HF 2178 (LSB 5744YH (4) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2178

BY  BARKER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the practice of reflexology.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 147.13, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  For medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, acupuncture, reflexology, and genetic counseling, the board of medicine.
    Sec. 2.  Section 147.74, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  29.  A reflexologist certified pursuant to chapter 148K may use the words “certified reflexologist” after the person’s name.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  148K.1  Definitions.
   As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
   1.  “Board” means the board of medicine established in chapter 147.
   2.  “Reflexologist” means a person who is engaged in the practice of reflexology.
   3.  “Reflexology” means a protocol of manual techniques, including thumb-walking and finger-walking, hook and backup, and rotating-on-a-point, that are applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands of an individual who is fully clothed except for footwear, to activate the complex neural pathways linking body systems and support the body’s efforts to function optimally. “Reflexology” does not include the diagnosis of or treatment for specific diseases, or joint manipulations.
    Sec. 4.  NEW SECTION.  148K.2  Reflexology —— certification.
   1.  An applicant for a reflexologist certification shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board that includes all of the following:
   a.  Evidence of an active certification from the American reflexology certification board, or its successor organization.
   b.  Evidence of successful completion of a reflexology education program as described in section 148K.3 and approved by the board by rule.
   c.  Evidence of successful completion of a psychometrically valid reflexology exam approved by the board by rule.
   d.  Any other information required by the board by rule.
   e.  An application fee as provided by the board by rule.
   2.  An applicant for a reflexologist certification must meet all of the following requirements:
   a.  Be at least eighteen years of age.
   b.  Have no history of adverse actions on a professional or occupational license during the two years immediately preceding the submission of the application.
   c.  Submit to a criminal history check.
   3.  Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2, the board shall issue a reflexologist certification to an applicant who completes an application as provided by the board by rule, submits evidence of having completed an education program that is substantially similar to the education program described in section 148K.3, and submits evidence of a current and active reflexologist certification in another state or territory of the United States.
    Sec. 5.  NEW SECTION.  148K.3  Reflexology —— educational requirements.
   1.  A reflexology education program shall consist of a minimum of two hundred credit hours and shall include instruction on all of the following:
   a.  Anatomy and physiology of the body systems.
   b.  Anatomy and biomechanics as they relate to the study of the lower legs, feet, hands, forearms, and outer ears.
   c.  Reflexology maps, reflexology techniques, and reflexes as anatomically reflected on the feet, hands, and outer ears.
   d.  Critical thinking as applied to assessment, pathologies, contraindications, medical consideration, the interrelatedness of body systems, organ function, and health.
   e.  Reflexology theory, history, and research.
   f.  Business practices, including ethics, business standards, record keeping, security, and local and state laws.
   g.  Supervised practicum or clinical work that provides hands-on palpation of landmarks and reflex points with sensory identification of palpated areas.
   2.  A reflexology education program may include additional coursework on documenting client reflexology sessions, instructor or classroom discussions of client sessions, and other coursework that provides for practical experience.
   3.  Instruction on reflexology maps, reflexology techniques, and reflexes as anatomically reflected on the feet, hands, and outer ears shall be performed by an instructor certified by the American reflexology certification board, or its successor organization.
    Sec. 6.  NEW SECTION.  148K.4  Examination —— waiver.
   1.  An applicant who fails to pass a reflexology exam as approved by the board by rule may retake the examination up to two additional times. The board may require an applicant who has failed three examinations to complete further educational coursework prior to retaking the examination.
   2.  a.  The board may waive the examination required in section 148K.2, subsection 1, paragraph “c”, for an applicant who does all of the following:
   (1)  Submits a completed application form as provided by the board by rule.
   (2)  Provides evidence of completion of an approved reflexology education program described in section 148K.3.
   (3)  Provides evidence that the applicant has practiced reflexology as part of the applicant’s occupation for the five years immediately preceding the effective date of this Act.
   (4)  Submits an application fee as provided by the board by rule.
   b.  This subsection is repealed effective July 1, 2028.
    Sec. 7.  NEW SECTION.  148K.5  Certification —— renewal —— fees.
   1.  A certification issued pursuant to section 148K.2 is valid for a period of two years and expires on the date of birth of the reflexologist.
   2.  The board shall impose the following fees for the issuance and renewal of a reflexology certification:
   a.  For issuance of an initial certification, fifty dollars.
   b.  For renewal of a certification, forty dollars.
   c.  For renewal of a certification within three months after expiration, sixty-five dollars.
   d.  For reissuance of an expired certification, sixty-five dollars.
   e.  For issuance of an official certification to a third party, ten dollars.
   f.  For issuance of a duplicate certification to a certificate holder, ten dollars.
    Sec. 8.  NEW SECTION.  148K.6  Rules.
   The board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the administration of this chapter.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the practice of reflexology, defined in the bill as a protocol of manual techniques applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands of an individual. 
   The bill requires the board of medicine (board) to issue a reflexologist certification to an applicant who submits proof of an active certification from the American reflexology certification board, or its successor organization, proof of completion of a reflexology education program approved by the board and described in the bill, proof of completion of an exam approved by the board, any other information required by the board, and an application fee. An applicant must be at least 18 years of age, submit to a criminal history check, and not have been subject to any form of professional or occupational discipline within the two years immediately preceding the submission of the application. The board shall also issue a certification to a person who has completed an education program that is substantially similar to an education program approved by the board and is certified as a reflexologist in another state or territory of the United States.
   The bill allows a person who has failed a reflexology exam to retake the exam two additional times. The bill also allows the board to require a person who failed the reflexology exam three times to complete further educational coursework prior to taking the exam again. If an applicant has completed an approved reflexology education program and practiced reflexology as part of the applicant’s profession for the last five years, the bill allows the board to waive the reflexology examination requirement. This provision of the bill is repealed effective July 1, 2028.
   The bill establishes fees for the issuance and renewal of a reflexology certification. The bill requires the board to adopt rules for the administration of the bill.