion of the curriculum will be maintained for two years following the student’s graduation date. In the event of school closure, the board will be notified of the location of the records.
[ARC 8052C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]
645—132.6(152C) Massage school curriculum compliance.
	132.6(1) A school will maintain curriculum records and make the records available to the board upon request.
	132.6(2) A school whose curriculum is approved shall notify the board in writing within 30 days if there is a change of address, a school closing, or a curriculum revision that does not meet the requirements of this chapter.
	132.6(3) Each student who successfully completes curriculum requirements will be awarded a certificate or diploma that includes the student’s legal name, date of graduation, the name of the program, and the degree or certificate awarded. The school will also provide them with an official transcript that includes the student’s legal name and date of graduation.
[ARC 8052C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]
645—132.7(152C) Denial or withdrawal of approval.
	132.7(1) The board will deny or withdraw approval of a school curriculum if the board determines the curriculum does not meet the requirements of this chapter.
	132.7(2) The board will notify the school in writing if the board denies or withdraws curriculum approval. Following denial or withdrawal of approval by the board, the school may request that the board reconsider its decision. The board in its sole discretion shall determine whether to grant such a request.
[ARC 8052C, IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 152C.
[Filed 6/5/02, Notice 1/23/02—published 6/26/02, effective 7/31/02]
[Filed 7/3/03, Notice 4/16/03—published 7/23/03, effective 8/27/03]
[Filed 6/3/04, Notice 3/31/04—published 6/23/04, effective 7/28/04]
[Filed 9/7/07, Notice 7/4/07—published 9/26/07, effective 10/31/07]
[Filed ARC 8052C (Notice ARC 7480C, IAB 1/10/24), IAB 6/12/24, effective 7/17/24]