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.
“Client” means any person with whom the school has an agreement to provide 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.
“Massage therapy” means performance for compensation of massage, myotherapy, massotherapy, bodywork, bodywork therapy, or therapeutic massage including hydrotherapy, superficial hot and cold applications, vibration and topical applications, or other therapy which involves manipulation of the muscle and connective tissue of the body, excluding osseous tissue, to treat the muscle tonus system for the purpose of enhancing health, providing muscle relaxation, increasing range of motion, reducing stress, relieving pain, or improving circulation.
645—132.2(152C) Application for approval of massage therapy education curriculum.
	132.2(1) From October 31, 2007, through June 30, 2008, both in-state and out-of-state massage therapy schools may apply for curriculum approval. Beginning July 1, 2008, only in-state massage therapy schools may request curriculum approval or reapproval. Massage therapy schools seeking curriculum approval shall submit the application and fees in accordance with the requirements of subrule 132.2(3). The curriculum approval shall be valid for up to two years with reapplication for approval due June 30 of each even-numbered year. The biennial renewal cycle shall begin July 1 of an even-numbered year and end June 30 two years later. Schools that receive curriculum approval within six months prior to the start of the next biennial renewal cycle shall not need to reapply for curriculum approval until the following even-numbered year.
	132.2(2) The board-approved application form and Curriculum Criteria and Documentation form for schools providing a massage therapy curriculum shall be obtained from the board’s Web site, www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure, or directly from the board office.
	132.2(3) Applications and fees shall be submitted to the Board of Massage Therapy, Professional Licensure Division, Fifth Floor, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075. The application for curriculum approval shall include all of the following:
	a. 	A completed board-approved application form;
	b. 	The curriculum approval application fee as specified in 645—Chapter 135;
	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(4) Beginning June 30, 2008, the board shall conduct curriculum reviews only for in-state massage therapy schools. Out-of-state school curriculum shall 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(5) 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(6) 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 500 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.
645—132.3(152C) Curriculum requirements. An approved curriculum shall include but not be limited to the following content areas:
	1.	Fundamentals of massage therapy.
	2.	Clinical application of massage and bodywork therapies.
	3.	Client communication theory and practice.
	4.	Health care referral theory and practice.
	5.	Anatomy and physiology.
	6.	Kinesiology.
	7.	Pathology and skills in infection control, injury prevention and sanitation.
	8.	Iowa law and ethics.
	9.	Business management, including legal and financial aspects, documentation and record maintenance.
	10.	Wellness and healthy lifestyle theory and practice in such areas as hydrotherapy, hot and cold applications, spa techniques, nutrition, herbal studies, wellness models, somatic movement and energy work.
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.
	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 shall include the structure and function of the human body and common pathologies.
	132.4(4) The clinical practicum shall not exceed 100 hours of a 500-hour program.
645—132.5(152C) School certificate or diploma. Upon successful completion of a school’s course of study, the student shall be awarded a certificate or diploma, which shall identify the legal name of the graduate, the name of the program, the graduation date, and the degree or certificate awarded.
645—132.6(152C) School records retention. Records documenting the student’s completion of the curriculum shall be maintained for two years following the student’s graduation date. In the event of school closure, the board shall be notified of the location of the records.
645—132.7(152C) Massage school curriculum compliance.
	132.7(1) A school shall maintain curriculum records and shall make the records available to the board upon request.
	132.7(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.
	132.7(3) For each student who successfully completes curriculum requirements, the school shall provide the student an official transcript that includes the student’s legal name and date of graduation.
645—132.8(152C) Denial or withdrawal of approval.
	132.8(1) The board shall deny approval of a school curriculum if the curriculum does not meet the requirements of this chapter.
	132.8(2) The board shall withdraw approval of an approved school curriculum if the board determines that the curriculum no longer meets the requirements of this chapter.
	132.8(3) The board shall 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. Requests for curriculum approval reconsideration must be submitted in writing and include any evidence the school believes supports its belief that all requirements of this chapter are met. The board in its sole discretion shall determine whether to grant such a request.
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]